Has anyone ever traied to grow anything in the wooden barrells? I had a tree taken down. I nailed a 1/2 wooden barrell to the tree stump to cover it. I turned the barrell on it's side to give the appearance that flowers were spilling out of the barrell. I cannot seem to get anything to grow inside the barrell. I live in zone 5. Any suggestions on what plants to use for the look I want? I have thought of growing plants outside of the barrell and trailing inside.
Any ideas are welcome!

What plants were you trying to grow in it, and what are the sun conditions? I'm stumped as to why things wouldn't grow unless they just weren't good container plants and weren't for the right sunlight.

Try African daisies, in shades of lilac and purple-they will thrive anywhere it's warm.

If you have it in good sun, perhaps a blackeyed Susan vine? Sure would look pretty growing out of your barrell.

Marleine

It'll depend on the potting soil. Use premium quality potting mix. I have a meyer lemon in a half wine barrel. Ensure there are drainage holes.
Anything you would like to plant will grow there if the soil is suitable

My two cents:

I grow some plants in 1/2 wine barrels. I found that the barrels will last longer when there are drainage holes at the bottom of the barrels and the barrels are used upright. Over time the woods will dry/shrink or misshapen and will pull away from the metal bands.

On it's side, the barrel will probably be filled less than 3/4 full, so there will less soil to push the wood staves against the metal band. There's a chance that the staves with no contact with potting soil will dry out quicker, shrink and pull away from the metal band.

That said,you can try a combination of plants.

For full sun with regular watering:

Black-Eyed Susan [Rudbeckia birta]
Asparagus Fern [Asparagus setaceus]
Floss Flower [Ageratum houstonianum]
Marigold [Tagetes]
Petunia

For part shade with regular watering:

Leatherleaf Fern [Rumobra adiantiformis]
Lilly-of-the Valley [Convallaria majalis]
Variegated Ivy [Hedera helix 'Glacier']

See Longy's post about potting soil.

Longy, do you use regular potting soil for your lemon, or cactus mix?

Deborah, i use premium potting soil in all my pots. I added about 10% compost and maybe some worm castings but a good potting mix should be perfect for most plants. When i say premium, i mean it has all the goodies already added. Ferts, zeolite, other minerals, a gauranteed Ph, manures, Blood and bonemeal etc are already in a good quality mix. Cactus mix will drain a little too well, i think , for something like a fruit tree, though i understand your point. Actually i haven't tried it but i might give it a go.I think cactus mix would be more gravelly than regular mixes right??. If the pot/tub has enough drain holes then the cactus mix shouldn't be necessary.