Practically every garden has at least one spot where one can effectively use a hanging basket. At our home we enjoy growing about thirty-five hanging baskets on our entry deck, every year. Part of our selection of plant material varies yearly, as we discover which of the trailing plants performSo as we near the summer hanging basket season, I want to share a six of our favorites with you. First though, lets discuss a couple of really important points. to plant-up your own baskets or buy them already started? we see a particular basket that we really like, we purchase it and add itHowever, for most of the mixed baskets we like to choose the plants and plant them ourselves. If you have kept a hanging basket over from last year, you should clean it up before reusing it again this year. One way to do this is to brush the container with a stiff brush. If moss or algae has formed on the surface of the container you can use a solution of 10% bleach and 90% water to clean

Next, what do you do with the old soil? You can use up to 50% of it, mixing it with 50% new potting soil. However, I would recommend that you use allFor the little bit it costs, it certainly is worth starting off with new fresh unused potting soil. Don't throw the old soil away, as it can be used anywhere in the garden. Just add it to the soil in your flower The new soil you use in the hanging basket can be a top quality potting mix. Or, if you like to mix your own soil, use a combination of good quality garden soil, mixed with some compost, processed manure and a cup of pumice. add a little non-burning slow release fertilizer. The clerk at your local garden store will be happy to recommend the one they use to fertilize theirFill your hanging basket with the soil mix so that the finished level is about one inch below the rim of the container. enough space for watering throughout the summer. Now you're ready to plant-up your basket and here are six of the 'newer plants' that have really performed

nicely in our hanging baskets: CALIBRACHOA - commonly called 'Million Bells'. This is a winner atLast year our plants over-wintered outdoors, but it was a mildWe think this is one of the best foolproof trailing, summer floweringThe small petunias like flowers cover the plants from mid-spring, right up to early autumn. We have several colors in our garden, but prefer the rose-red, pink, white and violet ones. Best Place To Buy Sports Shoes In ChennaiThey also come in yellow, violet,Moving Assistance Program In Los Angeles bluish and brownish-orange and a few in-between shades. Flooring Sales Jobs Pa above the small, narrow bright green leaves. The new growth on this year's basket hung about 3 feet long.

I particularly like the fact that it cleans itself, you do not have to pick-off the spent flowers. Use this plant by itself or in mixed baskets. Use it in full sun for best color. BIDENS (ferulifolia)- we grow the trailing form of this prolific yellowThere are several varieties like 'Golden Flame', 'Goldie' and 'Gold Marie', plus others. The lacy leaves are covered with yellow flowersIt can grow a little spindly, so pinching will encourage a bushierVarieties vary in growth from 10 to 18 inches or more. this most effective in mixed baskets. Ideal for a bright sunny spot. SCAEVOLA - this is another great 'foolproof' trailing plant. fan-shaped lavender to purplish, half flowers cover the plant all summer. This is another plant that is self-cleaning, you do not have to remove theThe two varieties we have grown are 'New Wonder' and 'PurpleHowever there are new varieties like 'Fancy' that look very promising. We use this by itself or in mixed baskets.

Ours grow about 12 to 18 inchesDoes very well in full sun, although we have grown it part sun and BACOPA (Sutera)- we have thoroughly enjoyed this trailing plant in our mixed hanging baskets. We use the white flowering varieties, and especially like 'Bridal Showers', although 'Bridal Bouquet' is also nice. like the 'Penny Candy Series' (pink, rose or violet) are worth a try. variety 'Green-n-Gold' has very attractive variegated yellow and green leavesOur older plants hang 12 to 18 inches and pretty well clean them selves, so there are no spent flowers to pick. sun, or part sun and shade. They are best-used in mixed basket plantings. Ours has survived the past two, mild winters, but don't count on that happening LICORICE VINE ( Helichrysum petiolare) - the silver gray leaves of this vine are a nice addition to any hanging basket. I also like Artemisia 'Silver Brocade' for its silver gray leaves, but it dies back, in late fall, while the licorice vine foliage stays nice weeks later.

varieties that merit a place in any hanging basket. Our favorite is 'Silver Licorice Vine' with its velvety gray leaves; closely followed by 'Limelight' which has lime green leaves. These plants will sometimes hang 2 to 3 feet. Grows very well in full or part sun, in soil that is well-drained. TRAILING VERBENA - of course Verbena's have been around along time, but the newer trailing Verbena's are great hanging basket plants. use them in containers and cascading over retaining walls. was probably one of the first trailing types. But today, the 'Babylon', 'Twilight', 'Wildfire' and 'Aztec' strains, plus others merit a place in any hanging basket planting. Several will hang 12 to 18 inches or more and flower almost all summer. The spent flowers need to be picked, to keep the plants looking at their best. They are available in a wide range of flower colors, including, pink, rose, red, purple, lavender and white. clusters of some varieties have a pleasant soft fragrance.