Spectacular Hanging Baskets
Spectacular Hanging baskets
Over the coming weeks our growing tunnels will be a riot of colour with wonderful hanging baskets ready to take away and add instant impact to your gardens.
If you insist on getting personal by planting your own baskets – then here is our guide to creating your own prized exhibit.
- Start with good quality potting compost and preferably a large basket because it will need less watering
- Rest the basket on a bucket so that the side plants hang down as you plant them.
- Line the basket with moss to halfway up the sides, you can use a liner but then it’s a good idea to place a plant saucer in the base to help conserve water.
- Half fill the basket with potting compost making sure it is moist, that way it doesn’t sag down and compact when you water the final basket. If you use a potting compost containing water retaining granules and slow-release fertiliser you shouldn’t need to feed for the first couple of months of the growing season.
- Plant a mix of foliage and flowering plants. Gently push small plants from the outside through the gaps in the side of the basket taking care not to damage their roots. A useful tip is to carefully tap the plant out of its pot then cover the soil with a small plastic bag when pulling through.
- Top up with compost, then add the remaining plants, starting with one large plant in the centre and working outwards with smaller plants.
- Water thoroughly and protect from bright sunlight for a few days before putting in position.
- Last but not least – show off to your creation to friends and neighbours
Suggested plants with latin names to help you locate the plants at the garden centre
Begonia (trailing)
Bidens
Felicia amelloides (Blue Daisy)
Fuschia (Trailing)
Geranium
Helichrysum (Trailing)
Impatiens (Busy Lizzie)
Lobelia
Mimulus
Lotus berthelotii (coral Gem)
Nemesia
Nasturtium
Peargonium (Ivy-leaved Geranium)
Petunia
Portulaca (Swedish Ivy)
Viola or Pansy
For Foliage Try
Cineraria Nepeta
Helichrysum
Lysimachia
Lamium