It spreads very vigorously here (as well as seeding around) so there's always plenty to spare just from keeping the main clump within bounds. Don't know why I never thought of using it for almost-free baskets (just add compost).
Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
Thanks for all the replies, really appreciate it! I haven't had a chance to think about them all yet. But wanted to post some photos of my hanging baskets.
I can post up the measurements but probably it is clear what the sizes are?
I liked the idea of some ornamental grass in each to give height and they'd also be something to look at during the winter. But maybe my baskets are too small to combine grass with other perennials that flower during summer?
The grass Stipa tenuissima will be fine in your larger baskets, along with other perennials. It has a small rootball and remains quite compact. No need to provide measurements, your photos give a good indication of space!
I’m going to try lavender in the boxes/ baskets on the walls on the south- and west-facing walls this year. Hoping it’ll work because they’ll get lots of sun and heat, they don’t mind dry soil, and would be lovely if they filled out.
Munstead or Hidcote are good choices. They are English lavenders and more able to cope with cold and wet over winter. Also, they are sweeter smelling than French lavenders. All lavenders prefer free draining soil so add plenty of grit to your compost. I use a mix of 50:50 topsoil and grit. Don’t grow them with other plants that need regular feeding or more moisture retentive soil. Prune them after flowering in August so that they produce fresh foliage and look good over winter. Otherwise they can get woody quickly and look unattractive.
Try Erigeron karvinskianus, it can flower until December in mild locations. It has a cascading habit so you may want to combine it with something upright like the evergreen grass Stipa tenuissima which would be happy in that space.
Thanks for the advice! I went with erigeron and stipa tenuissima in some baskets. The erigeron can't be seen yet, hopefully it comes up! In two other baskets I put lavender in them, that wall gets plenty of sun so hopefully they'll do well.
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I can post up the measurements but probably it is clear what the sizes are?
I liked the idea of some ornamental grass in each to give height and they'd also be something to look at during the winter. But maybe my baskets are too small to combine grass with other perennials that flower during summer?