Spring is just around the corner, and while it is still too early to start working in the yard in most locations, it is the perfect time to start planning your summer yard upgrades, schedule a visit to your local public garden for inspiration (see my trip to Sherman Gardens HERE), and order some hanging planters.
While you can purchase planters that are already filled, it is much more fun to pick out both the planter and plants that call to you. Also, once you have a nice planter, you can just refill it each year rather than always buying new ones which is good for your wallet and the environment.
When I lived in Washington, I generally created my hanging planters in late April and would refresh them by adding some new plants mid-summer once the spring plants started to die back. Now that I am in California, it is everything succulents in my world so looking forward to enjoying these year-round. Although the front yard is rough because of the Office 2.0 construction, these give me something pretty to look at and hanging them from the trees is fun.
As with all things for my home, I like to do my research (aka hours of obsessive online shopping) before I make a purchase. The good news is that this means I find lots of great options that I can share with you! My search was focused on finding a modern black hanging bowl to compliment my plans for the new outdoor lighting and the style of my home. I found it – well almost, my favorite planter does not come in black, but it is nothing that a can of black rustoleum spray paint cannot fix!
Here are a few more inspiration pictures with flowers that would work in most climates starting in April or May.
Before I share the hanging planter round up, here are 5 tips on how to create a beautiful outdoor planter:
- Make sure you have easy access to water and feed often. Hanging baskets dry out quickly and they get watered so often which tends to leach all the nutrients from the soil. Use a liquid strength fertilizer at half strength once a week though this is not necessary for succulents.
- Secure the planter well. Hang it from a tree or use an extender hook (many options available from Wayfair or Amazon) on a wooden beam on your porch – wrought iron is best to hold heavy hanging baskets.
- Choose flowers that catch your eye but pay attention to sunlight needs. If there is room, it is fun to include a thriller (something large in the middle), filler (something to fill in the gaps) and spiller (something that will grow over the sides). Feel free to borrow inspiration from planters that are already filled at the garden center. Check out the area where you are going to place the basket throughout the day and then make sure that you stick with plants that will thrive in those conditions.
- Use a high-quality potting mix. If you are working with succulents, make sure it is a succulent specific mix that will drain as too wet soil is not a happy place for them.
- Do not hold back. You want to pack the plants in to get a full and lush look that you want. If you start them early in the Spring they will be at their best by Summer. Remove any dead flowers heads and add more plants over time as plants finish blooming.
Now you are ready to pick your perfect hanging planter and get started…GO!