Hanging Basket Plants for the Shade in Zone 7

Hanging baskets provide colorful details.

When it comes to landscaping a home property, homeowners consider several factors: trees, flower garden and the possibility of vegetables. Creative gardeners go another step and put hanging pots and planters up. When you're hanging planters, it's important that the plants be hardy to both the location and United States Department of Agriculture Plant Hardiness Zone.

USDA Growing Zone 7

The USDA breaks the nation up into growing zones, based on location and winter temperatures. This helps gardeners mark plants in regard to cold hardiness. Zone 7 runs through the south of the country and features winter temperatures from zero to 15 degrees.

Hanging Baskets

Plants for a hanging basket must stay relatively small and grow in a restrained environment. Large, vining plants will outgrow and overbalance hanging baskets.

Shade Plants

Some successful shade plants for hanging baskets in Zone 7 include American maidenhair fern, plantain lilies, snakeroot, beesia, auslese lady's mantel and brilliance autumn fern.

Shade Flowers

If a gardener wants to grow flowers in the shade, they must choose the right variety. Shade flowers for Zone 7 include cinquefoil, Carolina allspice, blue and white columbines, periwinkle, astilbe, small hydrangea varieties, creeping wintergreen and fireworks rogersia.

Conditions

Any plant requires the right foundation and nutrition, regardless of whether they grow in sun or shade, ground or hanging pot. Plant flowers and plants in a combination of quick-draining soil and compost, and water and feed them regularly for best success.

References

• BackyardGardener.com: Shade Gardening for Zone 7 Plants
• Cornell University: How to Grow Annuals
• Purdue University Service: Growing Perennial Flowers

Resources

• The United States National Arboretum: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map