Hanging baskets are hot. I’ve seen them in major cities hanging from street signs, they decorate the outdoor patios at swanky restaurants, and have even become a major trend in wedding decor. I think it’s because they are such a clever use of space. They bring beautiful lush plants right into the sky.
It’s easy to create a hanging basket with some simple hardware, but the trick to a full look is using way more plants than you might think. For this wild basket I used three different types of fuchsias. They are classic favorites in hanging arrangements because they grow long branches that naturally hang down with the weight of their flowers. I paired their variegated leaves with variegated ivy, and I love the whimsical woodland result.
Materials:
Wire basket
Sphagnum moss
Water
Plants- Fuchsias and Ivy
Chain
“S” hooks
Step 1: Sphagnum moss is a great material for holding dirt in the basket. It comes in bundles, and needs to be separated and re-hydrated before you can use it. Break off a chunk of the moss, and then dunk it in water until it is thoroughly soaked. It instantly changes color and texture from stiff and brownish to lush and green.
Step 2: The moss has a soft green fuzzy front, and a brown root-matted back. Take a large piece of the moss, and lay it front-side down onto the bottom of the wire basket. Add enough moss to cover the bottom of the basket and run about 1/4 of the way up the sides.
Step 3: If your ivy is in gallon sized containers, break it apart into several small clusters.
Step 4: Place the ivy plant inside the basket, and then very carefully pull the leaves and vines through the wires to the front of the basket. If you like, you can bend the wires open to give you more room to bring branches through. The root ball should rest against the inside, with the tendrils of ivy hanging down the front.
Step 5: Work your way around the basket, adding ivy and moss. Use the moss to cover roots and fill in any gaps in the wire. Keep adding plants, stopping 2 inches from the lip of the basket.
Step 6: Once the sides have been built, its time to fill the top. To fit the three plants I chose, I had to break apart the root balls and shake loose most of the dirt. Add the fuchsias, weaving any low branches into the wires, but letting the taller branches stand freely.
Step 7: If there is still room in the container, fill it in with leftover soil. The last planting step is to cover the dirt with moss.
Step 8: Cut 3 lengths of chain, about 1 yard each. Hang the chains from your desired location. I hung mine from a tree, but a hook on the porch is perfect. Attach the hanging basket to the loose ends of the chain with the “s” hooks. Then, cover them with a bit of the extra moss.
Step 9: Give the basket a good soaking with water. The moss will help hold moisture in the soil, but hanging baskets almost always need more frequent watering than standard containers.
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