BROOKLYN BOTANIC GARDEN 
LEAFLETS 
THE BROOKLYN INSTITUTE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES 
Series III Brooklyn, N. Y., May 5, 1915. Number 3 
PLANTS FOR HANGING BASKETS 
The practice of growing plants in hanging baskets offers 
many possibilities for artistic effects which greatly add to the 
attractiveness of a dwelling. This method of growing plants has 
the additional advantage of making it possible to grow plants 
even if there is no space for the garden proper. It seldom hap- 
pens that a house is so constructed that one cannot, with a little 
ingenuity, find a place where a basket containing plants can be 
suspended; therefore, hanging baskets offer special attractions to 
those who are so unfortunate as to be greatly limited in respect 
to garden space. 
Hanging baskets may be obtained in various styles, sizes, 
and prices. Those made of wire are most commonly used and are 
the cheapest, but they possess a disadvantage, on account of the 
large surface which they expose to the air, of requiring unremitting 
attention with regard to watering, if the plants in them are to be 
kept in good condition. Rustic baskets, consisting of a wooden 
bowl having the outside covered with laurel roots, may be ob- 
tained from seventy cents and upwards— the price being dependent 
upon size. Baskets made of close weave or open-work cane, with 
metal liners, can be obtained from most florists. These baskets 
are usually cone-shaped, with chain hangers, and, although they 
are rather expensive, their artistic appearance compensates for 
the extra cost. Self- watering “baskets” made of iron are now 
upon the markets, the cost being $1.25 and upward. These bas- 
kets are made with a false bottom, the space underneath being 
constructed so as to contain water, which is poured in through a 
tube projecting above the soil level. The water is conducted to 
the soil in which the plants are growing through sponges, by 
means of capillary attraction. By using “baskets” of this char- 
acter, it is not necessary to water the plants so frequently, and 
the inconvenience of the drip of surplus water, which occurs when 
the ordinary type of baskets is used, is avoided. 
One of the most important factors in the successful cultiva- 
tion of plants in baskets is that of soil. Owing to the fact that it 
