13 Perennials for Hanging Baskets

Why Grow Perennials Flowers?

Perennials are plants that will return year after year. Having to buy new annuals (plants that only live one year) each year can be costly. By using perennials in hanging baskets, you won’t need to replace them every spring.

How to Plant Perennial Flowers in Hanging Baskets:

  1. Decide on what size hanging baskets you want to use
  2. Buy small perennial plants for hanging baskets
  3. Decide how many perennials you want to put in each basket, we recommend one or two, but you can do more
  4. Place a liner made from natural materials in the basket
  5. Fill half of the hanging basket with soil
  6. Take the perennial plant out of its store container and place it in the soil of a hanging basket
  7. Fill in the remaining space with soil
  8. Water plants thoroughly
  9. Hang the basket in the desired location

Picking Basket Perennial Plants

The best perennial plants for hanging baskets are the ones that you enjoy!

There are many options to choose from, but those that are short are ideal. This means picking plants that are no more than 12 inches high. All of the plants on this list are short and suited for containers. Plus the majority of the plants here are native and pollinator-friendly - what's not to love?

13 Best Perennial Flowers for Hanging Baskets:

Dwarf Crested Iris

The Dwarf Crested iris is one of the best perennial plants for hanging baskets because its flowers are unique, and your family and friends will want to take a closer look to see their intricate details.

Zones: 3 to 9

Sun exposure: Full sun to part shade

Mature height: up to 10 inches

Water: Average

Best for woodlands, borders, and containers

Painted Trillium

Painted trillium makes for a good hanging basket perennial because it's small enough to fit anywhere. Its flowers also have beautiful details. Painted trillium is low maintenance and easy to grow.

Sun exposure: Full shade

Zones: 3 to 9

Mature height: up to 8 inches

Water: Average

Best for woodland gardens, alpine gardens, containers, and shaded borders

Bird’s Foot Violet

Bird's foot violet is one of the best perennials for hanging baskets because it has plenty of blossoms each year. It is a resilient plant that can withstand weather changes and is happy as long as it has occasional shade.

Zones: 4 to 8

Mature height: up to 8 inches

Sun exposure: Full sun or part shade

Mature height: up to 6 inches

Water: average

Best for woodland edges, in front of borders and containers

Purple Violet

Purple violet is a great perennial for hanging baskets because it is small and easy to grow. It also shows off vibrant shades of purple as it blooms from late spring until fall. With its unique foliage, you may never need another hanging basket plant again.

Zones: 3 to 9

Sun exposure: Full sun or part shade

Mature height: up to 8 inches

Water: average

Best for woodland gardens, alpine gardens, containers, and borders

White Violets

White violets are some of the best perennials for hanging baskets because their green leaves make the white blossoms pop. The violets look especially nice when planted together with other violets. Plus, they are super easy to maintain!

Zones: 3 to 8

Sun exposure: Full sun or part shade

Mature height: up to 8 inches

Water: Average

Best for woodland gardens, moon gardens, alpine gardens, containers, and borders

Wild Ginger

Wild ginger is an ideal container plant because it is low maintenance and adds green to any arrangement. This plant can grow with other flowers to add interest to a hanging basket.

Sun exposure: Full shade

Zones: 4 to 8

Mature height: up to 12 inches

Water: average to wet

Best for woodlands, shaded gardens, under trees or shrubs, and in containers

European Ginger

The European ginger is another one of the best perennials for hanging baskets because its foliage will steal the show. In addition to its mellow ginger scent, this plant can fill any container with its lush foliage.

Sun exposure: part shade to full shade

Zones: 4 to 8

Mature height: up to 8 inches

Water: medium to wet

Best for woodlands, shaded gardens, under trees or shrubs, and in containers

Virginia Spring Beauty

The delicate flowers of the Virginia spring beauty make this another plant you will want to see up close. It is obvious why this is one of the best perennials for hanging baskets; the flowers are almost too beautiful to be real! 

Sun exposure: Full sun to part shade

Zones: 4 to 9

Mature height: up to 8 inches

Water: Average

Best for woodland gardens, alpine gardens, borders, and containers

Twinleaf

The twinleaf is another hanging basket perennial that is almost too good to be true. Its cupped flowers sit just above its dark green foliage. With a short but full growth habit, the Twinleaf would look good in any hanging basket.

Sun exposure: Full shade

Zones: 5 to 7

Mature height: up to 8 inches

Water: Average to moist

Best for woodland gardens, front of borders, edges, and containers

Hepatica

The hepatica looks similar to the twinleaf but is even shorter. It makes for one of the best perennials for hanging baskets because of its many sparkly, white blossoms. 

Sun exposure: Part sun to part shade

Zones: 4 to 8

Mature height: up to 6 inches

Water: Average

Best for woodlands, edges, front of borders, and containers

Vinca Minor

While vinca minor is most often used as a groundcover, it looks wonderful in containers and hanging baskets. Its purple flowers will fill in and trail from any hanging basket as long as it has plenty of sun. 

Sun exposure: Full sun

Zones: 4 to 9

Mature height: up to 6 inches

Water: Average

Best for front of borders, containers, and as a groundcover

Creeping Buttercup

Creeping buttercup is most often grown on the ground, but why not bring it up a notch? Children are transfixed by these delicate flowers for a reason - they are beautiful and memorable. Why let kids have all the when you can enjoy them up close in a hanging basket?

Zones: 3 to 9

Sun exposure: Full sun or part shade

Mature height: up to 10 inches

Water: Average

Best for woodlands, borders, or as a groundcover

Bluets

The overlooked bluets are one of the best perennials for hanging baskets because they have such delicate flowers. They pair nicely with violets, buttercups, or the dwarf crested iris. 

Sun exposure: Part sun to part shade

Zones: 3 to 8

Mature height: up to 6 inches

Water: Dry to average

Best for from of borders, woodland gardens, edges, and containers

How to Care for Your Hanging Plants in the Fall:

Now that you have some ideas of what to plant, here is a short care guide for hanging basket perennials. Because perennials will return the following year, they will require some maintenance and care if planted in a hanging basket or container.

If you have other containers that you plant perennials in, treat the plant in the hanging basket the same as those. If not, we suggest you consider doing the following:

  1. Take hanging baskets down
  2. Dig a half circle in the ground
  3. Remove the plant together with the natural materials liner
  4. Place the plant with a liner into the hole so it is levelled with the ground
  5. In spring, pick the plant up and replace the liner before reinserting it into the hanging basket
  6. The plant may need to be divided or thinned if it becomes too large for the hanging basket

Or you can try this method:

  1. Take hanging baskets down
  2. Place baskets in the greenhouse, shed, or basement
  3. Make sure you water the plants occasionally throughout winter
  4. In spring, take plants outside again and rehang 

Shop All Perennials

Visit our online shop for a wide selection of plants and trees, or come say hi at our store location in Tennessee!

We offer fast shipping nationwide so you can start transforming your garden today!

If you have any questions about basket hanging plants or if you have any other plant needs, don’t hesitate to contact us at [email protected], we’d love to hear from you!

Dwarf Crested Iris - TN Nursery

Dwarf Crested Iris

Dwarf Crested Iris is a delicate perennial with small, slender leaves and charming, blue to purple iris-like flowers, each adorned with delicate white or yellow crests on their petals. It is a stunning and versatile plant with numerous landscaping benefits. This low-growing perennial herb is native to North America and thrives in woodland settings, making it an excellent addition to various garden styles. While exploring the lovely possibilities of dressing up your gardens, the dwarf crested iris will undoubtedly catch your eye. This is a relatively short perennial plant native to the eastern United States and enjoyed in gardens throughout the country and abroad. While many people are familiar with them, they are often unaware of their appealing traits. What are some of the notable benefits of planting it in your yard? Add Beautiful Pops of Color With Dwarf Crested Iris (Iris cristata) This plant is highly regarded for its many colors. The branches are brown and combine with yellowish-green or green leaves and stunning flowers. The plant reaches four inches in height with the stem and the flower. The fragrant flowers bloom in April and May, revealing shades of purple, lilac, lavender, blue, and pale blue. The rarer colors are pink and white. Additional colors include a white center and vibrant shades of yellow, orange, purple, and dark blue on its outer petals. Birds Love Dwarf Crested Iris Seeds The seeds produced by the flowers in the spring are under a centimeter in diameter, so they are easily dispersed by birds and the wind. In addition, this is a creeping plant that expands by shooting out long roots underground. While their growth is not usually noticeable only a year after planting them, the plants’ roots expand exponentially. This allows you to enjoy a blanket of them in your yard after several years. Dwarf Crested Iris Are Shade Loving Perennials  This plant is commonly found in the wild in wooded areas. It can also grow in the crags of ledges, on a rocky landscape, or in ravines. This makes it ideal for beautifying a formal garden or a native or xeriscape yard with rock features. Attract Wildlife With Dwarf Crested Iris While some wildlife is welcome and desired in your yard, other species can cause damage. This Dwarf Crested Iris deters deer on your property to safeguard the different plants in your yard that deer may be drawn to. In addition, they are fragrant and attract bees and hummingbirds. What is the Habitat of Dwarf Crested Iris Dwarf crested iris grows well in half shade or all shade and so is ideal for woodland gardens or semi-shade borders. It likes well-drained soil, but can grow in sandy or loamy soils.  Do Dwarf Crested Iris Blossom  Small crested iris blossoms in early spring and has pale lavender, violet or pale blue flowers with yellow or white spikes. It is pollinated by butterflies and a lovely addition to a late spring bouquet.  Is Dwarf Crested Iris Care-Free  Dwarf crested iris is quick and easy to propagate, and the plant needs very little care after you've got it going. It spreads slowly, it produces a carpet hence weeds are suppressed and your compound looks beautiful for the same.  Will Dwarf Crested Iris Survive The Pot Life  Dwarf crested iris can be grown in containers because it is small. Plant it in a drainage pot, then plant it in a shaded place for growth.  Dwarf Crested Iris is Able To Be Divided  And eventually the plant gets too crowded, about 3-5 years. Splitting the rhizomes ensures they don't get infected but it also lets new plants survive in your garden.

Painted Trillium - TN Nursery

Painted Trillium

Painted Trillium (Trillium undulatum) is a beautiful, easy-care perennial wildflower with bold, striking flowers and low maintenance. Ideally suited to shade gardens or forests, this Indigenous species will add grace and nature to your landscape. Growth and Soil Requirements of Painted Trillium Plants Painted Trillium grows quickly in humus-enriched, well-drained soil. It will tolerate partial shade, just like its wild forested environment. To plant, rake out the dirt, plant just below the surface, and add a few inches of soil and water. Once established, Painted Trillium is easy to maintain, requiring only periodic watering in the dry years and a layer of organic mulch to hold water and add nutrients. Painted Trillium's Blooming Patterns Painted Trillium blooms from mid to late spring and has beautiful white-pinnated flowers with a touch of red or pink in the center. These intricate blooms flower for weeks, and they are a lovely sight. Once bluffed, the plant’s green lance-like leaves are thick throughout the growing season and contrast with the flowers. The leaves fall when the plant goes into hibernation late in the summer. Shape and Longevity of The Trillium undulatum The low-growing perennial spreads 8 to 16 inches, making it great for borders, rock gardens, or woodland ground cover. Painted Trillium can be replaced year in and year out and delights gardeners with its eternal beauty. Life Cycle of Painted Trillium at TN Nursery Painted Tricliums are carefully grown and shipped from TN Nursery as healthy, bare-root plants. These tough plants germinate quickly and prefer shade, producing distinctive flowers year after year. Take Painted Trillium into your garden, and enjoy its quiet elegance for years to come! ...  

Wild Ginger - TN Nursery

Wild Ginger

Wild ginger, Asarum canadense is an excellent, easy plant for shade and does not require much attention. It is most famous for its uniqueness and variety and is perfect for adding color and texture to your landscape. Wild Ginger Plants  Wild Ginger is simple. It loves a rich, organic soil and grows in part to full shade, making it an ideal companion plant for woodland gardens or shade borders. Once established, this plant needs little maintenance other than frequent watering in dry periods and the pulling of dead leaves to keep it neat.  Stunning Foliage of the Wild Ginger  The heart-shaped leaves of Wild Ginger form a dense blanket of foliage in shades from deep green to silvery pastels. Throughout the season, its leaves come alive and enhance the landscape. The plant is primarily prized for its leaves, but in the spring, the plant will bear small bell-shaped flowers around the plant’s base. Long Life and Seasonal Appeal of Asarum Canadense Plants These flowers, usually dark reddish-brown, are tiny and romantic, adding a bit of personality to the plant. Wild Ginger is a perennial plant, which means it will grow year after year. Its leaves are beautiful in the spring through the fall, and while it does not color change in a wild way, it keeps garden plantings in place. Given adequate attention, this plant can last decades in your garden, making it an excellent addition to the collection.  The Growing Cycle of the Wild Ginger Plant  is available at TN Nursery as a perennial plant that can take root quickly in your garden. The sturdy texture and flexibility of the tree make it an ideal plant for making low-maintenance, shaded bed beds. Put Wild Ginger in your garden today and feel the timeless beauty of it for years to come.  

European Ginger - TN Nursery

European Ginger

European Ginger is a low-growing ground cover plant that has glossy, heart-shaped leaves and produces small, inconspicuous brownish-purple flowers nestled among its dense, carpet-like foliage. It is a charming and versatile plant with several landscaping benefits. This evergreen perennial herb is native to Europe and is valued for its exotic appearance, low-maintenance nature, and various practical applications in garden design. The European Ginger creates a pleasant aesthetic while helping keep insects and other pests away. This plant grows low to the ground and is typically used to cover barren areas or protect gardens or other areas you want to keep free of bugs or animals. The European Ginger (Asarum europaeum) Makes A Great Border Plant When grown in favorable conditions, it can grow over a foot tall. Its green leaves have a leathery texture that can add diversity to your yard or garden. The plant can be a garden border to add natural charm to your property. The green leaves may retain their color depending on the climate in your area. European Ginger Spreads Slowly  While this plant tends to spread relatively slowly but grows steadily, given enough space, you can get it to grow even faster by separating the roots into separate areas of your yard or garden to get them to propagate quickly. As a general rule, as long as it is planted in the right spot, you won't have to worry about it growing properly after putting roots into the ground. European Ginger Will Not Get Diseases  One of the key benefits of this European Ginger is that it won't succumb to disease. Furthermore, aside from slugs or snails, it isn't eaten by other insects or animals, and in numerous instances, it can attract butterflies and other attractive creatures to your property. It is worth noting that harm can be done to the plant if you prune it in the late fall or winter, as the remaining leaves can be vulnerable to burn. Ideally, you will prune it during the summer or early fall to allow the plant to bounce back before colder weather sets in. How is European Ginger Unique?  It's popular for its heart-shaped glossy leaves that grow into a year-round groundcover. It is a small-growing shrub, so you can use it in shade of a backyard garden.  Where should I plant European Ginger in my garden?  It grows best in partially shaded or shaded areas with good, draining, fertile soil. It thrives well when planted beneath trees, near pathways, and in woodland gardens.  How do I Care For European Ginger European ginger requires watering only once a week. Place a layer of mulch to help retain moisture in the soil. You can do a little pruning to keep it neat.  Is European ginger a good companion plant? Yes! European ginger has dense foliage that helps suppress weeds and complements ferns, hostas, and other shade-tolerant plants.  Can I grow European Ginger in containers  European ginger can easily be grown in containers and therefore, ideal for patios or small growing areas. Ensure the container has well-drained soils and the plant is placed in the right amount of shade.

Hepatica - TN Nursery

Hepatica

Hepatica (acutiloba, Americana) is an attractive perennial wildflower that blooms early in the spring and needs little attention. Ideal for woodland gardens or shady spaces, it adds sophistication and unobtrusive beauty to naturalized landscapes. Ease of Planting and Maintenance For the Hepatica Perennial Hepatica is extremely easy to plant and maintain, which makes it a fabulous plant for any beginner gardener. It is preferentially shade-tolerant, preferring humus-rich, well-drained soil. Sow by loosening the soil, burying the roots just below the surface, covering the plant lightly with soil, and watering thoroughly. Hepatica needs minimal upkeep once planted, aside from occasional irrigation when dry and incorporating organic mulch to keep moisture in and enrich the soil. Seasonal Blooms and Color Changes of the Acutiloba, Americana Hepatica flowers early in the spring and is often seen before other plants come into bloom from their winter slumber. Its little star-shaped flowers, which vary in color from white and pale pink to lavender and blue, provide an attractive splash of color. The blooms last several weeks and are followed by shiny, lobed green leaves that recur throughout the growing season. The foliage can turn bronze or red in autumn before dying back for the winter. Shape and Longevity of Hepatica Plant Hepatica spreads in dense clumps and grows 6-12 inches tall, so it is suitable for borders, rock gardens, or woodland ground cover. As a perennial, it blooms year after year and brings you long-lasting beautification with very little work. Hepatica Life Cycle at TN Nursery Hepatica is carefully planted and shipped at TN Nursery as healthy, bare-root specimens ready for planting. These hardy plants spread quickly, giving you magical flowers and leaves season after season. Plant Hepatica in your garden and be sure of its timeless appeal for years to come!    

Vinca Minor - TN Nursery

Vinca Minor

Vinca minor or periwinkle, is an evergreen groundcover plant that has delicate purple blooms in Spring and summer and can be maintained year-round with little effort. Easy to care for and adaptable to shade and sun conditions, Vinca minor forms a dense and textured swathe of foliage and flowers ideal for borders, beds, and shade gardens.   Vinca Minor Plant Characteristics and Growth Vinca minor’s smooth, dark green leaves remain in full display year-round, giving your yard a predictable hue. This perennial comes into bloom in spring with lovely, star-shaped blue-to-violet flowers that provide a splash of color. The flowers bloom early to mid-spring and continue through early summer, attracting bees and butterflies.&nbspThis short-stemmed plant quickly grows into large mats, making it a perfect ground cover between trees or beds. Vinca Minor: Easy to Plant and Maintain Vinca minor can be planted quickly and, once established, does not require much upkeep. It grows well in various soils and in partial shade to full sun, though it’s most successful in shady places on well-drained soils. This perennial is resistant to many of the most common garden pests and diseases, so it is an excellent option for those who love keeping their gardens minimal. Vinca minor needs occasional watering, and its evergreen leaves ensure year-round interest, even in the winter. Long-Lasting Blooms and Lifespan of Vinca Minor Perennial Vines Vinca minor flowers for a few weeks in the spring, and its evergreen habit keeps it fresh all year. Being perennial, it will recur year after year, providing your garden with lasting grace and minimal upkeep. Here at TN Nursery, we carry only premium Vinca minor plants that will make a lasting impression on your garden and provide you with year-round blooms and lush green foliage. The easy care, long blooming, and evergreen foliage make Vinca minor (Vinca minor) an excellent groundcover for gardeners who want a beautiful, easy-care, color-rich, and texture-filled addition to their landscape. Most Asked Questions About Periwinkle Plants Do periwinkle plants come back every year? Yes, they return every Spring and live for decades Do periwinkle like sun or shade? These vine plants thrive in shaded areas Why is Vinca Minor called a graveyard plant? They grow near shaded banks and slopes, often near the woods bear graveyards because most is adjoining wooded areas, to obtain the shade needed. Thus, they got their name as graveyard vines.  

Creeping Buttercup - TN Nursery

Creeping Buttercups

Creeping Buttercup is a low-growing, perennial weed with bright yellow, glossy flowers and climbing stems, making it a favorite for low-maintenance landscaping. This versatile perennial herb, native to Europe and Asia, has attractive characteristics that make it a valuable addition to various garden settings. The creeping buttercup is a stunning perennial that introduces a whimsical look to your gardens. Because of its hardiness and adaptability, the plant, which is also called the sit fast and the crowfoot, grows wild in vast areas from northern Africa to Europe and Asia. Because of its impressive traits and aesthetics, it has been incorporated into yards far outside these areas. What can you expect when you add this plant to your landscape? Bright Golden Flowers Of The Creeping Buttercup (Ranunculus repens) This plant produces small, delicate flowers in the spring and summer seasons. When conditions are suitable, the flowers may also last through the early autumn months. The flowers grow up to 1.25 inches and show off golden petals, creating a pop of color that makes them a welcome addition to gardens and yards. The flowers grow on dense, sturdy, lightly grooved stems, adding character to their design. The yellow flowers are fragrant and glossy with substantial amounts of pollen. These traits attract abundant pollinators to the environment, including flies, bees, and fluttering butterflies. These pollinators promote the health of other plants that rely on them as part of their reproductive processes. In addition, the pollinators attracted by the pollinators bring different types of wildlife to your yard, including birds and leafhoppers. Fast Growth Of The Creeping Buttercup This plant can deliver results quickly in areas of your yard that desperately need vegetation and color. It proliferates by shooting off a dense, fast-growing network of runners and roots. In many yards, moist areas can be void of vegetation and detract from the otherwise lovely aesthetics of the space. However, this plant thrives in wet soils, making it suitable for filling moist areas with green and yellow hues. Light Reflection from The Creeping Buttercup The glossy petals naturally reflect light, creating a stunning, radiant look in your space. The flowers' reflection also supports the plant's reproductive process and aids in attracting wildlife to the space. Where do Creeping Buttercups grow best  Creeping buttercup prefers moist, well-drained soils and is suited to full sun to partial shade conditions. These plants grow well in areas such as gardens, meadows, and along the riverside, where their beautiful flowers provide a pop of color.  How do creeping buttercups spread?  Creeping buttercups spread through stolons, which take root while growing in the soil. They are an ideal choice for use as ground cover since their foliage and flowers grow quickly.  Are Creeping Buttercups easy to care for  Creeping buttercups are among the easiest plants to grow since they do not need much attention to grow. They only need frequent watering and low pruning to maintain their vibrant appearance.  When do creeping buttercups bloom?  Its bright and dazzling yellow flowers bloom from late spring into the early summer. They have a long flowering period making them an ideal choice to beautify your garden.  Do Creeping Buttercups attract wildlife  The flowers attract pollinating insects, including bees and butterflies. They can improve the biodiversity of any garden by promoting local systems.

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