First things first

Planting stunning summer hanging baskets are a cinch if you follow a few rules of [green] thumb. First, determine where your basket will be located.  This will help you choose appropriate plants based on sun exposure. Once you’ve made that choice, it will be easier to select the type of container your plants are ideally suited to. For instance, if your plants need full sun, it would be smart to select a basket that can hold a bit more liquid than one that needs a shady spot.

Location

I have a back patio that faces north. Exposure and tree cover yield a location with hot afternoon sun and dappled light in the morning. I also wanted baskets to add some definition to my pergola.  Based on these factors, I chose deep plastic baskets because they allow for plenty of root development.  I decided to create two identical baskets with luscious vines for a bigger impact. 

Soil

I started by filling my baskets with Miracle Grow Moisture Control Potting Mix. It seems to do a great job of keeping plants adequately watered and provides great nutrients.

Accent Plants

I started with a pretty, variegated spike as a centerpiece:  Variegated Lily Turf. It provides height and focus with it’s pretty green and white leaves and eventually will yield purple wand-like blooms.

Trailing & Tumbling Plants

For contrast in both shape and colour, “Purple Heart” (Also known as “Wandering Jew”) is next in. The dark purple leaves are lance-shaped and up to 7’ long. The plant is a low-growing trailer and does well in containers. I also selected English Ivy because I love the classic look and hesitate to use it in my landscape because it’s invasive. It is also a trailing plant but the dark green leaves with light veining provide soothing interest in my stunning summer hanging baskets.

A third vine, Vinca Vine Variegata is quick-growing with green and creamy white leaves. It tumbles beautifully out of any container and I like the way it can fill up a basket while still keeping a lighter, whimsical look.

Last, but not least is Creeping Jenny: another low-growing hugger that is yellow-green and offers small, yellow fragrant blooms. With penny-sized leaves that freely root at the nodes, you can prune as needed to keep desired length. They will grow up to 30 feet in length providing you with loads of plant drama.

Finishing Touches

After plants are arranged in a pleasing way, fill in spaces with more soil and drench with water. Your stunning summer hanging basket is ready!  Don’t forget to water daily during the heat of summer and I suggest fertilising monthly (I use Osmocote Plus Indoor Outdoor ) to prolong the life of your stunning summer hanging basket.