Hello MMMS,
Just a suggestion, but how about doing your daughter a big favor and planting a tree? I'd site it where it would shade the front of the house for starters. I'm partial to Argentine or Chilean Mesquite. They need some care to get established, but make a great shade tree once they get going, and do fine with the heat. The native honey mesquite don't get very big, so don't give much shade.
It's probably best to plant in the Fall or Winter, should be available at your local nurseries.
re Container plants in hot weather: it's important to keep the roots as cool as possible. Find a way to shade the pot itself, that will help.
