Hanging Baskets Are Your Guide to Beautiful, Vibrant Houses

Creating your own hanging basket is easier than you might think, and the rewards are stunning! Follow these steps and plant combination ideas to craft eye-catching baskets with long-lasting color and interest. For more tips on care and troubleshooting, visit us in-store and pick up our Container Gardening Guide!

1. Planning for Success

  • Choose the Right Spot: Assess the sunlight your basket will receive between 11 am and 3 pm. This determines whether you need sun-loving or shade-loving plants.
  • Maximize Light & Airflow: More light expands your plant options. Aim for 5-6 hours of sunlight for versatility, and choose a spot with good airflow.

2. Plant Selection: Thrill, Fill & Spill

Use the “Thrill, Fill, Spill” formula for a visually appealing basket:

  • Thrill: Start with a tall, striking focal plant.
  • Fill: Add upright or mounded plants around the focal point.
  • Spill: Finish with trailing plants along the edges for a cascading effect.

Sun Thrillers: Geraniums
Shade Thrillers: Coleus, Upright Fuchsias, Taller Begonias
Sun Fillers: Ivy Geraniums, Upright Petunias
Shade Fillers: Impatiens, Ivy Geraniums
Sun Spillers: Bacopa, Verbena, Supertunias
Shade Spillers: Bacopa, Fuchsias, Trailing Lobelia

3. Don’t Forget the Foliage!

Balancing flowers with foliage adds texture and depth to your basket.

  • Sun Foliage Spillers: Sweet Potato Vine, Helichrysum
  • Shade Foliage Spillers: Creeping Jenny, Trailing Ivy

4. How Many Plants?

  • 12” Baskets: 1 Thriller (4”), 3 Fillers (2½”), and 3 Spillers (2½”).
  • 14” Rectangular Baskets: 1 Thriller (4”), 4 Fillers (2½”), and 6 Spillers (2½”).
  • 14” Moss Basket: 1 Thriller (4”), 3-4 Fillers (2½”), and 3 Spillers (2½”). Stagger side plantings for even coverage.

For faster results, choose larger plants like 6” pots for Thrillers.

5. Incredible Color Combinations

Choosing colors can be as fun as picking plants! Here are a few popular palettes to inspire you:

  • Citrus Bliss: Chartreuse, yellow, orange, and hot pink.
  • Flame Thrower: Bright red, dark orange, and golden yellow.
  • Elegant White: Soft whites and silver.
  • Blue Ocean: Varied shades of blues, blue-green, and silver.
  • Dramarama: Deep burgundy with black foliage and flowers.
  • Cool Breeze: Purple, blue, and pink.

Classic Basket Ideas

  • Sun Basket: Geraniums, Ivy Geraniums, Supertunias, Thunbergia
  • Shade Basket: Bacopa, Ivy Geraniums, Fuchsias, Creeping Jenny

For more color inspiration, check out Pinterest or home décor sites. And if you’re curious about trending colors, the 2019 Pantone Color of the Year is ‘Living Coral’—a lovely choice with coral-toned geraniums, verbena, or petunias.

Stop by our store to explore these options and get personalized guidance on designing your own hanging baskets. Our team is here to help you bring your vision to life!