Designing a hanging basket can be as simple as choosing a single type of plant, as complex as an array of foliage, texture, and color, or anything in between. Hanging baskets add color and charm to outdoor spaces and are easy to maintain.
The biggest challenge of growing beautiful hanging baskets is keeping them from drying out. Drought tolerant hens and chicks require next to no watering. Succulents make an unusual yet attractive hanging baskets, especially when trailing and cluster succulents are combined.
Many hanging baskets require more frequent watering. In hot weather, it is important to water 12-inch baskets twice a day. This size basket is not large enough to hold enough water on a 90-to-100-degree day. The easiest way to water a smaller basket is to fill a large tub or bucket with water and place the basket in the water to soak it up from the bottom and then hang it back up. If the basket is too heavy simply put a hose in the container and count to 40 or 60 seconds. Be sure to keep the hose or watering can tip near the soil to minimize contact with foliage or flowers.
Frequent watering often drains nutrients from the soil. An easy fertilizer is water used to rinse rice before cooking it. Mix 3:1 parts water to rice and soak for 30 minutes. Instead of pouring the water down the drain, use it to water hanging baskets. Watering hanging baskets once a week with rice water will help keep them healthy and full of blooms. Frequent mini-trims will also help keep the plants full and flowering. Every other week pinch back the longer branches to tighten up the arrangement and encourage more branching and blooming. With any type of pruning, never remove more than one third of the plant at a time.
There are many flowers that do well in hanging baskets. Petunia is the most popular flower. They come in many colors and patterns and they attract humming birds and butterflies. Calibrochoa (Million Bells) also attract butterflies and bees. This is a prolific bloomer on trailing branches up to 18 inches long. Another hummingbird and butterfly favorite are Latana. It has clusters of flower with beautiful green foliage.
A tip that interior and garden designers often use for color selection is to mix colors that jump a couple of spots on the color wheel.
Like us on Facebook – Bulb and Blossom Garden Club.
