Suggestions for hanging baskets in full sun

16 years ago

I've got most of my spaces fully planted but still would like to hang three pots from shepherd's hooks at the corners of my back deck.

I'm looking for ideas for plants that can take the heat of summer here in SC because it is FULL sun out there. And I'd really prefer something that doesn't need much fuss - I'm already deadheading a LOT of other stuff. These pots usually get pretty dry during the day while I'm at work so it needs to be something that won't flop. Does anyone have any tried and true suggestions?

How about Blue Daze? Can it take that kind of summer weather? I saw some at the garden center that was marked "arid dry" and "loves heat" but when I Google it I don't think it sounds quite that fond of punishment.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (8)

dellare
16 years ago
Calibrachoa, million Bells does very well in full sun and loves to be dry between waterings. In a big enough pot it might also be perennial for you. I've have fallen in love with a terra cotta color this spring. There are also cascading lantana, we carry a soft lavander and also a white that would look quite lovely and airy. Pentas also stands up very well to drying out between waterings though may be too upright for what you are looking for. Oh and there is a trailing annual vinca that would not mind that situation either. Adele
zigzag
16 years ago
You might also look into the so called 'self watering' hanging pots. Not really self watering, but they have a reservoir below that stores water so the plant can slurp it up as the day goes on. I use them with indoor hanging plants that are hard to reach/too big to take down (also saves dripping on the furniture, not an issue outdoors). Just a thought ......
Related Discussions
Best drought tolerant full-sun trailer for baskets?
Q
Comments (11)
How practical are those self-watering hanging baskets? I've seen them at the garden center and they seem pretty pricy. But if it's worth it.... At this point we have some vinca vine, creeping jenny, hot pink ivy geranium and powder puff ageratum. (Not all for the same pots!) I really like the look of the trailing lobelia, and kept coming back to it at the garden center. But the label said "sun - part shade" and I worried that it might not like the blazing sun we get. We got the lighting up this weekend; rope lighting along the soffit the width of the porch. I think she wants to wrap some tiny fairy lights up the railings of the bannister on her side of the porch, which is obscured from the street by our little tree, but we're going to wait a bit on that. We've figured out how to handle the water, by putting in a garbage can "water tank" in the corner. We got PVC pipe and fittings to run from the hose on the ground to the porch, even spray painted it to match to brick. Now we have to figure out how to attach it to the brick! Appreciate all the suggestions!
...See More
South Facing/FULL Sun Hanging Container
Q
Comments (10)
Have an enjoyable safe trip. Here is one more idea that you could do that may increase the odds of keeping your new flowers alive under intense sun exposure - acclimate your newly purchased flowers for a week or two in the original nursery containers and at he same spot as the hanging planters under like growing conditions before repotting or transplanting them. Transplants (and seedlings) are vulnerable and very sensitive to external changes in light/wind/heat/water even just with a foot of difference in relocation and without direct sun exposure in my experience. When I start to see some wilting (due to more loss of moisture on top by the leaves than is taken in by the roots) in new transplants and always in shade first, I sometimes have to partially protect the top wilting portions of large newly transplanted plants in light-weight small clear plastic boxes or enclose smaller transplants entirely in glass jars in the new shady location for a week. Moving and gardening in steps help the flowers avoid and slow some transplant shock and moisture loss even when they do not have the scortching sunlight to contend with.
...See More
Hanging Basket Flower suggestions
Q
Comments (8)
there is also bidens, verbenas, diascas, bacopa,lapis spernum, creeping zinnias. but they tend to try to take over.(the zinnias) you can do impatian baskets with lobelia and bacopa. they turn out gorgeous! creeping charlie, jenny, and the silver one that i can't think of the name. also vinca looks great in hanging baskets. nemesia, niembergia. where i work we do mixed geranium baskets and intermix all of the above. not zonal geraniums. 3 geraniums and then 3 of whatever you choose. if i could figure out how to post pics i would show you one we did. tanya
...See More
suggestions for hanging coconut fiber baskets
Q
Comments (4)
I like the idea of lining the basket with a plastic bag. But even without a bag, I've had great luck with Staghorn Fern in a 16" basket. They like to dry out a bit between waterings, anyway. Just keep them out of direct sun. Mine likes it on a north deck railing under filtering tree shade most of the day. A neighbor has almost a dozen hanging in trees, but they are tied to a board in the more traditional way. We both use time-release fertilizer on them and bring them into the garage if there is a chance of a freeze.
...See More
flgargoyle
16 years ago
I would give 'Blue Daze' a try. We have them in the hottest, driest part of our yard here in FL, and they went thru last summer just fine.
lynnencfan
16 years ago
Regular bedding vinca holds up real well in a sunny location - they are my sunny substitute for impatients. Wave petunias will also do well in full sun. Just keep a watch on the water. Moss rose or portulaca, verbena, lantana all do well in full sun....

Lynne
Dibbit
16 years ago
Also, ice plant. Any of the smaller creeping sedums might do. As might the creeping succulents like donkey's tail (name?) or the like.

Adding some of the polysaccharide(?) wetting gel crystals might help, as they take a while to dry out once hydrated - one brand is Terrasorb - so they would moderate the extreme drying out.
lindakimy
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks for the suggestions! I may still try the Blue Daze somewhere in my gardens - such a pretty color!

I made a quick trip to one of my favorite nurseries yesterday and found some very BRIGHT lantana. I already have the low growing yellow lantana planted on top of the curved retaining wall that is across the driveway from this deck where the hanging pots will be so I wasn't sure I wanted more, but these are so colorful! I got three different ones - one is rose/creamy yellow, one is salmon/gold, and one is red/orange/gold. I had three of the trailing variegated vinca vine that I had salvaged from the pots last year when everything else dried up (the well went dry so no watering). I had kept those vines in a pot on the deck all winter - yes! they lived! So I put one in each pot along with the lantana. And I couldn't resist some yellow petunias - there is something about yellow petunias that just makes me grab my wallet! I love 'em! I tucked one little petunia in each basket even though I know they may not make it given the conditions. I'll try to keep them watered enough to live!

I love the way the pots look - very informal and airy. And I'm not the only one! Within two hours hummingbirds were visiting that red lantana!!
vssanford_comcast_net
13 years ago
I love having hanging baskets on my porch but nothing seems to survive all summer.....I get afternoon sun
creativeartflowers_gmail_com
12 years ago
I am in Jamaica

Suggestions for hanging baskets in full sun

Comments (8)

dellare

zigzag

Related Discussions

flgargoyle

lynnencfan

Dibbit

lindakimy
Original Author

vssanford_comcast_net

creativeartflowers_gmail_com

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Suggestions for hanging baskets in full sun

Comments (8)

dellare

zigzag

Related Discussions

flgargoyle

lynnencfan

Dibbit

lindakimyOriginal Author

vssanford_comcast_net

creativeartflowers_gmail_com

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

lindakimy
Original Author