When you want to add height to your garden, to soften a harsh exterior or add a focal point, or floral splash to an urban setting, nothing quite does it like a hanging basket. They can be designed to look elegant or casual, traditional or whimsical, with a wide variety of arching and trailing plants cascading over the rim. And to top if off, it is simple and easy to do!
Hanging baskets need some type of liner on the inside to prevent the soil from leaking out when watered. It can be as simple as a piece of plastic cut to fit and placed inside a mossed basket. Or try the popular coconut mat liners sold in many garden centers. They come in a range of sizes to fit most varieties of hanging baskets.
No matter what type of basket you use, it is important to use a good soil mix. Supplement with a slow-release fertilizer and water retaining granules, and you have a recipe for success. The list of plants that can be used in hanging baskets is long and diverse. From annuals and perennials, to herbs, groundcovers, houseplants and other tropicals. Tall, upright plants can center the basket while arching and trailing varieties spill beautifully over the edge. And be sure to include scented plants when planning a hanging basket for fragrance at the tip of your nose.
Some suggested plants you can use for a hanging basket that is a knock out whether indoors or out, include: verbena, lantana, strawberry, vinca, petunia, fuchsia, miniature rose, trailing rosemary, lemon thyme, geranium, violas, lavender, ivy, sweet alyssum, dianthus, spider or airplane plant, pothos, and many, many more.
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• Find a suitable lightweight plant container, experimenting with traditional and non-traditional vessels. That garage sale egg basket might become the perfect hanging basket. Be sure it has sufficient drainage, or drill a hole to create it.
• Use a good fast draining, moisture retaining soil mix. Regular garden soil is too dense and heavy for hanging basket use. Prepackaged soilless potting mixes are great for this purpose.
• Hanging baskets need regular fertilizing since the increased watering leaches out nutrients from the potting mix.
• Line the basket with coconut fiber liner or , and partially fill with potting mix.
• Add fertilizer and water-retaining granules for an extra boost.
• Begin adding plant material, keeping taller plants in the back or center depending on whether the basket will hang free form or against a wall.
• Place trailing plants near the outer edge to cascade over the rim for stunning visual effect.
• Add potting mix as you go, firmly filling in around each plant so there are no air pockets.
• Water in completely after planting. Container plants dry out faster than those in the ground and must be watered more frequently. Apply water over the entire soil surface until it runs out of the drainage hole.
• Enjoy your new living work of art.
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