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I want to hang pots from a trellis in a sunny position (UK) and I'm a complete newbie!

adammcg84adammcg84 Posts: 2
in Garden design
Hello GW, I hope you can help!

I want to grow some plants in some 5" pots (I'm thinking 20-30 of them) from this trellis to create a kind of vertical garden. Ideally there would be some kind of edible component, I'm thinking strawberries, sugar snap peas, that sort of thing. I'd also like the wall to look nice and green, and maybe smell nice?

I know I'm basically asking for everything there :smiley: but any advice on types of plant etc or whether I'm being hopelessly ambitious would be gratefully recieved! It can be incredibly basic advice, because at the moment my entire gardening knowledge consists of buying a ready made planter from B&Q.

Thanks!

Posts

  • BijdezeeBijdezee Posts: 1,484
    Lots of herbs would do well there, mostly the Mediterranean ones, not parsley though. I would get yourself some water holding granules to add to the compost as the pots will dry out quickly.

    Strawberries should do well but you watch out for the birds. There are some cherry tomatoes that are designed for pots etc. 

    You will need to water a lot and feed with liquid tomato feed. Good luck and I hope you get good results. 
  • Ladybird4Ladybird4 Posts: 37,906
    edited April 2020
    Hello Adam and welcome to the forum. First and foremost - before I saw your picture - I was a bit worried as to how robust the trellis would be because the number of pots you mention will prove to be a fair weight. However, it does seem to be a strong one. You need to think about how you will actually attach the pots to the trellis. Also think about the watering and pots above leaking onto the ones below - not a major problem but one to consider. 5 inch pots are not particularly big but you can get tomatoes that are suitable for hanging baskets (Tumbling Tom is one), and that would go with your edibles. Hardy annuals like alyssum, which is very sweetly scented, would grow happily. Any plant recommended for a hanging basket would suit your plan - million bells petunias come in a vast range of colours. None of these would last from year to year, you would need to replant every spring.
    Cacoethes: An irresistible urge to do something inadvisable
  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    I think peas (and beans) would need a bigger root space, but you could try peas to harvest as shoots. Maybe individual lettuce plants if you can give them lots of water. Or salads for baby leaves. Spring onions, chives, maybe the small radishes (not the long oriental ones)
    For some colour, pretty much anything sold for hanging baskets would be OK individuallly in 5" pots.
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • adammcg84adammcg84 Posts: 2
    This is brilliant advice, thank you!

    So looking further, I've seen Gartenperle and Tumbling Tom for the tomatoes, I'll get some ordered.

    Any advice on types of strawberry?
  • Ladybird4Ladybird4 Posts: 37,906
    The little wild strawberry would grow happily in a five inch pot and whilst the fruits are teeny they have the most amazing flavour. They are also quite happy to seed themselves everywhere and are perennial.
    Cacoethes: An irresistible urge to do something inadvisable
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    edited April 2020
    Nasturtiums ought to be happy in those small pots in the sunshine ... and they dont need feeding either ... pretty flowers and leaves and you can eat them in salads or sandwiches and pickle the seeds to use as capers. 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





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