Hanging baskets are great for small spaces and a brilliant way to add colour to otherwise drab walls and fences. They are also fabulous for brightening up patios and around doors.
They are also the ultimate container for growing trailing varieties of exotic plants whether they are flowers, vegetables or even interesting foliage.
We stock a variety of hanging baskets which you can choose to purchase fully planted by us or design yourself at home – here are a few tips from us on making the most of your Spring baskets this year.
Planting
Line the basket with fresh moss
Place a saucer in the bottom of the basket to stop water draining straight through.
Half fill the basket with a good quality potting compost, such as Miracle-Gro Moisture Control Enriched Compost Pots & Baskets, specifically designed for containers.
Slip trailing plants through holes made in the side of the liner and cover the roots with more compost.
Plant up the top of the basket with upright bushy plants, making sure you have plenty of trailing ones around the edge too.
If you make the basket look full at planting time it will produce a much more colourful, dramatic display.
Feeding
Good quality composts such as a moisture controlling compost contain slow-release plant foods that will feed your plants for up to 6 months. Most other composts will run out of steam early and weekly feeding will be necessary if your plants are to flourish throughout the summer and autumn.
To feed just once a season use a product such as Miracle-Gro Continuous Release Plant Food Tablets into the compost to feed your plants for the next 6 months. Use four in a standard 30cm (12in) basket, five in a 35cm (14in) and six in anything larger. If you prefer to feed your plants regularly and want fantastic results, then use a soluble plant food or liquid concentrate. Regular feeding will reward you with big, beautiful baskets full of colour for months on end.
Perfect plants for Hanging Baskets
Flowers: Fuchsia, Petunia, Verbena, Geranium (Pelargonium), Impatiens, Lobelia, Tuberous Begonia, Bidens.
Foliage: Coleus, Cineraria, Felicia, Helichrysum, Lamium, Nepeta, Sage.
Vegetables and other edibles: Tomatoes (Tumbler), Strawberry, Chive, Thyme, Marjoram.
All of the products detailed above are available to purchase at The Flower Shop. You can see a selection of our hanging baskets here