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How to Choose and Grow the Best Flowers
Hanging baskets are a great way to add color and beauty to your porch, patio, or balcony. They can also attract butterflies and hummingbirds to your outdoor space. But how do you choose the best flowers for hanging baskets? And how do you care for them?
In this article, we will answer these questions and give you some tips and ideas for creating stunning hanging baskets with different types of flowers.
When to Plant Hanging Baskets
The best time to plant hanging baskets depends on your climate and the type of flowers you want to grow. Generally, you should wait until the last frost date in your area before planting outdoor hanging baskets. This is usually in mid-spring, around April or May in most regions.
However, some hanging basket flowers can tolerate cooler temperatures better than others. For example, pansies, violas, primroses, and lobelias can handle light frosts and can be planted earlier in the spring. On the other hand, tropical flowers like begonias, fuchsias, lantanas, and petunias prefer warm weather and should be planted later in the spring or early summer.
You can also grow hanging basket flowers indoors if you have a sunny window or a grow light. Indoor hanging baskets can be planted any time of the year, as long as you provide them with enough light and water.
How to Care for Hanging Baskets
Hanging baskets require some special care to keep them healthy and blooming. Here are some basic tips for caring for hanging basket flowers:
- Use a good-quality potting mix that is light, airy, and well-drained. Avoid using garden soil, which is too heavy and may contain diseases or pests.
- Choose a hanging basket that is large enough to accommodate the roots of your plants and has drainage holes at the bottom. Wire baskets lined with coco coir or moss are a good option because they hold moisture well and allow air circulation.
- Water your hanging basket regularly and thoroughly. The potting mix should be moist but not soggy. Check the soil daily and water more often during hot or windy weather. You can also use a moisture meter or your finger to test the soil moisture level.
- Feed your hanging basket flowers with a balanced liquid fertilizer every week or two during the growing season. Follow the label directions for the dosage and frequency. You can also add some slow-release fertilizer granules or organic compost to the potting mix at planting time.
- Deadhead your hanging basket flowers regularly to remove faded or wilted blooms. This will encourage more flowering and prevent seed formation, which can reduce blooming.
- Prune your hanging basket flowers as needed to maintain their shape and size. You can trim back leggy or overgrown stems or pinch off the tips of new growth to promote bushiness.
- Watch out for pests and diseases that may affect your hanging basket flowers. Some common problems include aphids, spider mites, whiteflies, fungal diseases, and bacterial diseases. You can use insecticidal soap, neem oil, or other organic remedies to treat them.
Best Flowers for Hanging Baskets
There are many types of flowers that are suitable for hanging baskets. Some are trailing or cascading, which create a waterfall effect over the edge of the basket. Others are upright or mounding, which add height and fullness to the center of the basket.
You can choose one type of flower for a simple and elegant look, or mix different types of flowers for a more colorful and diverse look. You can also combine flowers with foliage plants like ivy, ferns, or coleus for extra interest and texture.
Here are some of the best flowers for hanging baskets:
Begonia: Begonias are versatile flowers that come in many colors, shapes, and sizes. They can tolerate sun or shade and have tubular, pendulous flowers that resemble fuchsias. Some good varieties for hanging baskets include Begonia boliviensis, Nonstop Mocca series, Dragon Wing series, and Illumination series.
Fuchsia: Fuchsias are stunning flowers that have bell-shaped blooms in various colors, often bicolors. They prefer cool, moist conditions and partial shade. They attract butterflies and hummingbirds with their nectar-rich flowers. Some good varieties for hanging baskets include ‘Astoria’, ‘Jupiter’, or ‘Surprise’.
Lantana: Lantanas are tropical flowers that have clusters of small, fragrant blooms in various colors. They can handle heat and humidity well and are drought-tolerant once established. They attract butterflies and hummingbirds with their nectar. Some good varieties for hanging baskets include ‘Patriot Popcorn’, ‘Patriot Rainbow’, ‘Gold Mound’, and ‘Bandana’ series.
Lobelia: Lobelias are delicate flowers that have tiny, tubular blooms in shades of blue, purple, pink, or white. They prefer cool, moist conditions and partial shade. They create a carpet of color over the edge of the basket. Some good varieties for hanging baskets include ‘Regatta’ series, ‘Techno Heat’ series, and ‘Laguna’ series.
Million Bells: Million bells are also known as calibrachoa or mini petunias. They have trumpet-shaped flowers in a wide range of colors and patterns. They can tolerate sun or shade and are drought-tolerant once established. They bloom profusely from spring to fall and do not need deadheading. Some good varieties for hanging baskets include ‘Superbells’ series, ‘Cabaret’ series, and ‘Can-Can’ series.
Pansy: Pansies are cheerful flowers that have flat, round blooms with a “face” pattern in the center. They come in many colors and bicolors and can bloom in cool or warm weather. They add a splash of color to the basket in early spring or late fall. Some good varieties for hanging baskets include ‘Cool Wave’ series, ‘Matrix’ series, and ‘Majestic Giant’ series.
Petunia: Petunias are classic flowers that have funnel-shaped blooms in various colors and patterns. They can handle sun or shade and are drought-tolerant once established. They bloom abundantly from spring to fall and need regular deadheading. Some good varieties for hanging baskets include ‘Wave’ series, ‘Supertunia’ series, and ‘Surfinia’ series.
Portulaca: Portulacas are also known as moss roses or sun roses. They have succulent leaves and bright, colorful flowers that resemble roses. They thrive in hot, dry conditions and full sun. They open their flowers during the day and close them at night. Some good varieties for hanging baskets include ‘Happy Hour’ series, ‘Sundial’ series, and ‘Margarita’ series.
Sweet Alyssum: Sweet alyssums are fragrant flowers that have tiny, star-shaped blooms in white, pink, purple, or yellow. They prefer cool, moist conditions and partial shade. They create a mound of color and scent over the edge of the basket. Some good varieties for hanging baskets include ‘Snow Princess’, ‘Easter Bonnet’ series, and ‘Wonderland’ series.
Verbena: Verbenas are vibrant flowers that have clusters of small, tubular blooms in various colors. They can handle heat and drought well and are disease-resistant. They attract butterflies and hummingbirds with their nectar. Some good varieties for hanging baskets include ‘Superbena’ series, ‘Tukana’ series, and ‘Lanai’ series.
These are just some of the best flowers for hanging baskets that you can try in your garden. You can also experiment with other types of flowers that suit your taste and style. The key is to choose plants that have similar growing requirements and complement each other in color, shape, and size.
Hanging baskets are a fun and easy way to add beauty and charm to your outdoor space. With some creativity and care, you can enjoy stunning displays of flowers all season long.
