Courtesy of Scotts UK

A Simple Guide to Planting Hanging Baskets

Summertime offers the gardener the widest choice of colourful plants for use in hanging baskets, pots and containers of all kinds. Even the smallest garden can be transformed into a blaze of colour and dull corners rejuvenated.

Planting baskets is one of the easiest and most rewarding aspects of the gardening hobby. For those a little reluctant to take the plunge, here is a simple guide.

The ingredients needed to create a well stocked standard 30cm (12") basket are:-

1. The Mixed Basket

2 Trailing Ivy Leaf Geraniums

4 Trailing Lobelias

5 Petunias

2 Helichrysums

2. The Fuchsia Basket 3 Trailing Fuchsias

1 Upright Fuchsia

4 Trailing Lobelia

2 Variegated Small-Leaved Ivies

3. The Fragrant Herb 1 Plant each of Thyme

Basket Lemon Balm

Rosemary

Mint

Sage

Of course the combinations are limitless, but the general rule of planting is the same. In the case of baskets one taller plant is used in the centre to give height. Trailing species are positioned at equal intervals around the edge of the container, angled to trail over the side

Tubs and window boxes are planted in much the same way, using upright species to give height, trailers to give depth.

The baskets most commonly used are made of plastic or wire frames. The liner can be made from moss, foam, coconut fibre or even a compost bag (black side facing outwards). Sphagnum moss is probably the easiest to plant through and has the advantage of retaining moisture.

Before planting commences the basket is placed in a large pot to avoid tipping and the chain unhooked from one point with pliers and pulled out of the way until needed.

The basket then needs to be lined to a point half-way up the side creating a wall for the basket, then add Levington Compost into the moss layer until it is just below the level of the moss. At this point if required a small plastic saucer can be positioned in the basked to help retain moisture. Cover with another layer of compost and add some sachets of Levington Unifeed fertilizer at the rate of two per 30-35cm (12 - 14"). This slow release fertilizer will ensure that the plants receive sufficient nutrients for the whole season.

Another light sprinkling of compost precedes placing the first 'layer' of plants, preferably with a naturally lax or trailing habit, such as lobelia or nasturtium, through the basket framework. Pushing the roots first to avoid damage to stems, at about 5cm (2") intervals.

In time they will form a cascade around the basket which will completely obscure the container itself, even after hanging. Where a plastic or foam liner is used in place of moss, slits just large enough for the plants to be inserted should be made.

More moss is now added to the sides of the basket, making sure that it is well packed around the first layer of plants to prevent too much leakage of water and compost when watering. Fill the remaining basket with compost, slightly overfilling to allow for sinkage (at no stage during filling should the compost be firmed) and select the plants which are to be planted into the top of the basket.

One plant is chosen for the centre to give the basket height, usually an upright species such as zonal geranium, verbena, fuchsia or petunia. Trailing types are then planted at an angle around the side to encourage them to grow to the edge to meet the first layer below. These may include lobelia, trailing fuchsias, helichrysum, campanula, ivy-leaved geraniums etc.

When the planting is complete the basket should be given a light tapping on the bench to settle the compost.

Water thoroughly and either place, still on the large pot for support, on the greenhouse staging or in the conservatory until the danger of frost is definitely over or hang in place after carefully replacing the chain.

When siting the finished container outdoors avoid windy sites, or sites in complete shade.