Tips For Creating Beautiful Hanging Planter
Baskets
by Scott Gray
Hanging planter baskets require special care, but because they act as unifying forces between outdoors and indoors, and allow you to add colorful focal points and interest at various heights to your planting décor, they are worth a little extra trouble. Exposed to the elements on all sides and often hung under overhangs and eves where they don’t get any rain, they will dry out quickly and you must resolve to water often, especially in hot weather. As well, make sure you have strong hooks and can attach and hang your planters safely.
Containers for Hanging Baskets
When choosing a material for your hanging planters, decide how heavy they can be and still be managed. Will there be a problem lifting and hanging the planter full of wet soil and plants? When choosing colors, decide if your baskets are going to blend in or provide a contrast to plants and surroundings. The weight will also govern the size of container that you can safely manage and suspend.
1. Terracotta – Line unglazed clay pots or you will be watering them two or three times a day in hot weather. As well, terracotta is so heavy that you should choose only small planters.
2. Ceramic – This is a better choice than terracotta because ceramic planters retain moisture well and have great colors and designs, but only small pots are light enough.
2. Plastic pots and bags – Plastic planters and planting bags are light, inexpensive, and retain moisture well.
3. Metal baskets – Wrought iron or welded steel with non-rust coatings are suitable for hanging if they are simple frames with fiber or moss lining. Other choices are small metal planters of light cast aluminum or copper.
4. Fiberglass – This is a great material because it has all the advantages of plastic, but with more attractive textures and finishes.
5. Wood – Check the weight and use a liner to help retain moisture.
6. Half-baskets – These are best hung against walls.
7. Wicker – Wicker baskets are light, but need to be well lined.
Planting Your Hanging Baskets
Decide where your planters are going to hang as that will govern the types of plants you can choose (i.e., for sun or shade). Plan to pack your hanging baskets tightly to ensure a lush growth, but if you start with small bedding plants, make sure the roots have room to grow. Your basket should have good drainage but cover the bottom with gravel so that you don’t lose soil through a drainage hole. If you use a wire basket lined with natural fiber or coco moss, place a little plastic saucer in the bottom to catch some of the water. Use rich potting soil – not soil from the garden – and don’t overfill the basket or every time you water it, soil and water will run off the top and onto your head.
Great Plant Combinations
1. Because hanging planters are never very large, it is best to confine yourself to growing no more than three varieties of plants in each basket.
2. Use a combination of upright, bushy and cascading flowers or vines.
3. Make sure each basket contains all sun-loving plants or all shade lovers so they will be happy together.
4. You can select plants that bloom from spring to fall or have the fun of changing your plants as the seasons change.
5. If you live in a climate where you can keep your planters outdoors in a protected area, select a perennial (e.g., ivy) for your baskets and add one or two colorful annuals each year (e.g., impatiens for shade; trailing petunias for sun).
6. Try color theme planting:
- using three or more kinds of plants of identical color makes a striking design statement
– white is a good choice when surroundings and baskets are brightly colored
– soft pastel choices add charm and romance, and can be complemented with silver foliage (e.g., sliver dust – senecio cineraria)
– vibrant colors add splashes of excitement to drab surroundings and liven up dark corners
7. Don’t forget that hanging baskets can support the growth of vegetables and fruit as well as flower displays – think tomatoes, strawberries, and herbs.
About The Author:
Scott Gray is currently a garden enthusiast and freelance writer who enjoys providing tips to consumers who are in the market for all types of planters including garden wall planters.