Hanging Baskets Gardening is often discussed at great length from a seated, eye level position to below, but what about above? Hanging baskets are the gardens of the sky and a tremendous accent in many situations and extremely versatile.
Not difficult to care for, and great pallets for creativity, hanging baskets comes in two basic forms: solid containers and mesh types. Solid containers with drainage holes in them can be plastic, terra cotta, clay, glazed ceramic and even wood or metal. Mesh types are typically a formed wire basket; either welded heavier gauge or possibly as simple as hand shaped hardware cloth or chicken wire.
While both can be similarly planted and relatively easy to care for there are a few differences to note. Solid containers need to be watered less as there is less surface area for evaporation. The exceptions to the rule are clay or terra cotta types. These porous materials will tend to wick the water away from the soil and need more frequent watering. The mesh types fall into the same category as the clay and terra cotta but even more so. Wire baskets are usually lined with live sphagnum moss or coconut fiber, also known as coir. These materials offer the advantage of allowing you to be able to actually plant into the sides and bottoms of wire baskets creating unusual effects, however the entire surface is very evaporative and these plantings will need more frequent watering. This is a small price to pay though for the stunning natural beauty of the basket linings and the unusual techniques that can be used when planting.
Know your plants first! This is the most important part of any container planting and hanging baskets are no exception. How you care for your basket depends on the type(s) of plants used. For example, a succulent, trailing Burro's Tail is going to need a light, porous and easily draining soil mix while a Fuchsia needs a more dense, moisture retaining mix. They both require bright indirect light. Petunias on the other hand can use an all-purpose potting soil mix and need full sun. The lesson is: do your plant homework first! When you know the plant, you can put just about anything in a basket.
Hanging or trailing plants are truly impressive when hung in the air, but don't be afraid to mix say upright Snapdragons or Marguerites in the middle of the basket surrounded by something that will cascade over the sides like Calibrachoa, Convolvulus or Trailing Silver Helichrysum.
And don't be stuck to the conventional hanging containers that are available - be creative and as wacky as you like. With lengths of chain, wire or rope as your friends you can use just about anything that you can put drainage holes in; here are some suggestions out of the ordinary
Old kettle style barbecues - already has the vent holes in the bottom, and when hung at a lower level truly is a floating garden.
Cowboy Boots! - Either one or a pair. 3 tiered, graduated size vegetable storage baskets. Old kitchen colanders, metal or plastic. Have fun, be daring, but most of all know your plants and you can add hanging accents of beauty or whimsy to your outdoor gardening experience!
