Only certain kinds of plants are suitable for hanging baskets; such as
are of low compact growth, to cover the surface, and such as are of
drooping or trailing habit, to hang over the sides, are best for the
purpose. For the center use some graceful plant of upright growth. In
setting the plants in hanging baskets a layer of moss at least one inch
in depth should be spread over the bottom and sides, so that the water
may be held and prevented from washing through. To have the plants bloom
freely they should be hung where they will be exposed to the sun at least
two hours every day, and in dry weather they need copious watering. A
good plan is to dip the whole basket in water until it is thoroughly
soaked. It can be allowed to drip before being again hung up. Watered in
this way the soil retains the moisture much better than when the water is
only poured on the plants.
Panicum variegatum is one of the most valuable plants I have tried for
baskets or vases. It is a species of grass from New Caledonia, of very
graceful habit of growth, with beautiful variegated foliage striped,
white, carmine and green. The ivy-leaved geraniums are excellent climbing
or trailing plants adapted to hanging baskets. They have a fine, thick,
glossy foliage, which of itself would warrant their cultivation, but they
also have the charming attraction of possessing beautiful flowers as well
as foliage. Any one who once succeeds in getting a good variety started
in a basket will never allow their window garden to be without a plant of
this kind, as they all bloom with the greatest freedom. Chas. Turner is
my favorite variety of the ivy-leaved geraniums.
Nasturtiums are lovely in a “rustic” hanging basket, that is, one made of
rough and gnarled roots and limbs of trees. All the varieties of oxalis
are pretty grown in earthenware baskets, and wire baskets lined with
bright green moss are especially suitable for the different varieties of
tradescantia, or “wandering jew.” There is a drooping variety of cactus,
Cereus flagelliformis, admirably suited for hanging baskets. I have seen
this planted in a large ox horn suspended by chains, and it made a most
unique ornament.