Lush, Easy Color: Your Guide To Hanging Baskets

 

 

Hanging baskets are one of the easiest ways to bring lush, eye level color into your outdoor spaces. Whether you’re dressing up a shady porch or adding vibrant blooms to a sunny patio, the right plants can thrive even in the heat and humidity of East Texas.

 
 

For Full Sun: Heat Loving, East Texas Tough Blooms

 

These varieties can take our long, hot summers and keep blooming with minimal fuss:
 

• Calibrachoa (Million Bells) – nonstop color, great for mixed baskets
 

• Lantana – a true Texas workhorse with bright clusters of blooms
 

• Purslane, Portulaca, Ice Plant – drought tolerant and cheerful

 

• Vinca (Cora® Series) – thrives in blazing sun and humidity
 

• Petunias (Heat tolerant varieties) – especially Supertunias for trailing color
 

• Tropical Combo Baskets – bright, tropical flowers

 

These plants appreciate regular watering but won’t wilt at the first sign of a 100 degree day.

 
 

For Part Sun/Morning Sun

 

Perfect for spots that get softer light:
 

• Begonias (Green Leaf) – glossy, vigorous, and heat proof
 

• Torenia (Wishbone Flower) – loves warmth but prefers gentler light
 

• Airplane Plant – variegated foliage, arching stems with baby airplanes
 
 

For Shade: Cool, Lush, and Colorful

 

Shady porches and covered patios can still overflow with beauty:
 

• Impatiens (New Guinea or Standard) – vibrant and reliable
 

• Ferns (Boston or Kimberly Queen) – lush, classic, and elegant
 

• Lush Foliage (Various Swedish Ivy and Jew) – dramatic trailing foliage that brightens dim spaces

 

These plants appreciate consistent moisture and protection from harsh afternoon sun.
 

 
 

Tips for Success in East Texas Heat

 

• Water deeply and often — baskets dry out faster than ground plantings
 

• Use a quality potting mix that drains well but holds moisture
 

• Feed regularly with a balanced, water soluble fertilizer
 

• Give them room to trail — hanging baskets look best when they spill over the edges