Basket Filled with Hanging Shade Plants

If you have a porch or deck that doesn't spend most of the day in direct sunlight, finding hanging shade plants to add to baskets or containers that brighten up the space can be a little tricky. But that doesn't mean you can't grow anything there; You need to find the right plants. English ivy, coleus, and impatiens all thrive in a shady spot with colorful flowers and interesting foliage that add brightness. Marguerite daisy and annual lobelia help add extra blooms when it's cool, but expect them to fade as summer heats up. The rest of the plants fill in to keep the arrangement green throughout the season.

A: Marguerite Daisy

B: 'Rebel Rooser' coleus

C: 'Versa Green Hollow' coleus

D: 'Compact Royal Jewels' lobelia

E: 'Infinity White' New Guinea Patience

F: 'Glacier' English ivy

A: Marguerite Daisy

The marguerite daisy at the center of this arrangement adds height and dark green foliage to the composition. While most varieties have pale pink or purple flowers, 'Butterfly' has sunny yellow flowers. This species attracts pollinators, so be prepared to welcome some butterflies and bees. The marguerite daisy thrives in full or partial sun and well-drained soil and grows up to 18 inches tall.

B: 'Rebel Rooser' coleus

There are many varieties of coleus, but they are all known for their colorful and eye-catching foliage. 'Rebel Rouser' is a sun-loving, mixed-leaf coleus that adds lime green color, and 'Lime Time' has similar colors and prefers shade. Coleus are great for containers, but there are many varieties so check the light requirements for each variety; Some need full sun, part sun or full shade. Plant in well-drained soil. Coleus can reach heights of just 6 inches or more than 3 feet, depending on the variety.

C: 'Versa Green Hollow' coleus

Coleus 'Versa Green Hollow' has attractive green foliage with a cream center. This eye-catching mounding variety adds a pop of light green amidst the surrounding dark green leaves and stems. Having just one plant with lighter leaves for shade makes this hanging basket stand out. This variety grows up to 24 inches tall and can tolerate a variety of light conditions from full sun to full shade.

D: 'Compact Royal Jewels' lobelia

Lobelia erinus 'Compact Royal Jewels' is an annual variety of blue lobelia with stunning purple-blue flowers. This plant complements yellow marguerite daisies well and spreads over the sides of the basket. It thrives in partial shade and well-drained soil, but expect the blooms to decline as the weather turns warmer.

E: 'Infinity White' New Guinea impatiens

New Guinea impatiens have succulent stems and attractive foliage that make a wonderful backdrop for their large flowers. There are also many green variations of New Guinea. However, this particular variety has solid colored dark foliage that makes the crisp white flowers stand out. 'Infinity White' Patience thrives in part or full shade with well-drained soil and grows up to 14 inches tall.

F: 'Glacier' English ivy

This versatile evergreen grows well as a hanging shade plant and as a houseplant if you want to move it indoors when cooler weather returns at the end of the season. In this hanging basket arrangement, two English ivy 'Glacier' plants on either side create a dramatic trail of cream-tipped leaves. 'Iceberg' likes full shade tolerable, well-drained soil and only grows to 6 inches tall (but it can spread up to 14 inches).