Choosing Flowers for Hanging Baskets (2024)

Gardening

Flowers

Attract Butterflies and Hummingbirds With Hanging Plants

• 01 of 10

  Begonia (Begonia boliviensis)

  

  For those who do not have the right climate to grow fussy fuchsias, begonias can act as a plant double. The half-hardy Begonia boliviensis has the same tubular, pendulous flowers as fuchsias, but can handle the heat and humidity of southern summers. Other tuberous begonias that look great in hanging baskets include the Nonstop Mocca series, which are fully double and resemble roses.

  • USDA Growing Zones: 9 to 11
  • Color Varieties: Yellow, red, pink, white, orange
  • Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
  • Soil Needs: Rich, light, moist, well-drained

• 02 of 10

  Fuchsia

  

  Gardeners living in areas with cool, wet summers cannot pass up the opportunity to grow this amazing, shade-loving tender perennial. Although the plants do tend to wither in summer weather, you can look for one of the more heat-tolerant varieties, like 'Astoria', 'Jupiter', or 'Surprise'. A little fuss will prolong the beauty of fuchsias in hanging baskets. The plants respond well to daily misting, regular fertilizing, and diligent deadheading.

  • USDA Growing Zones: 10 to 11
  • Color Varieties: White, pink, red, purple, multicolored
  • Sun Exposure: Part sun
  • Soil Needs: Moist, fertile, loamy

• 03 of 10

  Lantana (Lantana camara)

  

  In frost-free areas, common lantana can become somewhat of a thug, growing into a wild woody shrub that scrambles through fences and overtakes flowerbeds. However, the vibrant flower clusters of lantana provide reliable tropical color for a long growing season, attracting butterflies and hummingbirds. Choose a small weeping variety for your hanging baskets, such as 'Patriot Popcorn' or 'Patriot Rainbow.' If lantana is overly vigorous in your area, choose a sterile variety (like 'Gold Mound' or 'Patriot') that does not grow seed-filled berries.

  • USDA Growing Zones: 8 to 11
  • Color Varieties: Combinations of red, orange, yellow, white, pink
  • Sun Exposure: Full sun
  • Soil Needs: Well-drained; will tolerate poor soils

• 04 of 10

  Lobelia (Lobelia erinus)

  

  It is best to think of Lobelia erinus as a spilling seasonal plant for early spring, as it thrives in moderate temperatures. Your hanging basket will be covered with a mass of electric-blue flowers with contrasting white throats that appeal to butterflies. At the end of June, do not waste any time trying to coddle the plants; replace them with million bells, lantana, or another heat-loving plant.

  • USDA Growing Zones: 10 to 11
  • Color Varieties: Purple, blue, red, pink, violet
  • Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
  • Soil Needs: Organically rich, well-drained, evenly moist

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• 05 of 10

  Million Bells (Calibrachoa; hybrid)

  

  This cousin of the petunia will not tucker out when the temperatures rise. Million bells produce little or no seedand don’t require deadheading to stay in bloom. All they need is moist soil and a full day of sun to keep your hanging baskets vibrant.

  • USDA Growing Zones: 9 to 11
  • Color Varieties: Many shades and combinations of pink, yellow, red, violet, white, blue, magenta, bronze
  • Sun Exposure: Full sun
  • Soil Needs: Rich, well-drained, slightly acid

  See Also

  27 Beautiful Plants For Hanging Baskets

• 06 of 10

  Pelargonium (Pelargonium domesticum)

  

  You may know these plants by the more common name of geranium, but pelargoniums are grown as annuals north of their hardiness zones, while true geraniums are hardy perennials. The bold texture, bright colors, and trailing habit of pelargoniums make them ideal for hanging baskets. Deadheading is necessary to keep the plants blooming until frost.

  • USDA Growing Zones: 10 to 11
  • Color Varieties: Red, lavender, purple, pink, white
  • Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
  • Soil Needs: Well-drained, slightly acid, not too rich

• 07 of 10

  Petunia (Petunia x hybrida)

  

  Petunias have always been a classic favorite for hanging baskets, but some gardeners are challenged by petal blight in rainy and very humid weather. Try the milliflora variety, which blooms continuously without the need for pinching, or multiflora, which performs in hot, wet summers. Petunias are at their most fragrant in the evening, so add a white variety to a moon garden for extra allure.

  • USDA Growing Zones: 9 to 11
  • Color Varieties: Many shades and combinations of purple, lavender, yellow, blue magenta, maroon, pink, red, white, bi-colored
  • Sun Exposure: Full sun
  • Soil Needs: Light, fertile, well-drained, slightly acid

  How to Choose the Right Type of Petunia

  

• 08 of 10

  Portulaca (Portulaca grandiflora)

  

  Place portulaca, or moss rose, in a site where it will receive sun for most of the day. When the plant sits in shade, its flowers close up. Pair moss rose with other heat-loving, drought-tolerant plants, like spiderwort, which will provide color between blooming cycles.

  • USDA Growing Zones: 2 to 11
  • Color Varieties: Orange, white, rose, yellow, red
  • Sun Exposure: Full sun
  • Soil Needs: Sandy, well-drained, tolerates moist to dry soil

  Continue to 9 of 10 below

• 09 of 10

  Sweet Alyssum (Lobularia maritima)

  

  Sitting near a sweet alyssum hanging basket is like being in the presence of a fragrant cloud. These flowers have a strong honey scent that attracts butterflies and bees. The appealing trailing habit of sweet alyssum can turn shaggy as the season progresses, so do not be afraid to reinvigorate it with a summer haircut.

  • USDA Growing Zones: 7 to 11
  • Color Varieties: White, pink, purple
  • Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
  • Soil Needs: Rich, loamy, neutral pH

  How to Grow and Care for Sweet Alyssum

• 10 of 10

  Lotus Vine (Lotus berthelotii)

  

  Impress your gardening friends by telling them your garden includes a plant endemic to the Canary Islands. Lotus berthelotii, also known as lotus vine or parrot's beak vine, is in decline in its native habitat, but it is easy to cultivate and propagate from seed and cuttings. Its greenish-gray, needle-like leaves are, in fact, as soft as a feather. Joyful flame-like flowers dot the plant all season when grown in a sunny spot. The Jedi secret to growing this quirky plant is to provide it with daily moisture in a special cactus or orchid potting mix with excellent drainage.

  • USDA Growing Zones: 10 to 12
  • Color Varieties: Orange, red, yellow
  • Sun Exposure: Full sun
  • Soil Needs: Light, well-drained or orchid potting mix

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