Like almost everything, hanging baskets of flowers become higher in price each year, but unfortunately the basket style never changes. Typical hanging baskets in stores still come with the ugly plastic hooks, and each year they become a little more flimsy. Store-bought hanging baskets are not a good value, especially considering the appearance and quality of the cheap plastic pots that are not cheap in price. Instead of buying overpriced ugly hanging baskets of beautiful flowers, put together homemade varieties that are far more appealing and higher in quality. Not only will homemade hanging arrangements save a considerable amount of money, but they can also be compiled to match virtually any outdoor color scheme. Do what I did, and save money on homemade hanging baskets that are much higher in quality.
Hangers for Homemade Flower Arrangments
When flowers in hanging baskets are tall and full, the hangers are barely visible, but when they begin to spread out, the plastic handles are an eyesore. Plastic handles look cheap, but affordable alternatives are available. Macramé plant hangers are regaining popularity, and when homemade varieties are not available, they can be found in stores in many different colors and styles.
I found basic green and brown macramé-style holders for hanging baskets at Dollar General, and although they are similar to the homemade variety of the 60`s and 70`s, they were only $3.00 each. The plastic hangers that typically come with hanging baskets of flowers are removable, and they can be easily replaced with the woven type.
Metal hangers are also an option when creating homemade hanging baskets. They clip to the edges of wire baskets, and they are also relatively inexpensive. In any case they look much better than cheap machine-molded plastic, especially when creating homemade arrangements.
Buy Natural Lined Metal Baskets for Homemade Arrangements
This year I wanted to embellish the pillars of my large front porch with hanging baskets of flowers, but I was not willing to pay $16.99 for overdeveloped flowers in plastic pots suspended by ugly cheap plastic hangers. The flowers looked beautiful, but since they were in full bloom and mature, I knew from past experience they would not last the entire summer.
Last year I did not go with homemade hanging baskets, and although the flowers were well-tended, they became spindly and died long before summer had ended. This year I saved money with homemade arrangements, and I purchased natural lined metal baskets from Dollar General. I plan on making homemade hanging baskets from now on.
The stylish wire baskets that came with natural liners and metal chains for hanging were only $4.00 each. The flat of flowers was $13.99. I came up with four beautiful homemade hanging holders filled with bright pink petunias and white angelonia. The natural lined hanging metal containers look a lot better than the expensive store-bought flowers in plastic pots. I even had flowers left over to use in a plant stand on the porch, and the rest of the flowers ended up lining in a backyard flowerbed.
I would have paid about $56.00 plus tax for four ready-made plastic pots of flowers, but instead I paid $30.00 for high-quality homemade arrangements with numerous flowers to spare. Best of all, my beautiful homemade arrangements will last far longer than the overpriced plastic pots of hothouse flowers that would surely wither and die before the end of summer.
Source: Personal Experience
