Guide to Summer Hanging Baskets
There can be few more joyful sites than a hanging basket in full bloom. Synonymous with British summertime these plump, verdant, vibrant baskets of blossoms offer numerous choices when it comes to shape, style and planting.
Whether you are potty about Petunias, loopy over Lobelia or just plain nuts about your Nasturtiums, summer hanging baskets give you the chance to flex your creative gardening muscle in an infinite array of colours and sizes guaranteed to brighten up even the smallest of spaces. There is much to consider when it comes to what to plant and where to hang them. Here are our top five tips for your summer hanging baskets.
Choosing your baskets and liners
When choosing the hanging basket itself, the choices are seemingly endless. If you are buying your basket then there is no shortage of ideas including the traditional wire framed baskets, solid plastic – some of which include a water reservoir to help make watering a breeze – and then there are wicker and straw versions for a more natural, rustic feel. You could even get creative and make your own. Planting up an old colander or enamel kitchen bowl for a retro feel or hanging an old watering can or teapot filled with your favourite flowers.
No matter which basket you choose, the most important decision is the liner as this holds the key to water retention in the soil. The three main types of liners tend to be Sphagnum Moss, Cocoa and Supamoss and each has its advantages and disadvantages.
- Sphagnum Moss - has excellent water-retaining properties making it great in bigger baskets. While it looks great, it can be fiddly to use and the birds love it! You might find that after all your hard work, the local starlings are making off with your basket liner.
- Cocoa liners - usually pre-moulded which helps speed things up, but because they are thicker, it means they are no good for planting on the sides of baskets.
- Supamoss - a plastic product, although some variations are made with vegetable fibres, it does offer versatility and enables good drainage thanks to hundreds of holes. It can easily be cut to size too making it the perfect choice for the more creative basket maker!
Planting in your summer hanging baskets
Consider the size of the space you have to hang your basket and don’t forget that plants will grow so be careful not to overplant your summer baskets. The bigger the basket the more choice you will have when it comes to picking larger and more vibrant plants.
Smaller baskets can be beautiful too and less blooms means less pruning – consider hanging several smaller baskets in place of one bigger one.
Which plants should I choose for my summer hanging basket?
Having a particular plant in mind can help with your choice of hanging basket and the best advice is to go for 2-3 different species and between 6 to 9 plants per basket.
- Lobelia is a great side planter that will trail nicely to add length to your basket.
- Pansies are quite hardy and can be planted early and last throughout the summer.
- Petunias grow quickly and are great for filling a hanging basket fast.
- Fuchsias and geraniums add a riot of colour in hues of popping pink and ruby red.
- Nasturtiums can give a citrus burst of colour to your baskets and with both the flower and leaves being edible, can also add a peppery hit to your summer salads.
- Verbena is also a lovely basket filler with small flower heads and endless colour combinations.
- You could also plant a herb garden hanging basket with soft-stemmed herbs such as basil, mint, dill and parsley.
The beauty of this planting combination is the scent it will give off as the plants gently waft in the summer breeze. Tomatoes also do well in summer hanging baskets enjoying the combination of lots of sunlight and good drainage. Weeding, watering and feeding your summer hanging basket.
Watering and weeding
The amount of watering your hanging basket will need will vary depending on the size of the basket and the liner you have chosen. The larger the basket the more water it will hold – especially if your container has a water reservoir. Plants should be watered as soon as the soil becomes dry to the touch. On hot sunny days aim to water once a day and water until it begins to flow out of the bottom of the container.
Keep on top of any weeds that find their way into your planting with a daily check and at the same time nip out any dead-heads and prune where necessary. A Henchman Fully Adjustable Tripod Ladder will help you to gain height above the hanging baskets making pruning and weeding an easy task. There are a host of hanging basket feed options on the market and many more opinions on the best type! Good quality compost will contain slow-release plant foods to help give your blooms a boost.
Where should I hang my summer hanging basket?
The beauty of the hanging baskets is that they can be hung anywhere, adding colour and texture to areas of the garden where you might not normally get plant growth such as along fences, the front porch or the corner of the shed roof. Hanging baskets bring vertical interest to the garden and require only minimal preparation in terms of securing fixings.
The most important thing to remember when hanging your basket is to use a suitable ladder. Most gardens are not completely level, so using an adjustable tripod ladder ensures you can stay level on uneven ground.
Featuring three separately adjustable legs and is lightweight and easy to store, making it the ideal partner for your hanging basket maintenance. Available in sizes from 5ft to 16ft.
