With spring on the ways thoughts often turn to bringing colour to all areas of the home and garden. Hanging baskets are great way to add visible colour and interest to the outside of the house and parts of the garden (shade-loving plants can also be used for indoor baskets). They can be used to adorn areas such as the walls at the front and back of the house, the shed, or other places that could benefit from a bit of natural brightening up.
With this in mind, here are 5 plants that can work well in hanging baskets:
1. Fuchsia
Plants such as Fuchsia Riccartonii, commonly known as Hardy Fuchsia deliver beautiful crimson sepal and purple petalled flowers all the way from June to October. This bushy, deciduous, upright shrub prefers to be slightly sheltered from the wind but works well in containers, hanging baskets, and many different planting schemes.
2. Verbena
The fact that Verbena produces lots of small clusters of tiny, coloured flowers make it great for a hanging basket display. For example, Verbena Bonariensis, commonly known Argentinian Vervain, a deciduous perennial blooms wonderful small clusters of tiny purple flowers from June through to September. This can really add a splash of colour and interest to any hanging basket.
3. Geraniums
Geraniums are hardy perennials that are available in many different colours and sizes. This choice, the ease with which they can be grown, and their distinctive smell make them a welcome addition to any hanging basket. For example, Geranium Russel Prichard is a herbaceous, trailing perennial with small green, lobed leaves which, from May all the way through until September bears lovely magenta pink flowers of around 3cm wide.
4. Ferns
Although they may not be the first though for hanging baskets, they can work really well in shady areas or even or indoor hanging baskets. One of the many varieties available from Emerald Plants, for example, is Athyrium Filix-Femina Frizelliae, commonly known as Tatting fern. This bushy deciduous fern creates a bearded effect like lace but can be combined with other ferns to provide different textures and shapes in a unique shade-loving basket.
5. Carex
A plant like Carex Evergold / Japanese Sedge, which is a tufted, evergreen grass plant creating clumps of stunning, bright colours, is a great all-rounder and container plant. It can add texture and colour to hanging baskets e.g., Winter hanging baskets but one of its advantages is that it gives all year-round interest and yellow colours.