Hanging plants are a simple way to make use of vertical space on a porch, patio, or out in the garden. Some species are better adapted than others for this purpose, especially those that have cascading foliage.
Setting Up a Hanging Garden
There are a few key differences between a typical potted garden and plants that are hung. The first thing to consider is the type of container that will be used.
Hanging Plant Holders and Materials
Hanging baskets are typically made of metal wire or plastic, though there are wooden varieties available, especially for mounting on a wall.
Metal baskets need to be lined with either sphagnum moss or coconut coir, but often come pre-lined. These are very attractive but tend to dry out more quickly than the solid containers.
You can also seek out specialty hanging planters that add their own flair. Look for things like:
- Hanging baskets made of wicker
- Planting pouches that allow plants to grow out the sides and bottom
- Sculptural hanging planters in metal or ceramic
- Thematic designs, such as rustic wooden planters for cottage gardens, Victorian planters for use in homes with historic touches, or sleek designs that fit with a contemporary home landscape - they even come in zebra designs
- Seasonal variations, such as the decorative hanging baskets with poinsettia at Christmas or hearts for Valentine's Day
Planting
If lining a basket with moss, wet the material first and then spread a half to one inch layer, making sure the entire basket is covered so that soil does not spill through. Otherwise, fill the basket to within one inch of the top with a lightweight potting mix and choose your plant materials.
Place upright, non-trailing plants at the center of the basket and low growing and trailing plants around the edges. If the top of the basket will be above eye level, it is customary to only use trailing plants, as these will conceal the container as they grow - upright species won't be very visible anyway.
Installation
Wall-mounted planters typically come with brackets to install them, but for a hanging basket you may need to buy something to hang it from - use a simple eye screw to hang from a horizontal surface or an L-shaped bracket to attach it to a vertical surface.
To use hanging baskets out in the open where there is nothing to mount to, most garden centers sell decorative metal poles that push easily into the ground and provide a hook to hang things on, whether a bird feeder, wind chimes or hanging plants.
There may be existing objects in the landscape that they can be hung from, as well, such as the limbs of small trees.
Special Care
Care of hanging plants is not significantly different than for other potted plants except that they tend to dry out even faster, as they are exposed to desiccating winds on all sides. Check the soil moisture daily from spring through fall and water them until it runs out the bottom if they are even a bit dry.
All that watering means nutrients are leached out quickly, so it's best to give a low dose of liquid fertilizer every two weeks or use slow release fertilizer tablets right in the soil.
If the soil in a hanging basket is completely dry it will become hydrophobic, making it difficult to saturate with a hose or watering can. Instead, remove the basket and submerge it in a bucket of water until it is completely rehydrated.
Preferred Varieties
Choose your hanging basket plants according to the season and whether or not you want to include upright species or perennials.
Cool Season
Plant these in early spring or early fall for cool weather color.
- Pansies don't spill more than few inches over the side of a basket, but they are unbeatable for the range of colors available.
- Lobelia's electric blue, pink, and white varieties are all dazzling as they spill out of a hanging basket.
- Fuchsias are classic hanging basket specimens that are technically perennials, but usually decline in the heat of summer.
Warm Season
Plant these hanging baskets in early summer for season long blooms.
- Petunias are trailing annuals that come in dozens of colors which can be combined for a dramatic effect in hanging baskets.
- Sweet potato vine is a vining foliage plant that comes in chartreuse, chocolate, and burgundy tones.
- Bacopa is a white-flowered hanging basket staple that drapes two feet or more over the edge of a basket.
Vertical Accents
Plant these in the center of a hanging basket.
- Sedges range in color from bright green to buff to golden orange and are grass-like plants that add a light and airy feel.
- Salvias are great for attracting hummingbirds and there are salvias of all sizes and colors.
- Ferns are the best choice for simple green accents when hanging baskets in shady places.
Perennials
- Use a dwarf variety of heather as an evergreen filler.
- Creeping Jenny is an easy to grow favorite for hanging baskets with chartreuse foliage that drapes gracefully to a foot or more in length
- Ivy are petit, long-lived vines are bomb proof for hanging baskets in shady places and can be plain or variegated.
Simple and Effective
There is no reason why plants should be confined to the ground. Think big and bold when designing a potted garden and take the simple extra step of including a few hanging plants.
