Suggestions for large, outdoor potted plants on the patio, full sun, in South Louisiana

Hibiscus Tree or plants

Probably not what you have in mind, but you can consider citrus - Improved Meyer lemons, key limes, kumquat - all grow well in containers and produce fruit. Downside, you do have to protect them during the oldest days of winter (hard freeze conditions). I just move mine up against the house, and cover if needed.

Bulbine.

birds of paradise maybe??

Soft yucca w/ ornamental gravel or river rock mulch.

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I just pot planted a Mire Lemon and Persian Lime tree. I have never raised any citrus before. Any suggestions? The lemon is blooming nicely so far and the lime is looking very healthy. Can i expect fruit this year?

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Yes you’ll likely produce fruit, but you’ll likely need to thin many and support limbs as they won’t be able to bear the weight of a heavy crop. After several years the limbs should be able to support heavy fruit loads. Also young citrus trees have a tendency to produce a good crop followed by a poor crop the following year - normal for young citrus, both in the ground and in containers, so anticipate that.

Management - full sun, water as needed, fertilize with CitrusTone or Osmocote, supplemented with a water soluble fertilizer (MiracleGro or equivalent) once a month. After 3 years you probably need to root prune them. Look look online for more tips growing container citrus - many people around the country do it..

I grow mine in 15 gallon containers (18 in dia x 14 in deep) - that is about the max size I can easily drag around the patio when I need to move them against the house on sub-freezing days.

Crown of thorns

I've got some Japanese Loquat coming. Never tried it before, but thought I'd give it a shot this year.