It depends on the size of the pots. No-one can properly advise you without that information.

Most trees apart from Japanese maples grow too big for a pot, so a shrub might be better. There are so many to choose from that your best plan might be to visit your local Garden Centre, see what flowers/foliage you like, and maybe chat to a member of staff about care.

Height, width and depth measurements please, and are these pots going to be kept in sun or shade or a mix of both? Which USDA zone are you in?

Hi Texastom12 I'm assuming you get the full Texas sun on your patio. I also have 3 12 inch pots on my patio. I went with Fire & Ice dahlias (red & white) growing up through the center of the pots with blue lobelias planted around the perimeter that will cascade down with bright blue flowers.

They will be in full bloom in time for my July 4th celebration. Dahlias & Lobelia bloom all summer. They come in various different colors as well.

It might be a good idea to put a plastic lining in the pots to cut down evaporation - remember to cut a hole at the bottom for drainage. Compost in terracotta dries out very quickly in hot sun.

If they are small pots--less than 18" wide and deep--annual or perennial flowers would be best. Larger pots could support small shrubs or what are called "patio trees", which are shrubs trained to a lollipop tree shape. I would check with your local County Extension office for lists of suitable plants and planting dates. Guesstimating where you are, I would plant Zinnias, Vincas (Catharanthus roseus), Pentas, dwarf Lantanas, and Melampodium paludosum as annuals. Perennials would include Gaillardias, Rudbeckias, Coreopsis grandiflorus hybrids, Gaura, and Penstemon gloxinioides. Shrubs could include Floribunda roses, dwarf Yaupon, Japanese Euonymus, Japanese Spiraea, dwarf Crape Myrtle, dwarf Buddleja davidii, and Gardenias, especially 'Veitchii'.