Rhonda Massingham Hart - Long-Lasting Hanging Plants

by Rhonda Massingham Hart

Hanging gardens. The mere thought is at once romantic, intriguing, and intimidating. For sheer attention-getting, nothing beats cascades of color bursting from containers. The effect is multiplied when the show defies the law of earthbound expectations and takes to the air. Hanging baskets bring cheery color to eye-level and sensuous scents right under your nose. Some even tempt your taste buds with dang-ling fruit.

Best of all, these mini-gardens offer their gifts to the neediest of places. They brighten dark corners, sweeten still breezes, soften stark lines, and bring drama to the drab. The impact of a lush, hanging arrangement can lighten a heavy heart, if only for a moment. And anyone can create them! All it takes is a little basic know-how and creativity to design hanging baskets to complement any setting, from a shady retreat to a sun-drenched patio.

In the spring, especially around Mothers Day, every store, from garden centers to corner grocery markets, gets into the plant business. Ready-made hanging baskets can be found suspended from anything that will hold them. So even if youre not quite ready to create your own designer plants, you can still enjoy the splendor of your own little hanging paradise. Just follow these tips for bringing home the best baskets.

Check the weight. The basket should feel heavy for its size. Light-weights have been allowed to dry out and may suffer permanent stress.

Inspect the foliage and flowers. Reject any baskets that show obvious pest infestation, disease, or damage. Part foliage with your hands, and look on the underside for bugs, discolored spots, or broken stems. If you find obvious problems, do the management a favor and bring such baskets to their attention.

Check the soil level. The planting medium should come within 2 inches of the top of the container. Too little soil causes roots to become crowded and stresses the plant(s).

Consider your site. Choose plants that tolerate, or better yet, prefer, your growing conditions. Buy shade lovers for shady areas, sun lovers for bright spots, etc. (More on this under Choose the Best Varieties.)

The real fun starts when you decide to design and plant your own hanging baskets. You can cater to your own tastes and color schemes, select from a wide range of varieties not available in nursery-grown baskets, and save money, too.

Any container that appeals to your eye, has not been used to contain any sort of toxic substance, is at least 3 inches deep, and has drainage holes in the bottom can be put to use as a hanging container. Just be aware that what the basket is made of makes a difference, and each material has its advantages and disadvantages.

COMPARISONS OF BASKETS

Bear in mind that hanging plants require lots of water (more on this later) and that well-watered soil is heavy. Consider total weight when choosing containers. For instance, earthenware pots are attractive plant containers, but can weigh more all by themselves than the plant and soil combined. On the other hand, lightweight decorative wicker baskets wont hold up over time.

Wicker Trick

To get the effect of a wicker planter, use a slightly smaller plastic container as the planter and nest it in the wicker basket.

Dont use dirt! When used in containers, even the best garden loam compacts, which squeezes oxygen away from the roots and hinders water absorption. Instead, use a planting mix. You will find that there are two kinds available: soilless and soil-based. Soilless mixes are composed mainly of shredded peat. While lightweight and porous, they contain no nutrients and tend to break down over time, which also causes problems with aeration and water absorption. Soil-based mixes retain nutrients and are easy to wet, both initially and after planting, but they are also heavy. Soilless mixes are fine for temporary baskets, such as annuals that will be tossed at seasons end. Soil-based mixes are the best choice for perennial baskets that are to be maintained over time.

Planting mediums can be purchased pre-mixed or you can whip up your own. Mixing your own allows you to work in bloom-boosting amendments, such as bonemeal, dolomitic limestone, or slow-release fertilizer.

Homemade Planting Mixes

Soil-Based Planting Mix

1 part high-quality soil

1 part peat moss

1 part perlite, vermiculite or clean, sharp builders sand

1 part compost (optional)

Soilless Planting Mix

1 part #2 grade vermiculite

1 part peat moss

To either mix add 1 tablespoon superphosphate, 2 tablespoons ground limestone, and 4 tablespoons steamed bonemeal per gallon of medium, or substitute a fertilizer mix of your choice.

Be realistic about hangers, hooks, and support structures. Flimsy hangers are disasters in waiting. Macrame hangers, braided or twisted rope, and good quality chain are decorative and strong. Wire hangers that come attached to nursery-grown baskets are plain but suitable. Beware of delicate, screw-in hooks that can give under the stress of a heavy hanging planter. Look for hooks that list the weight-load they will bear on the package. Swivel hooks are great for rotating baskets for even sun exposure. Finally, be sure to hang the basket from a sturdy support.

Some plants just seem to be destined for the swinging life of a hanging basket! Trailing plants spill over container edges like kaleidoscopic waterfalls. Annuals provide quick color for the season, while perennials perform encores. Listed here are some old favorites and new twists.

Annuals are plants whose lives are spent within a year or less. With so little time to express themselves, they go for broke, blooming exuberantly. They offer the richest selection of colors, textures, and uses. Many are readily available in nursery-grown baskets, and a wider selection is offered as transplants perfect for popping into a hanging basket. But the true glory of their diversity is available anywhere from seed. See chart, pages 89.