Great Flowers for a Hanging Basket
Planting flowers in hanging baskets can be a great way to spruce up decks and porches without sacrificing space. Though most garden centers and home improvement stores have ready-made hanging baskets full of beautiful flowers, they're often quite expensive. If you decide to create your own hanging basket, it's important to note that not all types of flowers grow well in such environments. Using these tips, you'll be able to select colorful flowers that will naturally trail from hanging containers.
Petunias
Petunias are commonly used in hanging baskets, and feature trailing vines and bell-like flowers that grow in colors like purple, white and red. They smell wonderful, grow quickly and don't need to be deadheaded, making them an incredibly low-maintenance flower. Make sure to use them in an area that receives full sun.
Impatiens
Impatiens are a great choice if you want to display your hanging basket in a relatively shady area. They bloom spring through fall, and since they can grow up to two feet tall, they'll easily trail over the sides of a basket. Common colors of impatiens include pink, orange, white and red. The New Guinea variety has dark green, glossy leaves that add an extra touch of elegance to the plant.
Geraniums
Geraniums are one of the hardiest flowers you can plant in a hanging basket. They're low maintenance, but their flowers do need to be pinched off when they die. Geraniums enjoy hot, full sun and grow best when dried out between waterings. Their flowers, which resemble tiny roses, are available in many colors, including orange, white and red.
Verbena
Verbenas are wonderful creeping flowers that produce small, dainty blooms in colors like white, lavender, red and blue. Their flowers are often incredibly fragrant and also attract butterflies. To keep verbenas thriving, keep them in an area that receives six to ten hours of full sun per day.
