If you’re a gardener, you may be considering growing a winter hanging basket, even though these kinds of containers are traditionally associated with warm climates. Flowers in hanging pots will bloom practically all year round if you grow the correct plants and they’re taken care of properly.
Since winters can be harsh everywhere, you’ll need to adjust your approach depending on the kind of garden you have and the climate you live in. We’ve written this article to help you select which types of flowers would work best for your winter hanging basket.
Popular Winter Hanging Plants
Winter hanging plants are often evergreens, which means they retain their color throughout winter. They also provide a nice green background for your blooms, even during winter. Here are some flowers and plants that you can add to a winter hanging basket:
Cyclamen
This flowering perennial can survive freezes and intense cold. They like partial shade to full sunlight, making them great for winter containers, especially if they’re kept on a sheltered patio or indoors near a south-facing window where they’ll get lots of light. These plants produce lovely pink flowers in various hues.
Ivy
Winter hanging baskets are a great place to plant ivy in areas where they’ll get some sun in the winter. They grow in U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness zones 7 through 11 and can survive cold temperatures, though not extreme freezes. Ivy is a lovely dark green color and also has variegated foliage. It grows trailing vines that look lovely in a hanging basket.
Pansy
Pansies are a common choice for winter hanging baskets, especially if you live in an area where temperatures drop below 15 degrees Fahrenheit (-9 Celsius). Pansies are perennials that can grow between 8-20 inches tall, depending on the variety.
Heathers
Heathers are hardy, flowering evergreen shrubs that look lovely in winter hanging baskets. They come in a variety of colors, including pink, red and purple. The flowers sit atop dark green foliage, which looks vibrant against the snow.
Violas
Violas are a very popular choice for winter containers because they’re perennial flowering plants that can withstand cold weather. They can be grown as perennials or annuals and produce a variety of colors, including blue, purple, white, yellow, and orange.
Ferns
Ferns are excellent winter container plants. They’ll survive if the temperature drops to around 14°F and are evergreens. Fern leaves can hang over the sides of the hanging basket and make a lovely contrast with winter ferns. Heart’s tongue fern (Asplenium scolopendrium) and soft shield fern (Polystichum setiferum) are two species of ferns that work well in displays of winter hanging plants.
Ornamental cabbage
Ornamental cabbages grow well in cold climates. They’re great for winter containers because their leaves stay green, purple, or white, depending on the variety, even if there’s snow on the ground during winter. They can be grown from seed in the summer and look lovely in winter, surviving temperatures as low as 5°F.
Winter Hanging Plants Container Tips
When you’re choosing a container for your winter hanging baskets, choose one with drainage holes. It’s also helpful to line the bottom of the container with gravel or small stones so water can drain properly and won’t rot your roots.
Choose a nice sunny location where it will receive up to six hours of light per day. Also, ensure that your hanging basket is protected from harsh winds by hanging it in a sheltered location such as on the decking or patio.
If you want flowers throughout winter, plant pansies and violas in September so they’ll be ready for their first blossom about two months later. Cyclamen and heathers tend to bloom in late November or early December as days start getting longer.
At this time, pansies will still look lovely. If you live in an area that gets snowfall, use pansies to add a splash of color even while everything’s blanketed in white. Other species of plants that can be considered for a winter display include snowdrops, crocus, tulips, and cool-season ornamental grasses.
Conclusion
Winter hanging baskets are a lovely way to add a touch of green and florals to your home through the spring, fall, and winter. Be mindful of your climate when choosing the plants. Pansies are a popular choice for winter hanging baskets because they can withstand harsh weather conditions. There are a lot of different types of ornamental grass that you can plant in the winter.