Adding hanging baskets to your patio and other areas around your home is a great way to bring the eyes up, adding another layer of visual interest to your landscaping.
They can also be a great way for those living in apartments with balconies can enjoy gardening. Many people, however, struggle to find plants that grow well in the shade. If you are one of those people, then consider these shade-loving plants that are perfect for hanging baskets.
Fuchsia
There are hundreds of fuchsia varieties, so you may want to spend some time deciding on the right ones for you. You can find single and double tubular flowers in a wide range of colors in this plant that blooms from spring through fall. This flower will wilt quickly and produce fewer flowers in the heat of the summer, so consider placing it in the coldest part of your area.
Chenille
You are very likely to love the bright fuzzy caterpillar-like flowers on this plant that grows from zones 9 to 11. Red is the most common color in this plant that blooms from spring through fall. This plant wants each part of it exposed to some sunlight daily. If you live in a cooler growing zone, this plant makes the perfect outdoor hanging basket, then bring it inside the rest of the year.
Begonia
If you are looking for a plant for a hanging basket that you can almost forget to care for, then consider the begonia if you live in zones 7 to 11. You can find sun-loving options and shade-loving choices in a variety of colors. In the past, most begonias had an upright appearance, but you may want to consider the newer boliviensis-and-angel-wing types for hanging baskets. You can find options with single-or-double blooms in this plant that may bloom from early spring through fall.
Torenia
Torenia is often called the wishbone plant, and it will grow from zones 2 to 11. You will love the purple flowers on this choice. The two-lipped, tubular, trumpet-shaped flowers usually have light violet and a royal violet on the same bloom. You can also find burgundy, pink, rose, lavender and white in this plant. The stamen unit at the anthers gives it a wishbone appearance. This plant blooms from early summer to fall.
Ferns
There is almost an endless variety of ferns. These plants are usually grown for their foliage that can vary from light-to-dark green. Some choices that you may want to consider for hanging baskets include Boston, Dallas, Maidenhair, hay-scented and Kimberly Queen. Make sure to consider how large you want the fern to get and where you want to hang it before making a final decision.
Rosemary
Ensure that you always have fresh rosemary on hand by growing it in a hanging basket. In comparison, most rosemary has an upright appearance, rosemary, prostratus trails beautifully. It grows well in zones 1 to 12. This plant loves poor clay soil in full sun. It puts on small, light-blue flowers in the late winter and throughout the year. In colder climates, hang baskets of this plant in full sun while in warmer climates give it some afternoon shade.
Primrose
There are at least 17 different types of primroses that grow from zones 2 to 8. Most primroses produce small colorful flowers at the terminal end of long stalks. Some varieties produce clusters of flowers that are so densely packed together that they are nicknamed drumstick primroses. Candelabra choices often are particularly attractive in hanging baskets because of the produce flowers all along their stems. You can find options that like to be consistently wet and others who prefer to be much dryer. Likewise, some love the sun, while others adore the shade.
Creeping Jenny
From zone 3 to 9, creeping jenny can be a great plant to grow in a hanging basket. This plant does exceptionally well in wet conditions. Many love the rounded, slightly ruffled leaves on this plant, but you will also like the bright yellow flowers that appear in summer. Watch the foliage on this plant because it is prone to rust and leaf spot.
Loropetalum
This plant that grows best in zones 7 to 9 puts on long, narrow, white flowers in the early spring that last for about a month. It also has evergreen foliage that usually is green, but you can find options that have red leaves. Choose a hanging basket that drains well for loropetalum because it can be suspectable to root rot.
Streptocarpella
Gardeners in zones 9 to 11 who are looking for a hanging basket option should consider streptocarpella. This option produces lots of five-lobed flowers throughout the year. It loves the shade. Bluish-purple, pink and white options are all available on this evergreen plant.
‘Glacier’ English ivy
The white margins on the leaves on this plant that grows well in zones 4 to 9 give it a beautiful appearance. The fall blooms on this English Ivy are almost unnoticeable as they are also green and white. This shade-loving plant will attach itself to many surfaces, which can harm them, so be sure to select the right spot for the glacier English ivy.
Lobelia
Growing in zones 10 and 11, when selecting lobelia for hanging baskets, choose the trailing variety. This late spring bloomer that usually comes in red or blue has large, fan-shaped lower lips. Butterflies adore this plant that has narrow leaves that often have bronze around their edges. Consider pruning lobelia back in the summer, and it will reward you with beautiful fall blooms.
