When designing or purchasing a hanging basket that has more the one type of flower in it, be sure that the plants are compatible. They should require the same amount water and fertilizer and you also must be aware of their sunlight requirement. For example, if you want to mix a sun loving calibrachoa (million bell) with a shade loving fuchsia, you will need to give it plenty of morning sunlight, but protect it from the harsh afternoon sun! Both like to be fertilized weekly (or even at half strength each time you water as they are both heavy feeders) and both like an evenly moist soil. Another consideration should be their growth characteristics. If one type were more aggressive than the other you would want to plant less of the more vigorous variety and more of the variety with a slower habit. In this example, I would plant two calibrachoas in the center of my 12” hanging basket and four fuchsias around the sides. For your hanging baskets to be beautiful all season (and that’s what we all strive for!) all of these things need to be considered. What combinations have worked for you?
~Debbie~ Bloomers Garden Center
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