Hanging Baskets and Trailing plants on your patio or balcony
The idea of hanging baskets and trailing plants in a garden is not a new concept. It dates back as far as 3000 years ago, where Queen Semiranis designed the famous Gardens of Babylon on step terraces to remind her of her previous mountainous home.
Today one can achieve that marvelous spectle on a normal balcony or patio using plant stairs or a flower covered table. The following paragraphs will show you how you can maximize all available space especially that above your head to grow hanging plants, as well as various styling arrangements to use. You will be shown how to take care of your plants as well.
Designing with plants
There are basic rules of good design that need to be followed to get the most out of hanging plants and baskets. A unique selection of plants based on colour and matching shapes are important when planting a hanging garden.
Shapes of growth
One can grow hanging plants in a way that allows foliage and flowers to burst out of the containers. One can achieve a decorative hanging curtain using rhizome-forming or creeping plants such as Convolvulous ( Convolvulus sabatius), Seaevola, ground ivy (Glechoma hederacea), strawberry plants and ivy.
Cushion shaped plants such as Portulaca, Dorotheanthus bellidiforms and Gazania are effective when placed close to the edge of a container. They will create an eye-catching connection between the plants growing upwards and those tat hang downwards. Bushy plants create blooms both upwards as well as downwards. An example would be hanging fuchsias, hanging pelargoniums or hanging begonias
Most climbing plants and trailing plants for example Rhodochiton atrosanguineus oe nasturtium need climbing aids and grows well over the middle and upper sections of an arrangement. Kitchen herbs which have upright growth are suitable for the upper level.
Where to Buy Plants
There are numerous sources where one can get plants. The choice depends on the price and the intended planting method. Young plants are generally cheaper than the old ones. Nurseries, supermarkets and garden centers have ready-to-plant seasonal and flowering young plants. It is recommended to grow plants from seed especially if you would want to cultivate rarities. There is also seed maid-order available which sell unique seed mixtures for hanging gardens.
The right soil
Avoid using garden soil because it is too heavy for the containers and quickly gets compacted. Light soil which can store water can be obtained by mixing 3 parts of well-rotted, sieved garden compost with 3 parts of garden soil and 2 parts of sand or peat. You can also mix garden soil and flower compost in a 1:1 ratio.
Hanging Baskets
A large mesh basket made of painted wire is an ideal container for planting a beautiful all round arrangement. Flowers protrude from both the walls and the bottom of the basket. There come in different sizes, colours and shapes. A large mesh bicycle basket made of painted wire can be used if a mesh basket is not available. Secure the wire baskets to a wall with ornamental hooks or brackets. Chains, wires and ropes are available from building yards, iron mongers, rope makers and ship chandlers. Strong circular steel link chains are ideal for heavy containers.