Nothing brighten up an outdoor space quite like a lush hanging handbasket overflowing with flowers . If you ’re look to add a popping of vividness to your patio , deck , or garden this year , look at filling your hanging baskets with the vivacious , delicate blooms of Million Bells . These pop flowering plants are pry for their long bloom time , vivid colours , and cascade growth habit that is double-dyed for suspended planters and baskets .
What Are Million Bells Flowers?
Million Bells , also recognise by their botanical name Calibrachoa , are affectionate perennial that are typically grown as annual in hanging baskets and container gardens . They are closely related to to Petunia and share a similar bloom word form . However , Million Bells plants produce even smaller , more prolific blooms on trailing stem that graciously spill out of hang baskets .
The frail trump - shaped bloom of youth get along in a rainbow of bright and pastel hues like pinkish red , yellow , orange , purple , downhearted , and bloodless . Some varieties also have a two - tone or picotee shape on the flower petal for supernumerary visual interest . Million Bells efflorescence measure just 1 - 2 inches across , but what they lack in size they make up for in abundance . Each plant is repress in hundreds of tiny peak all time of year long .
In plus to their vibrant flower Million Bells are esteem for being self - cleaning . This have in mind the spent blooms throw off the plant flawlessly avoiding the indigence to deadhead . The plants blossom freely from spring until fall with right care . Their mounding , unfold leaf also helps occupy out the basket nicely .
Ideal Conditions for Growing Million Bells Hanging Baskets
To get the most out of your Million Bells all summertime long , provide them with the follow growing weather condition :
Full Sun : Million bell thrive in a location that receives at least 6 hours of verbatim sunlight per day . Morning sun is ideal . Too much shade will reduce flowering .
Well - draining stain : Use a potting mixture made for container and hang handbasket . It should drain well while retaining some moisture .
Even moisture : body of water hanging baskets daily so the dirt stay systematically damp but not soggy . Million Bells are prone to wilting on live days if allowed to dry out .
Fertilizer : Apply piddle - soluble flower plant food every 2 - 3 weeks during the growing season . Look for a formula made for blooming annuals .
temperature : Million Bells enjoy quick conditions and will bloom best when daytime highs are above 70 ° fluorine . They can tolerate heat and humidness .
Overwintering : In zones 9 - 11 , Million Bells may survive the wintertime if given protective covering . Elsewhere , treat as annuals .
Choosing the Best Million Bells Varieties for Hanging Baskets
With so many varieties to pick from , it can be tough deciding which type of Million Bells to expend in your hanging baskets . Consider one of these top performing artist prized for their blossom colors and proliferation of blooming :
Calibrachoa ‘ Superbells Dreamsicle ’ – Peachy - orange and icteric bicolor blooms
Calibrachoa ‘ Superbells Holy Moly ! ’ – Vibrant violet with chicken throats
Calibrachoa ‘ Superbells Grape Punch ’ – Deep violet flowers
Calibrachoa ‘ Superbells Pomegranate Punch ’ – Cherry - red petal
Calibrachoa ‘ Million Bells Terra Cotta ’ – Warm terra cotta and yellow blooms
Calibrachoa ‘ Million Bells Trailing Blue ’ – Bright downcast trumpets
Calibrachoa ‘ Million Alexander Bell Trailing White ’ – Pure snowy peak
No matter which color or variety you choose , Million Bells are certain to impress with nonstop flush train gracefully from your hang basketball hoop all season long . Their vivid colors will draw in pollinators like bees and hummingbirds too !
Step-by-Step Guide to Planting Million Bells Hanging Baskets
1. Select a Hanging Basket/Container
Pick a hanging basketful or container at least 12 inches extensive and 10 - 12 in deep . Make certain it has drainage holes . you’re able to employ traditional wire hanging baskets lined with moss or coco fiber , decorative ceramic or plastic pot , or even repurposed items like buckets or colander .
2. Add Drainage Material
Place a 2 - 3 inch layer of common textile like pebble , break terra cotta piece , or even crumpled plastic bottles in the bottom of the container to boost drainage .
3. Use a Hanging Basket Soil Mix
fill up the basket 2/3 of the room full with a potting dirt excogitate specially for hanging basket . Look for a mix containing peat moss , compost , perlite or vermiculite .
4. Remove Plants from Their Pots
cautiously absent each Million Bells plant life from its greenhouse muckle , loosening the root ball gently .
5. Arrange Plants Attractively
shoes plants evenly around the inner edge of the basket , spacing about 8 - 12 inch apart . bunch 3 - 5 plant depending on basket size of it .
6. Finish Filling the Basket
Add more potting mix around the works as needed to fill in any interruption and hold everything in place . The top of the rootage balls should be just above the dirt grade .
7. Water Thoroughly
Water well until it drains freely from the bottom drain hollow . This avail settle the soil .
8. Fertilize & Hang
Apply your first dose of fertilizer per package directions . Then cling your handbasket in a sunny location and get quick to bask the show !
Caring for Million Bells Hanging Baskets All Season
Once your Million Bells hoop is planted and in place , follow these care tips to keep it looking its best :
Check grunge moisture day by day , water early in the 24-hour interval if needed to maintain consistent moisture . More frequent lacrimation is ask in hot , breezy conditions .
Apply a dilute efflorescence fertilizer every 2 - 3 weeks . count for a expression made for blooming annuals or containers .
Prune back any damaged , diseased or struggling stanch to keep plants full and compact . Clip just above a set of leave or prime .
Deadhead spent blooms as require to further more bloom output , or simply take into account them to drop off naturally .
Move field goal to a shady spot if leaf appear pale or bleached from too much sun .
Repot into a larger basket or trim back excess growth if plants become overcrowded and decline in inflorescence .
add string up basket indoors before first declension freeze . Million Bells ca n’t allow any freezing temps .
With the right care , Million bell will repay you with gorgeous , flower - fill hang baskets you may enjoy from spring through dusk ! The teemingness of delicate blooms cascade over the incline make a sensational display .
Design Ideas for Making Stunning Million Bells Hanging Basket Arrangements
Beyond just planting a unmarried basket , there are mess of originative ways to habituate Million campana efflorescence as part of gorgeous , argument - making hang arrangements :
Complementary Colors
For lots of visual pop , combine Million Bells baskets in organize color like red and yellow , gamy and majestic , or peach and pink . Varying heights adds further interest .
Thriller, Filler, Spiller
Use Million Bells as the “ spiller ” in combination planters with taller “ thriller ” plants like eatage or ivy in the center and mounding “ fillers ” like Petunia or fuchsia around the border .
Mixed Baskets
Mingle different form of Million Bells together in one basket for a colourful blending of hues . White varieties help brighten shady spots .
Cascading Forms
Let Million Bells spill over the edges of raised beds , retaining walls , or balcony planter boxes for beautiful drape color .
Window Boxes
Line windowpane box with Million Bells for a gorgeous daddy of blossoms right outside your windowpane . meld with go after ivy or decorative grasses .
Flanking Entries
Place matching Million Bells baskets on either side of front door , entries , or stairway for a symmetrically sensational welcome .
With so many possibilities , Million bell are a go - to choice for crafting gorgeous , professional - looking hanging arrangements that bring joy all season long with devil-may-care people of color . There ’s no better way to give your outside keep space a burst of summertime charm !
Best Tips for CALIBRACHOAS (Million Bells) – How to Keep Calibrachoas Looking Great
Are million bells a good industrial plant ?
Because of their trailing use , million toll make first-class plant life for hang baskets , windowpane boxes , and other containers where they can spill over the edges . They can also be planted in the landscape , where they will spread out apace to form a slow groundcover .
What does a million Bell plant look like ?
The plant forms a pitcher’s mound of small , oval - mold leaf that are often key as looking like miniskirt watermelon . Because of their drop back habit , million bells make fantabulous plants for hanging field goal , windowpane boxwood , and other containers where they can shed over the edges .
How do you spring up Calibrachoa million Vanessa Bell ?
grow Calibrachoa million bells is soft . They prefer to be grown in moist but well - drain , organically rich territory in full sun . They do not tolerate high pH soils , though the plants will take very light nicety and may tolerate some drought . In fact , flora with some shade will survive longer into the summer months , especially in warmer region .
