Our quest for a hanging basket began when we started our roof garden in the spring of 2009. Our first attempt fried before the Fourth of July. We bought three or four more beautiful hanging baskets that summer, but none of them lasted more than a few weeks.
Last summer, I was determined to do much better. I sunk some serious money into a special self-watering hanging basket and even special self-watering planter soil (sheesh, I was such a sucker!). I bought some expensive mail order plants — including purple lantana — to grow in the basket. Well, that basket was a fail too. The lantana never really took off. The Dichondra argentea Silver Falls looked like strands of dirty paper towel whipping in the wind.
Never shying away from a roof gardening challenge, we’re trying it again. This year, it’s an ivy geranium from Lowe’s. I read they are supposed to be especially suited for hanging baskets. I re-potted it into our special self-watering planter. But as you can see in this picture, so far it isn’t thriving. What do you think? Should we abandon the the hanging basket vision? But without a hanging basket, how else can we camouflage this ugly pole?
Brooklyn Roof Garden 
Posted by Matt on June 15, 2011 at 11:01 pm
Chris,
If this is hung in full sun that may be part of the problem. Rooftops get extremely hot – and the plastic of these planters gets especially hot. This heat can be even too much for the roots of so-called heat-loving and planter-loving plants. Especially if it is in sun all day long. If it were to get a bit of partial shade during the day it may do better. Also deadheading the flowers may help it survive a bit better until it is better adjusted to the roof.
You could also have the hanging basket in another, cooler area and hang it when you guys come out to enjoy the roof.
That’s my two cents’ worth.
Matt
Posted by Jana Goodman on June 16, 2011 at 4:03 pm
yup, deadhead it for sure. may we assume you fertilize it on occasion? and, i know you are having more summer there than we (Montana) are having by a LONG shot, but it is still early in the season. Patience is part of gardening for sure. love the process!
Jana
Posted by Mitch Mitchell on June 16, 2011 at 5:01 pm
a: paint the pole a nice natural green color.
b. get a pot that retains rather than drains water
c: look for grasses that can work – something like a spider plant but for outdoors
d: there are also rings that go around the pole so you can have several smaller pots – then look for smaller drough resistant plants – if one dies, they are easy to replace without huse $$$
e: or better yet something that sits lower and climbs the pole