Tips for Planting Container Gardens and Hanging Baskets

Dear friend,

Well, here we are, right at the doorway of summertime, with the days getting warmer and the evenings inviting us to sit outside a little longer. I can’t help but feel that gentle pull to freshen up the porch and patio with a few splashes of color. You know, sometimes it takes only a pot or two of bright blooms to turn a drab corner into a cheery welcome for guests—and for our own weary eyes come sunset.

I’ve been thinking lately about just how much joy you can tuck into a single container. A clay pot on the steps, a hanging basket under the eaves, a galvanized tub planted up like a tiny jungle—they all become little oases of life. And the best part? You don’t need a big yard or a green thumb. Just a bit of imagination, the right potting mix, and some willing plants.

Container gardens and hanging baskets are such a gift for folks who want a burst of living beauty without the heavy workload of an in-ground garden. Maybe you don’t have much space—just a little stoop or a balcony. Or perhaps you’re like me, and you simply love the idea of bright blossoms right at eye level when you first open the door.

Whenever I get started with a new container, I look closely at the pot or basket I’m using. Drainage is crucial. I’ve got an old tin washtub that used to be my granddad’s. I drilled a few holes in the bottom, filled it with a good, fluffy potting mix, and set it outside my kitchen window. Now it’s a little herb haven—basil, thyme, and a trailing sweet potato vine for color. That sweet potato vine loves to dangle itself over the edges, like it’s showing off for anyone who strolls by.

The Foundation: Soil and Drainage

A lot of people overlook the importance of good soil in containers. Don’t be tempted to scoop up garden dirt and pack it into a pot—too heavy, too dense. What we want is a mix that holds moisture but drains well, light enough to let roots breathe and stretch. I usually start with a high-quality potting mix, then mix in some compost for nutrients and a bit of perlite or pine bark fines if I need extra drainage. If you’re using a large, deep container, sometimes it helps to fill the bottom third with pine cones, old mulch, or even clean, broken terracotta to keep things airy and well-drained without adding too much weight.

And while we’re talking about weight, if you’ve ever tried to move a massive ceramic pot after it’s rained, you know what I’m talking about. If mobility is important, lightweight containers and wheeled plant caddies can save your back more than once.

Feeding and Watering: A Relationship, Not a Chore

I usually mix in a bit of slow-release fertilizer at the time of planting—those little coated granules that gradually feed your plants over a couple of months. It gives your flowers and veggies a good foundation without the risk of overfeeding. Later in the season, I’ll often supplement with a liquid feed every couple of weeks, especially for heavy bloomers like petunias, lantana, or million bells. They appreciate a boost now and again.

Speaking of water, when hot days roll in, I check my pots and baskets daily. Sometimes they’re content with a single drink in the morning, but if the sun’s beating down and drying them out, I might top them off in the afternoon, too. Hanging baskets, especially, tend to dry out quickly if there’s a breeze. A friend of mine keeps a special watering can right by her back door, so she never forgets to give a little shower to her baskets at the end of a warm day.

There are little tricks to make watering easier, too. If you’re using a hanging basket made from coir or moss, consider lining it with a piece of plastic or even a coffee filter to help hold moisture without clogging drainage. Some folks tuck a sponge or a diaper into the bottom to act as a little water reservoir—it sounds funny, but it works!

Designing with a Purpose: Thriller, Filler, Spiller

There’s something charming about the “thriller, filler, spiller” idea, but even if you forget those labels, the main point is to pick plants that look good together and share similar needs. A tall purple fountain grass in the center might reach skyward, while a ring of sweet alyssum or lobelia adds a sweet fragrance around the rim. Then maybe a trailing vine gently cascades over the edge, softening the lines of the container. The real magic is finding a combination that makes you smile.

Here are a few combos I’ve used over the years that have never failed to turn heads:

• For full sun: Bright red geraniums (thriller), golden lantana (filler), and trailing bacopa (spiller). The heat doesn’t bother them, and they bloom all summer.

• For part shade: Caladium (thriller), coleus (filler), and creeping jenny (spiller). Lush, colorful foliage that thrives without too much sun.

• For edible elegance: Cherry tomato (thriller), basil (filler), and nasturtiums (spiller). You get food and flowers all in one pot.
  

Sometimes I’ll toss out the formula entirely and just let instinct take the lead. A monochrome palette—say, all shades of purple—or a mix of textures like fuzzy lamb’s ear, glossy sweet potato vine, and spiky angelonia can create something that feels painterly and personal.

The Hanging Basket Advantage

Now, hanging baskets are in a league of their own. I love how they instantly elevate a space—literally and figuratively. A bare porch beam becomes a stage for a waterfall of blooms. A shepherd’s hook turns a corner of the garden into a vertical display. And if you’re short on garden space or battling deer (as we often are around here), getting your plants up off the ground is a smart move.

When I make hanging baskets for clients—or for the golf course down in Clayton, Georgia, where I consult—I always make sure to choose plants that can handle a bit of wind and don’t mind drying out a bit between waterings. Petunias, verbena, torenia, and ivy geraniums are some of my go-to choices, depending on the light.

If you’ve got shade, don’t worry—there’s still plenty to work with. I’ve done baskets with ferns, impatiens, trailing begonias, and even shade-tolerant heuchera spilling over the sides. The key is knowing your exposure and building your basket around that.

Seasonal Shifts and Swaps

If you’re the kind of person who likes variety throughout the year, container gardening is your best friend. You can swap out the plants as seasons change. In spring, maybe it’s pansies and ranunculus. By June, you could switch to heat-tolerant beauties like vinca or zinnias. When autumn arrives, small mums or ornamental peppers might take over. You’re never locked into one look for too long.

And don’t forget the winter months. A pot of evergreen cuttings, pinecones, and a festive bow can bring cheer to your porch long after the flowers have faded. Or tuck in some hardy perennials—like hellebores or coral bells—and enjoy their quiet resilience during the coldest days.

Container Gardening for Connection

But here’s the real heart of the matter: container gardens let us bring beauty closer. If you’ve got a windowsill or a front step, there’s room for a pot. It’s not about perfection—it’s about adding a living splash of color, a bit of fragrance, or a spot of homegrown flavor to your daily life. That’s what I love most—how these pots and baskets make each day just a bit brighter.

They’re also a wonderful way to share the garden with others. I’ve made memory baskets for friends filled with plants that remind them of loved ones. I’ve helped kids plant up little containers of strawberries or salad greens so they can see where their food comes from. There’s something tender and generous about a pot of life, handed from one person to another.

And if you’re someone who travels a bit or tends to forget watering duties from time to time—self-watering pots or moisture-retaining granules can buy you a few extra days of grace. Don’t let the fear of maintenance keep you from trying. Most plants are pretty forgiving if you meet them halfway.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Every now and then, something doesn’t go quite right. Maybe your plants get leggy, or your blooms start to fade. More often than not, it’s one of three things: too much or too little water, not enough food, or too little sun.

Leggy plants? Try pinching them back or giving them a haircut. Most annuals respond with bushier growth and more flowers. Yellowing leaves? Could be overwatering or nutrient deficiency—check the roots and refresh the soil if needed. Fewer flowers? They might need more sunlight or a boost of phosphorus-rich fertilizer.

And don’t forget to keep an eye out for pests. Aphids, spider mites, and whiteflies can sneak in fast. A good blast of water or a squirt of insecticidal soap can often set things right without resorting to anything too harsh.

A Note on Sustainability

One more thought, since I know so many of us care about doing right by the planet: container gardening can be wonderfully sustainable if we’re thoughtful. Reuse old pots, make your own compost, and choose native or pollinator-friendly plants when you can. Skip the peat-based mixes if possible, and look for alternatives made from coir, bark, or composted forest products. A little intention goes a long way.

I’ve even had luck growing native perennials in pots—things like echinacea, mountain mint, and golden ragwort. They might not bloom nonstop like annuals, but they bring beauty, resilience, and plenty of buzzing visitors.

A Garden in Every Pot

So if you’re still on the fence about starting your own container garden or hanging basket, consider this your invitation. Start small—a single pot by the mailbox, a basket on the porch rail. You’ll be amazed how much life it adds to your day.

And if you’re already a seasoned container gardener, I hope you’ll experiment this year with a new color palette or plant combination. Maybe something bold and tropical, or a cool-toned medley of silvers and purples. Follow your curiosity.

At the end of the day, what matters most is that you enjoy the process. That you take a moment to pause, admire a new bloom, or pluck a sprig of mint for your iced tea. These little acts of care are what connect us to the rhythms of the season, to beauty, to nourishment, and to ourselves.

Until next time, stay cool, stay creative, and remember—there’s always room for one more pot.

All the best,
Logan