I use those coir-lined baskets a lot, and you're right--they drain VERY well and it's more of a problem keeping them moist (I have them outside and it's hot here.) I like them very much--no need to worry about over-watering even when we have one of our periodic downpours with several inches of rain. I think it's important to think about the kind of hanging basket--or pot--you're using when you pot a small plant into a larger pot. If it's plastic, I wouldn't go too much larger unless it's a fast-growing plant. If it's unglazed terra cotta, you can go to a bigger pot, and in a coir-lined basket still bigger. And of course the mix matters, and whether you're going to put it outside in the wind or inside in a naturally-cool house, like in the beautiful PNW, or----- There's always more than one thing to consider! And for what to plant in it--good suggestions so far, but I think pothos tends to prefer going up a moss pole, or a tree like I'm lucky enough to have right now--the leaves are already starting to get quite large. By August they should be huge, and they only do that when they grow up instead of hanging. Have you thought about begonias or maybe gesneriads? I have a columnea and a eucodonia in coir-lined baskets and they are sending out shoots through the coir as well as upright. Pretty neat!

Hi Ken,I'm in the Cleveland area. Yes, I looove oaks, and it killed me when this tree started to die. I bought my property because of the oaks. On fast growing trees - the arborist who's removing the tree for me kind of "chastised" me for planting two corkscrew willows in my yard. I think they are a lovely tree when mature but he said they are junk trees that die in 12-15 years. I see specimens around my neighborhood that look quite old and healthy and I just can't believe these trees are less than 20 years old. After what he said I did some research on fast growers and apparently they produce weak wood, so while I don't want anything that will be dead in 12 years, I would like something that will give me some nice shade within 5 years, or is that unrealistic? I planted a Crimson King Maple two years ago, and OMG that is the slowest growing tree I've ever seen. I think I will take your suggestion and call some lumber yards, and I'm always on the lookout for good nursery suggestions!

Quinn, I wrote to the owner yesterday..He replied saying he's been having problems with that site. He also asked which products I was interested in ordering. I wish I knew more about Eleanor's VF-11, then make a decision whether or not to buy it. Quinn, like I said, in the 90's I was a dedicated Logees customer. I still have quite a few of their plants. The only problem back then was their shipping prices. 7 plants for 11.00..But shipping costs didn't stop me from ordering either..lol Then, around 1999-2000, I placed an order. What a disappointment! First, they decreased pot sizes from 4" to 2 1/4"..but, worse, while reducing size, they increased prices AND shipping. I order quite a bit, and know what shipping costs should be. They went overboard. Still, as long as they sent decent plants I figured it was worth it..Then everything went downhill. I placed an order, including a variegated lemon tree..Quinn, the so-called citrus was no larger than 2" and was gone within days..soil was dry from its shipping ride, not wrapped properly. Still 2"!! Besides, it was an ungrafted seedling. They didn't mention that. For the price, I was expecting, at the least, a small but grafted citrus. There were other plants that were dead upon arrival..even ST couldn't save them. The last order included an Acalypha. A DEAD Acalypha. This time I phoned customer service. The woman was very nice, helpful. She must have read over previous orders because she said, 'I certainly will replace your plant, we don't want to lose you as a customer.' And she did..the second Acalypha was gorgeous. Why didn't they send the second plant in the first place? So, after $150+ later, I never again ordered from Logees. There are too many nurseries around that ship big, healthy plants. I admit, some have a tendency to up S&H, but considering prices and sizes of plants, (most 4"ers) it's worth it. I don't want to down Logees..Perhaps they're sending larger plants and packing securely..It's been years since my last order, so I can't say. As long as consumers are satisfied with their purchases, that's all that matters. Then again, two people on the Fragrant forum who recently ordered from Logees complained their plants were loaded with insects. Quinn, I'm not going to say I've never killed a plant, but if I receive a new plant that's dead or half-dead, I can't take the blame. Toni PS. If you're still interested in the small, hanging baskets, email the owner. I'll let you know how it goes.

Well, so far, so good. Except for being a bit tattered (again!) from the wind, they seem pretty happy. Although, it hasn't gotten really hot yet, either. This patio faces northwest. I really, really would love some foliage or color, or something out there, since we spend a lot of time there in the summer. Ironically, I have some hostas in containers there. I moved them to that spot last summer, because they were getting fried where they were. So far, they've come back like gangbusters, and don't seem to mind the late day blast. I would really appreciate any other suggestions. I was going to try some asperagus fern and Creeping Jenny. One garden center lady suggested full sun plants, but I tried begonias in a container last year, and they just got leggy and tacky. Because of the roof over the patio, it just has bright shade from about 1 pm on, then from about 5-sunset, gets a direct blast of the sun. Help?