Wisconsin Forums

[AJE]

Isn't it just bliss to be sitting on the porch drinking your favorite beverage, or reading a book and suddenly a buzzzzzzzzz breezes right by your ear or a flutter of color. A beautiful Ruby or Tiger Swallowtail is also thirsty and will drink up for the moment to give your homemade flower basket a visit. You have to smile knowing you’re not the only one to enjoy the stunning and fragrant aromas. To watch that hovering bird hit every flower for the precious nectar, wow.

Anyway, here are some tips to creating your own basket, which both the butterfly and the hummingbirds will say thank you.

*Items you will need to create moss-filled wire hanging baskets

18” or 20” round wire basket
A bag of good quality potting soil
A bag of dry sphagnum moss, depending on size of basket
Slow release houseplant fertilizer
Water retaining polymer crystals also known as water gels
(Water Crystals speed germination and help produce fuller, healthier plants, fruits and vegetables by providing water to the plants when they want it. They reduce watering and irrigation needs and protect plants from the stress of moisture change. They are a growth aid, and harmless to plants and soils.)
A plastic flowerpot saucer
Potted plants (Always plant following your USDA Zone guidelines)

*Preparing the wire basket

1: Wet the sphagnum moss before you’re ready to place it in the basket. This can be done either right in a zip lock bag, or in a container.

2: Line the wire basket with the wet sphagnum moss, filling the bottom and the sides evenly with about 1” to 1-1/2” of moss.

3: Place the flowerpot saucer in the bottom of the basket, pressing it down firmly. Doing this helps keep water from running through the moss onto your deck or patio below.

4: Soak the polymer crystals in water until they expand. This is important before mixing them with the potting soil. Polymers crystals help keep the soil moist during hot weather.

5: Mix the fertilizer granules and the soaked polymers thoroughly in a gardening bucket or other container. This can be done with your hands with your garden gloves on or with a small spade.

6: Add the fertilizer/polymer mixture to your potting soil, mix thoroughly.

7: Place about 1/2 to 2/3 of this planting mixture into your moss-lined basket. I find it best to add a bit of water at this point, because the potting soil tends to adhere to the moss better if it’s moister.

8: It’s planting time!



*Outlined below are some of the plants to attract hummers and butterflies. Plus some foliage plants for color contrasting.

:idea: Ivy Geranium: Choose geraniums in a color that either compliments or contrasts the other colors in your basket. The Ivy Geranium trails nicely, producing bright green shiny, ivy-shaped leaves. Ivy geraniums are very vigorous and bloom all summer.

:idea: Fuchsia: There are so many dazzling varieties of fuchsias one could get confused. To attract both the “jewels of the sky” and “flying flowers” Plant the bright colored fuchsia, such as the Black Prince. Fuchsias have no fragrance, but hummingbirds are greatly attracted to them because of their brilliant colors. The "magellanica" produces many long, drooping stems that become heavily loaded with red and violet flowers lasting from July through frost. Fuchsias are glorious in hanging baskets and have always been a favorite. They require an abundance of water throughout their growing season, especially in warmer climates. Also, they prefer more shade than sun in hot zones.

:idea: Trailing Lobelia: The lobelia is such a versatile little plant! It’ll be loved most anywhere its put in the garden. Frankly I want something blue and white in for my basket, I’ll be planting the “Blue Cascade” and “White Lady.” Both come in the trailing variety just made for hanging baskets. There are also other colors such as carmine red, purple with white eyes, and Cambridge blue. Lobelia is quite hardy, and thrives in our summer heat. It blooms into late fall and requires little care. Its blossoms are very showy indeed and are used widely for container planting.

:idea: Pink Sand Verbena: This variety of verbena grows upright, and has massed heads of small round-topped flowers. They bloom in clusters about 2 inches across, having tiny 1/2-inch blossoms. Verbena comes in a rainbow of bright colors, and will attract both hummers and butterflies. It is also a very showy plant that adds vivid color to hanging baskets. Verbena are actually perennials to the Pacific Coast, but are used widely as annuals in our colder climates.

:idea: Lotus: Just a few lotus (L.bertholetii, parrot’s beak, coral gem) would be glorious as a final touch. The lotus is a trailing plant, having lush grayish-green fluffy leaves. Its branches grow and spread nicely, and the color contrast with the other greens is very eye-catching. It has tiny flowers shaped rather like a bird’s beak. I’ve used lotus for many years with success in my baskets--it’s totally carefree! Lotus will love our long, hot summers.


*Planting Guidelines

:arrow: Begin by planting the Ivy Geranium from the inside of the basket, carefully poking its tender leaves through the moss and wire. This leaves the roots with their soil toward the inside of the basket. Space them to leave enough room between each plant for the fuchsias, which will be planted next. Tap the soil gently around each plant so it stays in place.

:arrow: Next, plant the fuchsias in the spaces between the geraniums, again poking the leaves through the moss and wire. Planting the fuchsias between the geraniums lends great foliage contrast to your basket. Since fuchsias become very full and spread a great deal, they will need adequate space of their own so as not to crowd the geraniums. Both plants need trailing and spreading room.

:arrow: At this point, fill in any small spaces left around the outer edges of your basket with the lobelia, alternating colors. Again, plant the flower from the inside of the basket, carefully pushing the leaves through moss and wire. Loosen the soil a bit on the roots of each bunch of lobelia as this will give them a better start. Then cover the roots with potting soil. Lobelia can be planted quite close together and will do well.

:arrow: Plant the Pink Sand Verbena in the top center of your basket, since it grows upright to about 6-8 inches. They are known as perennials but are also used as annuals, especially in hot climates.

:arrow: Lastly, do plant a few trailing lotus around the top edges of the basket. They don’t take up much space, and won’t interfere with the geraniums or fuchsias. Just a nice contrast of texture and color! Fill in any areas that need more soil. As a last touch, turn on the hose to fine mist the new basket and give all new foilage a nice clean shower. Tada, congratulations it's ready to hang!

*Care tips for your Heavenly Hanging Hummer Basket

Water at least once daily, more if needed
Fertilize once a week with a reliable liquid fertilizer
Deadhead or pinch off faded or dying blossoms regularly
Hang planter where it has the proper amount of sun/shade
Now, sit back--enjoy your handiwork--and let Mother Nature take care of the rest!