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Hanging Basket

Cecelia-LCecelia-L Posts: 120
in Plants
Hi! 

Does anyone have any experience in creating hanging baskets? I haven’t the faintest idea where to start. 

Size of basket, colour combination and plant suggestions? 

The width of the wall is 5 meters. South facing. Red brick with black wooden window and door. 

Which type of basket is most durable? I am aware of the water and feeding needs and I am committed to it. I also know I need to change the plants every year. 

Is it a lot of work to have two lots of basket? A summer floral one and an evergreen one for winter? 

Looking forward to seeing the replies! 

Thank you! 

Posts

  • bcpathomebcpathome Posts: 1,313
    Yes that’s possible,have you decided what colour plants you want? The time is getting on and most of the basket plants are sold but if you can find them I would put a high growing plant in the middle ( presumably your basket will be round) such as a fuchsia ,a small one for baskets ,and fill round the edges with something like petunia and trailing other plants . The garden centre will be able to advise you which are trailing . Don’t have too many different ones or it can look messy. You must water the soil every day to keep the plants looking good . 
    As for winter , mostly trailing ivy and whatever the garden centre has ,maybe winter pansies or whatever. I never do winter ones myself . Hope that helps .
  • Cecelia-LCecelia-L Posts: 120
    Right now I am thinking mainly red with a touch of white. Inspired by Austrian/Swiss chalet window boxes. 
    I grew up in Austria and the trailing geranium are rather nostalgic for me. Never cared much for gardening when I was kid! Wish I had paid more attention back then. 

    I imagine the bigger the better when it comes to hanging baskets? 
  • Jenny_AsterJenny_Aster Posts: 945
    edited June 2023
    The geraniums you want are trailing or ivy-leaf. Maybe place a specimen plant in the centre, something like a begonia. Trailing lobelia, petunias and alyssum provides a great contrast and are easy to grow.

    As for building the basket, take a look on youtube, for good instructions and ideas (better than trying to explain).

    As for which basket, I bought two new baskets this year and I'm really impressed with them. They've got a 'sort of' reservoir at the base to help keep the compost moist, yet doesn't stop any drainage from over watering. No lining is necessary with them, which helps.



     My two types of hanging baskets. 




    Trying to be the person my dog thinks I am! 

    Cambridgeshire/Norfolk border.
  • Nanny BeachNanny Beach Posts: 8,719
    You are probably too late for this year. As for south facing, avoid the begonias, they prefer at least semi-shade. Depending where you live,as to when you do your baskets,I used to do mine every Easter. It was a sort of ritual,then last year,late frosts through May,all mine with tiny frost tender plants had to sit in the conservatory. Our dining table, every window sill and a couple of side tables, nearly drove me barmy! Didn't have family round for Easter Sunday lunch. This year, baskets done early May. I plant what I fancy, often it's "themes", specific colours. This year...gay abandon!!! I have a couple of nice cream metal ones, I think the rust adds to the charm. I don't like plastic.... sorry! Also in a south facing aspect,you will find it difficult to keep a basket with side 'pockets' watered, trust me, I have been there! I have wicker ones which are quite a few years old,kept till they fall to bits. Normally at least 12,pared down this year due to lots of health issues. I have a lovely solid iron one bought at a closing down quirky nursery. I also use an old cullender,and metal sink drainer. The balcons aren't out yet. Winter,yes, pansies, anything you like. Sorry for length of post! Be warned,a lot of forkers on here hate hanging baskets 😂 my back garden is north facing, but because it's an unoverlooked bungalow,gets sun somewhere from sunrise to sunset. My north facing conservatory can reach 44c,so the orchids in flower,get put in hanging baskets under the fruit trees,it's way to hot and dry indoors, they are much easier to feed and water. They go crazy I have 2 in my lounge which have been flowering since I brought them back indoors last September.
  • Nanny BeachNanny Beach Posts: 8,719

  • PlantmindedPlantminded Posts: 3,580
    If you can't find any suitable bedding plants now, some perennials suit hanging baskets well.  I'd recommend Erigeron karvinskianus which can flower until December.  I have some in borders and containers.  A sun lover which will also cope well in shade, one plant will be enough, it will gently cascade over the edge.

    I've seen trailing geraniums at local garden centres recently so you may get some of them now.  Over winter, winter pansies will give you flowers and colour. I prefer violas which are widely available at that time of year.
    Wirral. Sandy, free draining soil.


  • bcpathomebcpathome Posts: 1,313
    Well yes as long as your support or hook will hold it . Trailing geranium are in the garden centres and shops right now , they would look good with any white plant round them . Nice choice . 
  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190
    We never use the rawl plug and screws that come supplied with the brackets,  always use more substation ones. 
    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • Cecelia-LCecelia-L Posts: 120
    Lovely stuff. Thanks for all your help. 

    Initially I was planning on getting the baskets next year. Surprisingly I may be able to get them in much sooner. Wonderful! 
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    edited June 2023
    @Cecelia-L The Geranium you are thinking of is the Balcon variety. Lots at my local GC last week.
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
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