An ivy geranium decorates the backyard and hangs from the clothesline. Hanging baskets greet passersby at eye- level. These suspended or floating flower beds find a home in a variety of places.

Four keys to a thriving hanging basket are proper potting mix, appropriate plant selection, and location and maintenance.

A soilless mix from Fafard, Hyponex, or Peters is a must because they are lightweight, sterilized, anchor the plants, and hold moisture and nutrients.

Plants should be selected plants that can tolerate close quarters and can become root bound. The roster of plants to fill the vertical dimension is always increasing. Old standbys like geranium, begonia, lobelia, fuchsia, and verbena are joined by cascading Surfinia petunia, osteospermum, and ganzania.

Aside from colorful flowers flora should be selected with foliar interest such as ferns, coleus, grasses, and ivies, enhance texture.

A utilitarian basket of culinary herbs outside the kitchen door could include parsley, chives, basil, thyme, and prostrate rosemary. A hanging hummingbird feeder might include red pentas, geranium, monarda, and verbena.

gardener, writer, and educator. As an advocate of gardening as a tool for learning, she helped develop the Carolina Children's Garden at the Sandhill Research and Education Center. She is an education consultant with T.E.A.C.H. marturano@yahoo.com The basket should be placed in light suitable to plant requirements. Sun- loving geraniums will not perform well in shade, but impatiens, lobelia, torenia, caladium, and hosta will. Baskets need to do pirouettes to insure adequate light for even growth.

A well- maintained and groomed hanging garden will be rewarding throughout the growing season.

Container plants dry out quickly in sun and wind. Moisture level must be checked daily. Time- release fertilizer should be applied granules at planting time or use a liquid plant fertilizer every 10- 14 days. Pinching spent blooms keeps baskets fresh and promotes continuous blooming.