Ideas for a hanging container :D

Hi There!
Gardening seems to be a very contagious disease and a good one at that :D. Well, today I saw an empty oats container in my house and I thought how about using it as a hanging basket? The container's diameter is about 7 inches and height would be more than 10 inches. I saw a video in www.videojug.com about making a summer hanging basket so thought why not do something similar with this plastic container?
Here's what I plan: I intend to make three vertical slits about halfway from the bottom of the container (along the circumference) so that few plants pop out of it and one cute one at the top. I need your help here about which plants to use (I've listed all the plant seeds that are available here in the local nursery). Even if you have any ideas as to how to best use this container as hanging basket, and design ideas would be greatly appreciated.
>> Chrysanthemum
>> Balsam
>> Wallflower
>> Zinnia
>> Petunia
>> Forget Me Not
>> Larkspur
>> Calliopsis
>> Clarkia
>> Dahlia
>> Strawflower
>> Gerbera
>> Aster
>> Antirrhinium
>> Argeratum
>> Ipomoea
(Any other plant suggestions are also appreciated)

Thanks a bunch!

Begonia and Impatiens are always good for containers like you describe. Coleus can be pretty too. I like to punch holes in the sides of similiar containers and grow succulents (sempervivums) in the holes. Some fruits and vegetables are sold in nylon nets here and I line the containers with one of those to help keep the soil from coming out of the holes until the plant fills in.
Are seeds the only option for you there? Can you purchase plants (small) in flats that are ready to plant? I am just curious. I would be lost if I had to start all my plants from seed. I have become a very lazy gardener, I'm afraid.

This message was edited Jul 21, 2008 1:43 AM

Hey there! Thanks for the suggestion... I need to check for those seeds (Impatiens have already germinated... should wait for them to grow a bit). About the small seedlings.. the option is nil here as they either have too very big plants or they lack variety here. Most of the nurseries would look a me strangely when I ask for even a Petunia here as if asking, "Why would you want to grow that?" The ones that they have is roses, hibiscus, few varities of Jasmine, Liliputian flowers, gailardias (all of them as grown ones). So I'll have to grow them all myself from seeds :(. Will let you know how well I do. I appreciate your suggestions :) Thanks a lot again.

I used to grow almost all of my plants from seeds, and I think there's a certain satifaction that comes with turning a single seed into a lush plant. Maybe I should get back to doing that more oftern. Most of us here are having to watch our spending more than we have previously. Seeds are far cheaper than starts. The variety of plants you can choose from is much greater from seed as well. Once again, I have been inspired by someone on this forum!
Chris