Privacy is often a concern for those who love spending time outdoors but don’t want to be disturbed by neighbors or wandering eyes.
Creating a privacy screen with hanging baskets is a simple and effective way to enjoy your outdoor space without feeling exposed. In this post, we will share some tips and tricks for creating a beautiful and functional privacy screen with hanging baskets.
Not only do they add privacy, but they also add a pop of color and a sense of serenity to your outdoor space. On a recent trip to New Orleans, we saw many gorgeous and creative collections of hanging planters that provided privacy to balconies and patios.
Whether you’re looking to create a cozy reading nook or a secluded space for outdoor dining, this DIY project is sure to impress and provide the privacy you need.
Supplies
12″ Hanging Baskets with Coconut Coir Liners
20″ Hanging Baskets with Coconut Coir Liners
Hanging Basket Watering System
Determine the Placement
Before buying your hanging baskets, you need to decide where to create your privacy screen. Do you want them to surround your entire outdoor space or just clustered in one area? Once you have an idea of where you want it, measure the area to get an idea of how many hanging planters you will need.
Choose the Right Plants
Now that you have determined the placement, it’s time to choose the right plants. When selecting plants for your hanging baskets, consider both aesthetic and functional purposes.
You will want plants that are fast-growing, low-maintenance, and provide adequate coverage. Look for trailing plants like English ivy, ferns, succulents, and creeping jasmine that will grow vertically downward, creating a full and lush screen.
Also, mix in a few baskets filled with plants that will become bushy for foliage density and dampening noise. Adding a hanging planter of veggies may not significantly increase your privacy, but it is always satisfying to snack on a few cherry tomatoes while relaxing on the patio.
You’ll also want to consider your area’s sun exposure and climate to ensure you choose plants that will thrive. Mixing and matching different plants allows you to create a stunning and unique privacy screen that fits your style and needs.
I prefer to include a mix of baskets with group plantings and single plant baskets. Also, I generally plant extra just in case a plant dies, potentially creating a hole in the screen. That way, I can maintain an effective privacy screen.
Trailing Plants for Hanging Baskets
- English Ivy (Hedera helix): A classic choice for hanging baskets, English ivy is a fast-growing and low-maintenance trailing plant.
- Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata): Boston ferns are lush and beautiful, perfect for creating a privacy screen.
- String of Pearls (Senecio rowleyanus): This succulent features pearl-like leaves that trail beautifully from hanging baskets.
- Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia): Also known as moneywort, Creeping Jenny offers vibrant, light-green foliage.
- Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum): Spider plants are a popular choice for hanging baskets, known for their striped, arching leaves.
- Burro’s Tail (Sedum morganianum): This succulent trails up to 4 feet, featuring plump, blue-green leaves.
- Golden Pothos (Epipremnum aureum): Known for its hardy nature, the golden pothos thrives in a variety of lighting conditions.
- Silver Falls Dichondra (Dichondra argentea): This plant has beautiful silver foliage that trails up to 3 feet.
- Fuchsia (Fuchsia): Known for their stunning and vibrant flowers, fuchsias are a standout choice for hanging baskets.
- Petunia (Petunia): These flowers provide a big color impact and can trail up to 4 feet, perfect for covering large areas.
Hanging Basket Plants That Like Shade
- Impatiens (Impatiens): Known for their bright blooms, impatiens are ideal for adding a pop of color to shady areas.
- Lobelia (Lobelia erinus): Lobelia plants are known for their vibrant blue flowers and their ability to thrive in the shade.
- Fuchsia (Fuchsia): With their stunning, exotic flowers, fuchsias are perfect for shady spots.
- Torenia (Torenia fournieri): Also known as wishbone flower, Torenia flourishes in the shade with its vibrant, trumpet-shaped flowers.
- Begonia (Begonia): Begonias are versatile plants that offer a variety of colors and thrive in both sun and shade.
- English Ivy (Hedera helix): A classic choice, English ivy is a hardy vine that fares well in shaded areas.
- Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata): Boston ferns are lush and do well in the shade, making them perfect for a privacy screen.
- Coleus (Coleus scutellarioides): Known for their colorful, variegated leaves, coleus plants are a beautiful addition to any shady spot.
- New Guinea Impatiens (Impatiens hawkeri): Similar to standard impatiens but with larger flowers, these plants are suited to shaded areas.
- Pansy (Viola): Pansies are known for their charming, face-like flowers and can tolerate various light conditions, including shade.
Hanging Planter Plants That Like Full Sun
- Petunia (Petunia): Petunias love the sun and come in a variety of vibrant colors, perfect for brightening up your outdoor space.
- Geranium (Pelargonium): Geraniums are hardy plants that thrive in full sun, offering bold, beautiful flowers.
- Million Bells (Calibrachoa): Known for their abundant, bell-shaped flowers, Million Bells plants are a great choice for sunny spots.
- Black-Eyed Susan Vine (Thunbergia alata): This fast-growing vine produces bright, cheerful flowers and appreciates plenty of sunlight.
- Moss Rose (Portulaca grandiflora): Moss Roses are drought-tolerant, sun-loving plants that feature succulent leaves and colorful flowers.
- Verbena (Verbena): Verbenas are heat-tolerant, sun-loving plants that provide a profusion of small, clustered flowers.
- Lantana (Lantana camara): Known for clusters of bright flowers that attract butterflies, Lantana thrives in full sun.
- Sweet Alyssum (Lobularia maritima): With delicate, fragrant flowers, Sweet Alyssum can handle full sun and drought conditions.
- Licorice Plant (Helichrysum petiolare): This plant is loved for its silver leaves and its ability to withstand full sun.
- Nasturtium (Tropaeolum): Nasturtiums are sun-loving plants that produce edible, vibrant blooms, adding both color and functionality to your hanging baskets.
Vegetable Plants for Hanging Baskets
- Cherry Tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum): Cherry tomatoes are a fantastic choice for hanging baskets due to their trailing growth habit and prolific fruiting.
- Radishes (Raphanus sativus): These quick-growing vegetables are well-suited to hanging baskets, with varieties such as ‘Bacchus’ being particularly compact.
- Baby Carrots (Daucus carota subsp. sativus): Smaller varieties of carrots work well in hanging baskets, provided the depth of the container is adequate.
- Chili Peppers (Capsicum annuum): Compact, ornamental chili pepper plants not only look great but also thrive in hanging baskets.
- Dwarf Peas (Pisum sativum): Dwarf varieties of peas can be successfully grown in hanging baskets, providing a delicious and aesthetically pleasing green curtain.
- Dwarf Beans (Phaseolus vulgaris): With compact growth and plentiful yield, dwarf bean varieties are an excellent choice for hanging baskets.
- Lettuce (Lactuca sativa): Leaf lettuce varieties are ideal for hanging baskets as they can be harvested leaf-by-leaf over an extended period.
- Spinach (Spinacia oleracea): Spinach is a cool season crop that grows well in hanging baskets, especially baby leaf varieties which are harvested young.
- Strawberries (Fragaria × ananassa): While technically a fruit, strawberries are commonly grown in hanging baskets due to their trailing habit and ease of harvest.
- Herbs (Various): Lastly, many herbs such as parsley, cilantro, and thyme thrive in hanging baskets, providing a versatile and readily available culinary resource.
Hanging Basket Flowers That Attract Hummingbirds
- Trumpet Creeper (Campsis radicans): This plant attracts hummingbirds with its vibrant, trumpet-shaped flowers and thrives in hanging baskets.
- Fuchsia (Fuchsia): With their stunning, exotic flowers, fuchsias are perfect for attracting hummingbirds.
- Petunia (Petunia): Petunias not only thrive in hanging baskets but also attract hummingbirds with their bold, beautiful flowers.
- Bee Balm (Monarda): Known for their bright, tubular flowers, Bee Balm plants are a hummingbird favorite.
- Morning Glory (Ipomoea): Morning Glory’s nectar-rich flowers, available in a variety of colors, are irresistible to hummingbirds.
- Columbine (Aquilegia): With their nodding, bell-shaped flowers, Columbines are appealing to hummingbirds and can be grown in hanging baskets.
- Salvia (Salvia): Salvia’s tall spikes of brightly colored flowers draw hummingbirds while thriving in hanging baskets.
- Scarlet Sage (Salvia coccinea): This plant’s intense red flowers are sure to attract hummingbirds.
- Lobelia (Lobelia erinus): Lobelia’s vibrant blue flowers offer a contrast to the more common red flowers, and hummingbirds love them.
- Geranium (Pelargonium): Geraniums’ bold, beautiful flowers not only thrive in hanging baskets but also attract hummingbirds.
Use High-Quality Large Hanging Planters
Invest in high-quality pots that can withstand outdoor weather and wear to ensure your hanging planters last for years. When choosing your hanging planters, you want to make sure they are both functional and aesthetically pleasing.
Choose planters that are large enough to hold the plants you have chosen and durable enough to withstand the elements. There are many different options available, from wooden planters to metal baskets.
Choose a style that fits your outdoor decor. Look for planters made from durable materials such as ceramic, metal, or resin, and check that they are designed with proper drainage holes to prevent overwatering and root rot.
How to Line a Hanging Basket
Lining a hanging basket may seem like an intimidating task, but with a little bit of know-how, it can be a breeze. First, choose a lining material that is both sturdy and breathable, such as burlap, sphagnum moss, Coco fiber liners, or coir liners.
Cut the material to the size of your basket and secure it in place with staples or twine. This will not only prevent soil from spilling out, but it will also promote drainage, prevent root rot, prevent the soil from spilling out, and keep your basket looking neat.
Coco Coir Hanging Basket Liners
Once your basket is lined, fill it with high-quality potting soil and your choice of plants.
How to Fill Your Hanging Basket
Creating a stunning hanging basket is an art form all its own. The key to success lies in selecting the right soil mix and placing the plants at the correct spacing.
Start with a lightweight soil mix that contains plenty of organic matter, such as peat moss or compost. This will provide good drainage and aeration, which is key for happy plants.
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For a healthy mix, combine peat moss, vermiculite, and perlite. This blend promotes excellent drainage and regulates moisture levels to ensure the plants don’t succumb to root rot.
When it comes to spacing, make sure to leave enough room for each plant to grow. It’s best to follow the recommended spacing on the plant tag or label.
Overcrowding can lead to competition for nutrients and light, which can stunt or kill your plants. For example, vining plants, such as cherry tomatoes, require six inches of space, while herbs like basil only need four inches.
Remember, the goal is to create a lush and beautiful display that will delight you all season long.
How to Hang Your Hanging Basket Outside
Once you’ve selected your plants and planters, it’s time to hang your creations. Consider the height and placement of your privacy screen and the strength of any support structures, such as an overhead trellis or balcony railing.
Black Metal Plant Bracket Hook for Hanging Flower Baskets
Use high-quality hooks, brackets, and chains to secure your planters to prevent any accidents. Double-check the sun exposure for the plants you have selected for your hanging basket.
Maintain Your Hanging Basket Privacy Screen
To keep your privacy screen looking its best, it’s crucial to maintain regular care and upkeep. Keep an eye on your plants’ watering and fertilization needs, especially during hot summer months.
Prune back any overgrown or dead foliage to promote healthy growth and prevent overcrowding. This will ensure they stay healthy and provide the privacy screen you desire.
Finally, enjoy your newly-created space and experiment with different colors, textures, and heights.
Hanging Basket Watering System
Hanging basket plants can add an element of charm and beauty to any space, but they require consistent watering to thrive.
One of the most practical and effective hanging basket watering systems is the drip irrigation method. This system uses a tube with small emitters that allow water to drip slowly and consistently into the soil, keeping plants hydrated without over-watering.
Orbit 56318 Hanging Basket Flex-Mist Watering Kit with Hose-End Timer
Another popular option is the self-watering hanging basket, which features a watering column that extends into the soil, allowing plants to absorb water as needed.
Whether you choose a drip irrigation or a self-watering system, selecting the right hanging basket watering system can save you time and ensure your plants look stunning all year round.
Creating a privacy screen with hanging planters is a simple and enjoyable DIY project that brings beauty, color, tranquility, and function to your outdoor space.
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By choosing the right plants, using high-quality planters, and maintaining regular care, your privacy screen will provide the privacy and enjoyment you need while creating a natural and serene atmosphere.
Happy planting!