Pick Drought-Resistant Plants

The biggest challenge of growing beautiful hanging baskets is keeping them from drying out. You can make maintenance a breeze by planting drought-tolerant hens and chicks, echeveria, sedum, or other succulents. They're an unusual hanging basket idea but require next to no watering, even in hot, sunny situations. Tie two hanging baskets together create a fun DIY succulent orb, perfect for a spot in full sun.

A. Hens and chicks (Sempervivum tectorum) — 1

Go With Old-Fashioned Favorites

Even though they're old-fashioned, geraniums are still a top pick for hot, sunny garden beds—and they mix well with just about everything. It's no wonder they're tried-and-true favorites for containers and hanging baskets, too. This red geranium is dressed up with a flowing skirt of draping ivy, blue lobelia, and a top hat of a simple dracaena for a classic look in a full sun location.

A. Geranium (Pelargonium 'Designer Cherry') — 1

B. Dracaena marginata — 1

Make a Statement with Bold Colors

It's tough to pick which is brighter—the hot pink petunias and geraniums or the bold yellow marigolds. Either way, they're great colors to catch the eye from a block away. Up close, the mix of bloom sizes creates visual interest on a more subtle level. This basket will sizzle all summer long in a sunny spot.

A. Geranium (Pelargonium 'Designer Cherry') — 1

B. Swan river daisy (Brachyscome iberidifolia 'Mini Yellow') — 1

C. Nirembergia 'Purple Robe' — 3

D. Marigold (Tagetes 'Lemon Gem') — 3

E. Petunia 'Supercascade Rose' — 1

Use Soft Textures

Plants with small foliage and flowers create a fine texture that adds a touch of subtlety to your landscape. We love this simple but unusual hanging basket idea—it's like a touch of snow in summer. This basket is best in full sun.

A. Swan River daisy (Brachyscome iberidifolia) — 3

B. Bacopa (Sutera 'Snowstorm') — 3

C. Asparagus fern (Asparagus sprengeri) — 1

Make a Statement with Bold Colors

Here's a great