Imagine a waterfall of color cascading down from your porch or patio. Not water, but a breathtaking explosion of blooms in every shade imaginable, from sunshine yellow to velvety purple and everything in between. This vibrant spectacle can be yours with Calibrachoa, also known as Million Bells®. These charming flowering plants aren’t just visually stunning; they’re also incredibly low-maintenance, making them the perfect choice for busy gardeners or anyone looking for an effortless way to add pizzazz to their hanging baskets.
Calibrachoa, often nicknamed Million Bells® for a reason, boasts a mesmerizing display of blooms that resemble miniature petunias. Unlike their larger cousins, however, Calibrachoa flowers have a unique charm with their trumpet-shaped petals. These come in a dazzling array of colors, from classic shades like red, white, and blue to more captivating options like fuchsia, apricot, and even vibrant bicolors with contrasting centers and edges.
But Calibrachoa’s beauty isn’t limited to just the flowers. Their compact, mounding growth habit makes them ideal for hanging baskets. Unlike leggy plants that leave empty spaces in your basket, Calibrachoa fills in beautifully, creating a dense and visually appealing display.
Advantages for Hanging Baskets
One of the most captivating features of Calibrachoa for hanging baskets is their cascading nature. The trailing stems overflow the edges of the basket, creating a stunning waterfall of color that tumbles down from above. Their long blooming season, stretching from summer well into fall, ensures you can enjoy this vibrant display for months on end.
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Calibrachoa is also a dream come true for gardeners in sunny locations. These little troopers have excellent tolerance for heat and sunlight, making them perfectly suited for outdoor hanging baskets. Unlike some flowering plants that wilt under the summer sun, Calibrachoa thrives in the warmth, rewarding you with continuous blooms throughout the hot season.
Growing Calibrachoa in Hanging Baskets
Selecting Calibrachoa Plants
Choosing the right Calibrachoa plants is the first step to a thriving and colorful hanging basket. Look for healthy specimens with abundant flowers and buds already present. Don’t be afraid to gently brush aside some leaves to inspect the overall health of the plant. Avoid Calibrachoa that appear wilted, have yellowing leaves, or show signs of pests.
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For optimal hanging basket performance, opt for trailing varieties of Calibrachoa. These varieties have longer stems that naturally cascade over the edges of the basket, creating the beautiful overflowing effect. Popular trailing Calibrachoa varieties include ‘Superbells® Dreamland’ with its large, vibrant blooms and ‘Million Bells® calibrachoa trailing mix’ which offers a delightful combination of colors.
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Planting and Care
Now that you have your healthy Calibrachoa plants, let’s get them settled in their new hanging basket home!
- Choosing the Right Basket: Select a hanging basket with multiple drainage holes to prevent waterlogging, which can damage your Calibrachoa. A wire basket allows for better air circulation compared to solid plastic options.
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- Potting Mix: Use a high-quality, well-draining potting mix specifically formulated for flowering baskets. Look for mixes that contain ingredients like perlite or vermiculite to promote drainage and aeration.
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- Planting:Â Fill your hanging basket with the potting mix, leaving about an inch of space at the top. Gently remove your Calibrachoa plants from their original containers and loosen the roots slightly. Plant them in the basket, spacing them evenly and ensuring the top of the root ball sits slightly above the rim. Backfill with potting mix and water thoroughly until water runs out the drainage holes.
Basic Care:
- Watering: Calibrachoa thrives with consistent moisture, but avoid overwatering. Water deeply when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch. Avoid letting the basket completely dry out, as this can stress the plants.
- Fertilizing: Feed your Calibrachoa with a balanced water-soluble fertilizer every two weeks during the blooming season. Follow the instructions on the fertilizer package for proper dilution rates.
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- Deadheading: To encourage continuous blooming, regularly deadhead your Calibrachoa. Simply pinch off spent flowers at the base of the stem. This will not only improve the overall appearance of the basket but also signal the plant to produce more blooms.
Design Tips for Hanging Baskets (Optional)
Calibrachoa offers endless possibilities for creating stunning hanging baskets. Here are a few tips:
- Mix and Match Colors:Â Play with a variety of Calibrachoa colors to create a vibrant and eye-catching display. Consider using a single bold color for a dramatic impact or opt for a harmonious blend of complementary shades.
- Companion Planting:Â For added visual interest, consider incorporating trailing foliage plants like variegated ivy or sweet potato vine alongside your Calibrachoa. These will provide a textural contrast and help fill any gaps in the basket.
- Thriller, Filler, Spiller:Â Apply the design principle of thriller, filler, spiller for a captivating hanging basket. Use a taller flowering plant as the thriller in the center, surround it with Calibrachoa as the filler, and let trailing plants like lobelia or verbena spill over the edges as the spiller.
Related article: Transform Your Patio into a Floral Paradise: The Must-Have Flowers for Hanging Baskets
