How to plant hanging baskets

How to create beautiful hanging baskets.

Be the envy of all your neighbours this year and show off with stunning hanging basket displays! Hanging baskets add colour, height and interest into any garden display- so why not make yours stand out from the rest?

Here’s our top tips for show-stopping hanging baskets:

• To plant your hanging basket, a great tip is to rest it on a large flower pot or bucket. Not only will this lift the basket up and give it something to rest on- it catches spilled compost so you can use it later!
• There are lots of hanging basket styles to choose from. Some are ready lined and some aren’t. The next thing you need to do is add a liner if necessary. See our great selection of coco liners here.
• Next- prepare your compost. It’s important to make sure that your plants are well fed and watered when in a hanging basket, so choose your compost carefully. You can buy hanging basket compost, or mix all-purpose compost with slow-release fertiliser and water retaining gel yourself.
• Start planting! Remember to plant up the sides first. If you’re using a wire basket with a liner- gently push the plants through the liner and secure into the compost. Cover the remainder of the roots and then use the rest of the plants for the top- starting in the middle first. If you’re using a wicker  or plastic hanging basket, plant around the edges first, pointing the plants outwards to encourage them to grow over the sides. Trailing plants such as lobelia or ivy are perfect for this.
• Once all the plants are in place, gently add more compost around the rootballs and firm in place with your fingers. Keep the final level of compost a few centimetres below the top to allow room for watering.
• Add a sprinkle of slow-release fertiliser on top and water immediately.

Snip Tip: Its important to remember that the average basket/ container contains a small amount of compost in relation to the amount of plants. This means that nutrients will run low very quickly, so applying a dilute liquid feed once a week will help to keep them looking their best.

 

 

So….what to plant?

We reckon the best bet for pretty displays this year means planting lobelia, busy lizzies, dwarf French marigolds, alyssum and annual dianthus. These are great weather tolerant plants, that aren’t always so common in this mix. The old favourite, petunias will always look great and add colour to any garden. Make sure to give them a well sheltered spot- under and arch or awning, as they like ‘traditional’ weather!

Snip Tip: Hanging baskets can be really heavy! If you’re fixing them to a wall or fence, make sure your brackets are up to the job! Remember to fix into the brick and not the mortar!

So…may the best gardener win!