Add a Splash of Color with Million Bells Flowers Hanging Baskets

Nothing brightens up an outdoor space quite like a lush hanging basket overflowing with flowers. If you’re looking to add a pop of color to your patio, deck, or garden this year, consider filling your hanging baskets with the vibrant, delicate blooms of Million Bells. These popular flowering plants are prized for their long bloom time, vivid colors, and cascading growth habit that is perfect for suspended planters and baskets.

What Are Million Bells Flowers?

Million Bells, also known by their botanical name Calibrachoa, are tender perennials that are typically grown as annuals in hanging baskets and container gardens. They are closely related to petunias and share a similar flower form. However, Million Bells plants produce even smaller, more prolific blooms on trailing stems that gracefully spill out of hanging baskets.

The delicate trumpet-shaped blooms come in a rainbow of bright and pastel hues like pink red, yellow, orange, purple, blue, and white. Some varieties also have a two-tone or picotee pattern on the petals for extra visual interest. Million Bells flowers measure just 1-2 inches across, but what they lack in size they make up for in abundance. Each plant is smothered in hundreds of tiny blossoms all season long.

In addition to their vibrant flowers Million Bells are prized for being self-cleaning. This means the spent blooms drop off the plant cleanly avoiding the need to deadhead. The plants bloom freely from spring until fall with proper care. Their mounding, spreading foliage also helps fill out the basket nicely.

Ideal Conditions for Growing Million Bells Hanging Baskets

To get the most out of your Million Bells all summer long, provide them with the following growing conditions:

• Full Sun: Million Bells thrive in a location that receives at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. Morning sun is ideal. Too much shade will reduce flowering.

• Well-draining soil: Use a potting mix made for containers and hanging baskets. It should drain well while retaining some moisture.

• Even moisture: Water hanging baskets daily so the soil stays consistently moist but not soggy. Million Bells are prone to wilting on hot days if allowed to dry out.

• Fertilizer: Apply water-soluble flower fertilizer every 2-3 weeks during the growing season. Look for a formula made for blooming annuals.

• Temperatures: Million Bells enjoy warm weather and will bloom best when daytime highs are above 70°F. They can tolerate heat and humidity.

• Overwintering: In zones 9-11, Million Bells may survive the winter if given protection. 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 use in your hanging baskets. Consider one of these top performers prized for their flower colors and proliferation of blooms:

• Calibrachoa ‘Superbells Dreamsicle’ – Peachy-orange and yellow bicolor blooms

• Calibrachoa ‘Superbells Holy Moly!’ – Vibrant violet with yellow throats

• Calibrachoa ‘Superbells Grape Punch’ – Deep purple flowers

• Calibrachoa ‘Superbells Pomegranate Punch’ – Cherry-red petals

• Calibrachoa ‘Million Bells Terra Cotta’ – Warm terra cotta and yellow blooms

• Calibrachoa ‘Million Bells Trailing Blue’ – Bright blue trumpets

• Calibrachoa ‘Million Bells Trailing White’ – Pure white flowers

No matter which color or variety you choose, Million Bells are sure to impress with nonstop flowers trailing gracefully from your hanging baskets all season long. Their vivid colors will attract pollinators like bees and hummingbirds too!

Step-by-Step Guide to Planting Million Bells Hanging Baskets

Follow these simple steps for planting show-stopping hanging baskets with Million Bells:

1. Select a Hanging Basket/Container

Pick a hanging basket or container at least 12 inches wide and 10-12 inches deep. Make sure it has drainage holes. You can use traditional wire hanging baskets lined with moss or coco fiber, decorative ceramic or plastic pots, or even repurposed items like buckets or colanders.

2. Add Drainage Material

Place a 2-3 inch layer of coarse material like pebbles, broken terra cotta pieces, or even crumpled plastic bottles in the bottom of the container to promote drainage.

3. Use a Hanging Basket Soil Mix

Fill the basket 2/3 of the way full with a potting soil formulated especially for hanging baskets. Look for a mix containing peat moss, compost, perlite or vermiculite.

4. Remove Plants from Their Pots

Carefully remove each Million Bells plant from its nursery pot, loosening the root ball gently.

5. Arrange Plants Attractively

Place plants evenly around the inside edges of the basket, spacing about 8-12 inches apart. Cluster 3-5 plants depending on basket size.

6. Finish Filling the Basket

Add more potting mix around the plants as needed to fill in any gaps and hold everything in place. The top of the root balls should be just above the soil level.

7. Water Thoroughly

Water well until it drains freely from the bottom drainage holes. This helps settle the soil.

8. Fertilize & Hang

Apply your first dose of fertilizer per package directions. Then hang your basket in a sunny location and get ready to enjoy the show!

Caring for Million Bells Hanging Baskets All Season

Once your Million Bells basket is planted and in place, follow these care tips to keep it looking its best:

• Check soil moisture daily, watering early in the day if needed to maintain consistent moisture. More frequent watering is needed in hot, windy conditions.

• Apply a dilute flower fertilizer every 2-3 weeks. Look for a formulation made for blooming annuals or containers.

• Prune back any damaged, diseased or struggling stems to keep plants full and compact. Clip just above a set of leaves or flowers.

• Deadhead spent blooms as needed to encourage more flower production, or simply allow them to drop off naturally.

• Move basket to a shadier spot if foliage appears pale or bleached from too much sun.

• Repot into a larger basket or trim back excess growth if plants become overcrowded and decline in flowering.

• Bring hanging basket indoors before first fall frost. Million Bells can’t tolerate any freezing temps.

With the right care, Million Bells will reward you with gorgeous, flower-filled hanging baskets you can enjoy from spring through fall! The abundance of delicate blooms cascading over the sides makes a stunning display.

Design Ideas for Making Stunning Million Bells Hanging Basket Arrangements

Beyond just planting a single basket, there are lots of creative ways to use Million Bells flowers as part of gorgeous, statement-making hanging arrangements:

Complementary Colors

For lots of visual pop, combine Million Bells baskets in coordinating colors like red and yellow, blue and purple, 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 grasses or ivy in the center and mounding “fillers” like petunias or fuchsia around the edges.

Mixed Baskets

Mingle different varieties of Million Bells together in one basket for a colorful blend 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 draping color.

Window Boxes

Line window boxes with Million Bells for a gorgeous pop of blossoms right outside your window. Combine with trailing ivy or decorative grasses.

Flanking Entries

Place matching Million Bells baskets on either side of front doors, entries, or staircases for a symmetrically stunning welcome.

With so many possibilities, Million Bells are a go-to choice for crafting gorgeous, professional-looking hanging arrangements that bring joy all season long with carefree color. There’s no better way to give your outdoor living space a burst of summer charm!