Step 1: Choosing plants
Start by selecting easy-care plants that will thrive in your environment. Read the labels to ensure that the climate and sun exposure are suitable in the chosen location.

Use a combination of trailing or spiller plants in varying lengths, considering size and density of foliage and blooms as well as how they will drape. Longer varieties will naturally hang over the sides of the basket and shorter ones will create height at the centre of the arrangement.

Easy-to-grow super-blooms
• Sun-loving plantings include: verbena, calibrachoa, ivy geranium, balcan geranium, bougainvillea, dipledenia, bidens, bacopa lobelia, petunias, wave petunias, New Guinea impatiens, coleus.

• Shady plantings include: impatiens, tuberous begonias, double impatiens, mona lavender, vinca variegata, sweet potato vine.

Step 2: Selecting the right container
Before going shopping, decide where you want to hang your display: from a wall/fence, a post or overhead. This will help determine the hardware required for proper installation. Then, make sure you purchase a support that can take the weight of the basket and its water contents.

Visit your local nursery to see options in hanging basket sizes and styles as well tools and accessories required to plant and hang your arrangement.

Step 3: Caring for your hanging basket
Hanging baskets don't retain moisture as well as other containers and require regular watering. Generally, if it's drooping, it's thirsty.

Use a slow-release fertilizer when planting and follow up with a good all-purpose water-soluble plant food as needed. Remove spent flowers to promote regrowth. Avoid crowding and cut back plants that are overpowering the arrangement.

Try these 3 great looks!
Solo act
Make a bold statement by featuring just one plant variety in a hot hue that complements your outdoor decor. Calibrachoa is a great choice because it's such a prolific bloomer and available in several shades, or try a fabulous fuchsia -- elegant and hummingbird-friendly.

Three's company
Get wow-factor results by combining three plant varieties to create a balanced and colourful display. Go for high contrast by combining red-hot geraniums with blue lobelia and draping ivy.

Simple succulents
For an exotic look that's deceptively easy care, try luxe drought-resistant plants such as hen and chickens, sedum or other succulents. Use a moss basket for best results.

Photography, iStockphoto.com.