Hanging Baskets: Little Spaces, Big Impact
Hanging baskets are one of the simplest ways to add instant charm and colour to your outdoor space. They lift the eye, soften walls and create height and movement in places where traditional gardening just isn’t practical.
And the best part? With the right plant choices, hanging baskets thrive through summer, rewarding you with cascading blooms, interesting foliage and constant seasonal interest.
Choosing the Right Plants
Not all plants are suited to life in a hanging basket, so selecting varieties that enjoy good drainage and can cope with slightly more exposure to sun and wind is key. Happily, we have some fantastic options, from bold and bright to soft and trailing.
Here are a few of our favourite summer performers:
Begonia ‘Baby Wings’
A dainty but tough little performer with glossy foliage and masses of delicate blooms that look stunning spilling gently from a basket. Thrives in dappled shade and produces delicate, fluttering flowers. Perfect for areas with gentle morning light or filtered shade beneath trees or pergolas.
Why it works:
– Compact yet full growth habit keeps baskets looking tidy and lush
– Flowers almost continuously with very little fuss
– Thrives in bright shade or morning sun
– Tolerates heat and humidity beautifully
Watering tip: Keep soil evenly moist but never soggy. Allow the top few centimetres of soil to dry before watering again.
Begonia ‘Big’
A showstopper with generous flowers and lush foliage. It handles light shade all the way to almost full sun, making it ideal for versatile placements. Bold, full and incredibly showy! This variety brings larger leaves, bigger blooms, and big impact.
Why it works:
– Vigorous growth quickly fills and spills over containers
– Flowers generously over a long season
– Heat tolerant and adaptable to sun or shade (morning sun preferred)
– Low maintenance and resilient
Watering tip: Water regularly to keep soil lightly moist, especially during warmer months. Avoid wetting leaves late in the day.
Fuchsia ‘Sundancer’
Elegant, pendulous blooms make fuchsias a classic, graceful choice for hanging baskets. They prefer dappled shade and a cool spot, making them perfect for entrances or sheltered patios.
Why it works:
– Naturally trailing, spilling beautifully over the edges
– Flowers prolifically with striking two-tone blooms
– Loves cooler spots and bright shade, perfect for patios and verandas
– Adds movement, elegance and loads of charm
Watering tip: Keep soil consistently moist. Fuchsias don’t like to dry out completely, especially in summer.
Pelargonium Peltatum (Ivy Geranium)
The ultimate sun-lover for baskets. These cascading, glossy-leaved pelargoniums spill beautifully over the edges and thrive in full sun. They burst with colour and thrive with very little fuss. Perfect for high baskets and sunny porches.
Why it works:
– Naturally cascading habit creates beautiful draping trails
– Loves full sun and heat; a great choice for warm areas
– Blooms prolifically with minimal input
– Drought-tolerant once settled
Watering tip: Water deeply, then allow soil to dry slightly before watering again. Avoid constantly wet soil as it can cause root rot.
Plectranthus ‘Mona Lavender’
A favourite for its soft, lavender-purple flowers and lush, dark-green foliage with deep purple undersides. Mona Lavender brings a classy touch of colour and fills baskets beautifully with its mounded habit.
Why it works:
– Compact growth habit that stays neat and full
– Loved for its long flowering season
– Perfect for morning sun and afternoon shade or bright, indirect light
– Low maintenance and forgiving; great for beginners
Watering tip: Keep soil lightly moist but never soggy — ‘Mona Lavender’ dislikes wet feet.
Portulaca ‘Happy Hour’
Heat-loving, drought-tolerant and full of cheerful blooms. It’s ideal for full sun positions, especially where watering can be infrequent.
Why it works:
– Trailing habit that looks stunning spilling over the edges
– Handles heat, sun and sandy or well-draining soil
– Flowers pop open in full sun; an instant mood booster
– Very low maintenance and water-wise
Watering tip: Water deeply but infrequently. Allow the soil to dry out between waterings.
Care Tips for Success
Once you’ve chosen your plants, follow these simple guidelines for long-lasting impact:
Use a quality container mix
Well-draining, nutrient-rich soil will help roots establish quickly.
Water regularly
Hanging baskets dry out faster than traditional pots, particularly in summer.
Feed often
A liquid fertiliser every two weeks keeps plants lush and blooming generously.
Deadhead and tidy
Removing spent blooms keeps plants looking their best and encourages repeat flowering.
A Final Thought
Hanging baskets allow us to garden vertically, creating layers, movement and life in spaces that might otherwise feel bare or forgotten. Each basket becomes its own little garden, bursting with personality.
So this summer, look up! There’s space to plant there, too.