Hanging baskets have been popular for summer decorating for many years. They even go back as far as the Hanging Gardens of Babylon. These fantastic gardens were considered as one of the Seven Wonders of the World and the builders certainly knew how to maximize the use of landscaping and plants for garden decor.
Size and Position of your Baskets
Hanging baskets are an attractive way to decorate porches and verandahs with beautiful colors and different plants. Usually the kind of flowers you plant is based upon the position they are in. Baskets in full or part sun will need different plants than baskets that are mainly in the shade.
Use your imagination and personal preferences to decide what flowers to plant. You can go with all one color, mix your colors, use holiday themes or any theme that suits your garden. If you want, you can use all the same flowers in your flower baskets, window boxes and planter stands for a unified look, or mix sizes and colors.
If you are in a warm climate you can start your hanging baskets and planters early and enjoy them for many months. In the UK there’s a saying “ne’er cast a clout till May be out” which basically means, don’t put out your tender summer plants until June.
Try putting hanging baskets in other places besides the front porch. Use a shepherd’s hook with a hanging basket beside your front steps or mailbox. Build an arbor and decorate it with hanging flowers. Frame your sidewalk, patio and entrances with colorful hanging baskets. You can make a stunning display if you take the basic design of your garden into account and use baskets to accentuate your garden decor.
Creating your Hanging Basket
When you are ready to plant, decide what kind of planter you want. Most come within the range of 6 to 12 inches. Larger ones are available but are heavy to lift into position and need very secure fixings. Choose a size that is appropriate for the area where it will hang.
When you have the container, then you are ready to put the moss in the pot. Sphagnum moss used to be the liner of choice because it holds moisture and helps plants grow better. However, it’s now considered more environmentally friendly to use a biodegradable cardboard lining which comes premade in various sizes.
After the moss or cardboard is fitted into the container, then you can add the potting soil and polymers. Potting soil by itself does not hold nutrients, so polymers need to be added periodically. Peat free potting compost is lighter than the traditional peat-based one and there are now several varieties on the market mixed specifically for hanging baskets. A mixture produced for tomato container bags contain extra nutrients which help the flowers to form and give a wonderful display.
When you have the pot prepared, place your flowers in and water them. Plant the largest flowers first and follow with the smaller ones and the fillers. Push the plant roots through from the outside in, through the moss or cardboard, don’t try and force the plant itself through the basket wires.
Some popular flowers that are recommended for hanging baskets are petunias, impatiens, pansies, ferns, ivy, mums, coleus, fuchsias, and many others.
Care of your Baskets
Hanging pots are easy to take care of and many come with an external saucer or an internal disk that holds water, which is then drawn up into the plant. You will probably need to water daily if your baskets are in full sun and there are various systems on the market that allow you to either lower the baskets on a pulley to water them or alternatively reach them easily from the ground. Continue watering and fertilizing through the summer and you will be able to enjoy your beautiful plants the entire season.
Hanging baskets do not take up a lot of room and are pleasing to look at, being at eye level. Start planning your flower gardens now and enjoy a creative, beautiful growing season.
Using Hanging Baskets for Garden Decor
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