Growing plants and flowers in hanging baskets can bring life and structure to a garden. It not only adds interest to your backyard but also provides extra space for more plants when the ground and patio planters are already full. When it comes to hanging baskets, using them in shaded areas can be a huge advantage.
Hanging baskets in the shade give various plants and flowers a fighting chance to retain the moisture they need. One way to take advantage of this is by using living baskets made of moss. These baskets not only look gorgeous but also provide a rich and moist backdrop for your hanging basket plants.
Plants that thrive in shade often require excellent drainage, making them susceptible to problems like root rot, fungi, and mildews when planted in poorly draining soils. By hanging them in the air, you ensure they get the air circulation and drainage they need. Moreover, shaded areas provide protection from wind and weather that can damage hanging baskets and dry out precious flowers and foliage.
While it’s true that shade-loving plants come with their own set of challenges, the rewards are more than worth it. These plants often have unique leaf shapes, colors, and bright, iridescent flowers that can add beauty and vibrancy to any space.
Hanging Baskets in the Shade: Best Practices
Your hanging plants and flowers rely on you for their survival. Since they are far from the ground and may be exposed to dry and windy conditions, it is crucial to provide them with moisture-retaining soil, extra nutrients, and consistent watering.
Plants growing in the ground can source water from their surroundings, but hanging basket plants are completely dependent on us. Therefore, we must be kind and ensure they have everything they need to thrive.
A quick note on shade: In areas with high humidity, a “shade plant” may tolerate full sun. Similarly, the same plant in dry conditions may only thrive in shade. Creating extra humidity through tools like automatic irrigation can provide the extra moisture that some shade-loving plants may love, especially when they are exposed to more than partial sun and/or dry and windy conditions.
8 Best Plants and Flowers for Hanging Baskets in the Shade
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Fuchsia (Fuchsia ‘Tom Thumb’): This compact weeping shrub features vibrant fuchsia pink and purple flowers. It can be used as a standalone focal point or combined with other shade-loving plants.
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Western Bleeding Heart (Dicentra Formosa): This plant showcases gorgeous pink/red, heart-shaped flowers dangling from pendulous branches. The lacy foliage adds a fine backdrop to its arching stems.
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Begonia (Begonia ‘Pendula White’): With clusters of large pendulous fragrant white flowers, this begonia brings a bright white glow to shady areas. The flowers bloom from July to the first frost.
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Lobelia (Lobelia erinus): This delicate trailing annual produces fan-shaped flowers in different shades of blue. It is a prolific bloomer from April through June, with more blooms appearing in autumn.
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Impatiens (Impatiens walleriana): Known for their incredible vibrant colors, these small compact plants boast glossy green foliage and a plethora of flowers ranging from pink and purple to lilac, red, orange, rose, white, and bicolors.
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Monkey Flower (Mimulus ringens): With its unusual monkey-face or snapdragon-like flowers, this plant blooms in a range of colors from June to September. Trailing varieties are perfect for hanging baskets.
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Trailing Bacopa ‘Giant Snowflake’ (Sutera cordata): This plant has an overflowing trailing habit and giant white blooms that start in spring and continue throughout the season. It pairs beautifully with its own blue/green foliage.
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Coleus ‘Red Trailing Queen’ (Coleus scutellarioides): This shade-loving plant has dramatic bicolor foliage with contrasting borders and centers. Its compact habit and stunning foliage make it an excellent choice for hanging baskets.
Finding shade-loving plants that thrive in hanging baskets may seem challenging, but the process of planning, planting, and maintaining these baskets is ultimately fulfilling. By exploring the amazing options available and learning the special tricks to help shade plants thrive in hanging baskets, you can create even more beautiful spaces in your backyard. So, what will you put in your basket?
