• Add color to your garden with a hanging planter.Springtome planters image by Digital Photique from Fotolia.com
  
  Hanging planters are a popular choice with both green thumbs and those who enjoy hassle-free gardening. Once planted, a hanging planter simply needs to be watered regularly and any dead flower heads removed to be kept going for several months. The hanging form of planter is very versatile and suitable for use in small spaces like balconies, as well as on patios or hung from the side of a house. A variety of different plants can be used in a hanging planter, including colorful flowers, delicate foliage and even homegrown fruits.
  
  

Trailing Lobelia

• Create a display of color in your hanging planter with a trailing Lobelia plant. For a stunning mix of abundant pink, red, white and lilac flowers, opt for the Lobelia Fountain Mixture or Cascade Mixture, both of which are ideal for hanging planters. The flowers will cascade down over a planter, producing a ball effect of tiny flowers that should keep flowering throughout the summer.
  
  

Ivy

• Combine flowers in a hanging planter with contrasting foliage, such as pale ivy hedera. The silver grey variegated variety of ivy looks particularly dainty and decorative in hanging planters, thanks to its light color and small leaves. Plant small plug plants of ivy around the edge of a hanging planter, as this will encourage the ivy to grow over the edges and trail down over the planter.
  
  

Strawberries

• Plant strawberries in a hanging planter and as the plants grow, strawberries will cascade down over. A hanging planter is ideal for strawberries if you have limited space in your garden or if you only have a balcony. As the berries grow, they can easily be seen and picked. Being up high keeps the plants away from slugs, but you do still need to cover the plants with netting, otherwise birds will enjoy swooping down and tucking in.
  
  

Cherry Tomatoes

• Put cherry tomato plants in easy-to-reach hanging planters. When the tomatoes grow and ripen, they’ll be at the perfect height for picking. A small fruited tomato such as Gardener's Delight is ideal for a hanging planter. Put one tomato in a small planter, or two in a large one. The tomatoes will cascade down over the sides as they grow, keeping you supplied with tomatoes throughout the summer months.