Hanging baskets are a great way to decorate outdoor spaces with beautiful flowers during the warmer months. Choosing the right flowers is key to creating a stunning hanging basket display that will last all season long. When selecting flowers for hanging baskets, there are a few key factors to consider:
Hardiness
Since hanging baskets are exposed to various weather conditions, you’ll want to choose flowers that can withstand heat, wind, rain and some partial shade. Some of the hardiest options include:
- Petunias – Available in a variety of colors, petunias are a popular choice for hanging baskets. The trailing varieties cascade beautifully over the edges.
- Geraniums – These classics come in bold colors and tolerate heat very well.
- Fuchsias – Delicate looking but actually quite hardy, fuchsias add a pop of color with their fancy two-tone blooms.
- Verbena – With clusters of tiny flowers, verbena is great for adding vivid color to your baskets.
- Lantana – Heat and drought tolerant, lantana blooms continuously with brightly colored clusters of flowers.
Sun Exposure
Most flowering plants thrive best in full sun – meaning at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. When choosing the right flowers, pay attention to their light requirements. Some good full sun options include:
- Petunias
- Marigolds
- Zinnias
- Geraniums
- Verbena
- Lantana
If your hanging basket will be in partial shade, go for flowers like:
- Impatiens
- Begonias
- Coleus
- Fuchsia
Trailing Varieties
For hanging baskets, trailing or cascading flower varieties will give you the most full, decorative look. Some top trailing flowers include:
- Petunias – Wave petunias and other trailing varieties spill gorgeously over basket edges.
- Calibrachoa – Also called Million Bells, this petunia look-alike trails and blooms profusely.
- Sweet potato vine – Grown for its decorative foliage, this vine trails up to 3 feet.
- Bacopa – Low growing with tiny white flowers, bacopa cascades in a lovely waterfall effect.
- Scaevola – Fan shaped blue or white flowers cover this Australian native trailing plant.
Drought Resistance
Hanging baskets in sunny spots can dry out quickly, so it’s best to include plants that are drought resistant. Some good options include:
- Portulaca
- Verbena
- Lantana
- Petunias
- Geraniums
- Succulents like sedum
Long Blooming
To maximize the floral display, look for flowers that bloom continuously for months, instead of just a few weeks. Some long bloomers are:
- Petunias
- Fuchsia
- Lantana
- Verbena
- Geraniums
- Impatiens
Colors and Textures
A key to creating an eye-catching hanging basket is to include flowers in a variety of colors and textures. Here are some top picks:
| Color | Texture | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Pastels | Fine, mounded | Petunias, calibrachoa, verbena |
| Bright and bold | Coarse, mounded | Geraniums, marigolds, zinnias |
| Vivid colors | Spiky, vertical | Lantana, celosia, salvia |
| Whites | Trailing, draping | Sweet potato vine, petunias, bacopa |
Combining fine-textured trailing plants with upright, bold flowers creates an appealing, multidimensional look.
Designing Your Hanging Basket
When designing a hanging basket, follow these tips for a beautiful final product:
- Choose a hanging basket with drainage holes and line it with coir or moss liners to help retain moisture.
- Select 3-5 complimentary flower varieties – opt for at least one trailing plant.
- Include “filler” plants like ivy or dracaena spike to add greenery and fullness.
- Arrange the tallest, upright flowers in the center and cascade trailing flowers over the edges.
- Plant flowers close together for a full, dense basket.
- Use 10-12 inch baskets for the best overflowing effect.
- Fertilize plants regularly and water when the top inch of soil is dry.
Recommended Flower Combinations
Some popular combinations for stunning hanging basket designs include:
- Petunias, bacopa, and ivy
- Calibrachoa, verbena, and sweet potato vine
- Geraniums, lantana, and dracaena spike
- Impatiens, fuchsia, and trailing coleus
Petunias are a great base flower to use in combinations since they bloom abundantly all season. Pair them with dracaena, ivy or your other trailing favorites.
Tips for Care
Caring for your hanging baskets throughout the season ensures they will wow you with non-stop color. Follow these maintenance tips:
- Water early in the day – Allow time for excess moisture to evaporate to prevent diseases.
- Water thoroughly – Until it drains from the bottom holes. Use a drip tray to prevent stains below.
- Fertilize regularly – Every 2 weeks with a balanced flower fertilizer following label directions.
- Deadhead spent blooms – To encourage more flowering.
- Watch for pests – Aphids, thrips and spider mites can invade. Hose plants down or use insecticidal soap.
- Trim back wayward growths – To keep your basket looking neat and full.
Overwintering Your Baskets
In areas with cold winters, you’ll have to bring hanging baskets indoors or toss the annuals and replant next year. Here are a few overwintering options:
- Take cuttings from plants like fuchsia and geraniums to propagate new plants indoors.
- Dig up portable plants like trailing coleus and bring indoors until spring.
- Leave evergreen permanent plants like ivy in the basket and move it to a protected area.
With some planning, you can save money and reuse your favorite hanging baskets for multiple years.
Top Annuals for Hanging Baskets
Here is a quick list of the best annual flowers for hanging baskets in a variety of sun conditions:
Full Sun
- Petunias
- Calibrachoa
- Verbena
- Geraniums
- Lantana
- Marigolds
- Zinnias
- Portulaca
Partial Sun
- Impatiens
- Fuchsias
- Begonias
- Coleus
- Bacopa
Conclusion
With so many flower varieties to choose from, it’s fun to experiment with different combinations in your hanging baskets. Look for trailing varieties, heat tolerance, and continuous bloomers. Petunias, calibrachoa, verbena and lantana are excellent choices for sun. Impatiens and begonias add shade options. Proper watering, fertilizing, and trimming keeps your baskets thriving all season long. With a little TLC, your hanging flower baskets will become the jewel in the garden crown!
