Hanging Flower Basket Combinations

Hanging baskets of flowers make an eye-catching display.

The most important thing to remember when grouping plants in any container is to make sure they all thrive in similar growing conditions. A plant that needs to be kept moist will not thrive with plants that need to dry out between waterings. Choosing plants for your hanging container is like creating a miniature hanging garden. Create visual interest by combining colors of flowers and foliage, varying textures and growing patterns. Smaller pots are surrounded by warm air in the summer and need more frequent waterings.

Cool Color Annuals

Ornamental Sweet Potato Vine
Pink Daddy Petunia
Licorice plant

This flower combination is great for baskets hanging in full or partial sun. The Pink Daddy Petunia will grow up to 12 inches tall before cascading over the sides of your container. The spiky, dark purple leaves of the Ornamental Sweet Potato contrasts beautifully with the tiny, silvery gray leaves of the Licorice plant as they drape over the edges. The Ornamental Sweet Potato also bears tiny purple flowers but is grown for its foliage. Keep the soil moist, but don't overwater these plants. Let the soil dry between waterings.

Warm Color Annuals

Ivy geranium
Nasturtium
Verbena Obsession Scarlet

These annuals all take full sun and are moderately drought tolerant. Ivy geranium's variegated leaves will grow up to 12 inches tall before draping over the sides of your container. They will be joined by the vining nasturtiums' almost round, dark green leaves and large orange or yellow flowers. Verbena's dark red, small, star-shaped flowers and gray-green leaves round out the display.

Herbs

Silver thyme
Oregano
Purple basil
Trailing rosemary

Herbs are a wonderful choice for a hanging basket. Not only are most of them slightly drought tolerant, but you can snip bits of fresh herb for use in the kitchen all summer long.

The dark green leaves of oregano grow to 12 inches tall and will complement the dark reddish purple leaves of the Red Rubin Purple Basil. Silver thyme's pale green leaves edged in white and tiny pink flowers will spill over the sides joined by the spiky gray-green leaves of the trailing rosemary with its pale blue flowers.

Shade

Coleus
Lobelia
Impatiens
Plectranthus variegatus, Variegated Swedish Ivy

These plants make a stunning, eye-catching display in full or partial shade. Coleus's variegated purple and green leaves grow between 12 and 18 inches tall. They have a slight draping effect that will blend well with the tiny purple flowers and dark green leaves of the Lobelia as it spills over the sides of your container. Boasting brilliant flowers in salmon, pink or white, the Impatiens will grow to 18 inches tall and bloom all summer long. The trailing gray-green leaves of the Variegated Swedish Ivy will contrast beautifully with the bold colors of the other plants.

References

• Dave's Garden: Plant Files: Ornamental Sweet Potato, Sweet Potato Vine
• North Carolina State University: Fact Sheets: Verbena
• The Charlottesville Garden Club: Container Gardening