Although there are many plants that thrive in hanging baskets, the rules of container gardening still apply: Use a nutrient-rich soil and be sure to allow for drainage; choose plants that are suitable for your climate and for the spot where you plan to hang the basket; and water often—without much soil to retain water, hanging baskets need vigilance or they’ll dry out quickly.
Step One
Supertunia Petunias – Able to shed its old blooms on its own, this breed of petunia comes in many rich shades and will draw hummingbirds and butterflies to your porch.
Step Two
‘Bella’ series Lavender – Any dwarf lavender will add not only its delicate purple shade to a basket but also its soothing scent. These sun-loving plants will thrive near any window — you can’t go wrong!
Step Three
Impatiens – Although many impatiens are falling prey to downy mildew, by putting them in a hanging basket, you can get them out of the ground and out of soil that could harbor the aggressive mold. If you plant them in containers, you can still enjoy the beautiful shades of one of America’s favorite annuals. Try ‘Busy
Step Four
Chrysanthemum – A florist favorite, mums bring cold-weather color to your patio. Try ‘Maroon Pride’ for its deep fall shade or the lemon-lime ‘Minnglow’.
Step Five
Verbena ‘Imagination’ – Bright and deep purple-pink, ‘Imagination’ is just one of many verbenas that make great additions to containers. Give them full sun and keep the soil moist for best results.
Step Six
Trailing Pansies – New on the scene after 10 years of breeding, trailing varieties of pansies do well in baskets and containers. Spreading larger and having deeper color than older pansy varieties, they are also extremely cold hardy — surviving sub-zero temperatures. Be the first on your block to have this recent arrival.