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Hanging baskets

Michelle IrvineMichelle Irvine Posts: 3
in Plants

I am looking to try something different with my hanging baskets over winter. I do love cyclamen and winter pansies but would like to have a change. My summer baskets are nearly done - which I think is early this year or is it my inexperience? I normally change them over towards the end of September but I really don't think they are going to last til then this year.

I was thinking about maybe trying Hostas but am not sure if this would work.

Can anyone offer any suggestions image

Thank you 

 

Posts

  • fidgetbonesfidgetbones Posts: 17,617

    Hanging baskets shouldnt be done yet. Give it a good dead heading and a feed and plenty of water.

    Hostas die down in winter, I cant see them working in hanging baskets.

    Some of the trailing variegated ivies would work in a hanging basket over winter.   Also polyanthus or primulas as well as pansies.

  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,064

    I agree.  Dead head and feed and maybe take them down and give them a good soak in a bucket and then water morning and evening plus a weekly feed till mid September.   Composts have only enough food for a max of 100 days so yours are probably hungry now.

    It's also a bit too warm still for winter hanging baskets but you could try using small spring bulbs - dwarf daffs such as Minnow - small evergreen ornamental grasses such as carex or blue fescue would give movement and the hardier heucheras would give you contrasting foliage colour and form.

     

    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • Tiny01Tiny01 Posts: 72
    Sorry to hijack but my summer baskets could do with a feed to give them a new lease of life , what feed product would you recommend ?
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,064

    Liquid tomato food as it encourages flowering.

    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • NGLittleSeedlingsNGLittleSeedlings Posts: 729

    In Winter baskets you can also use plants such as small Conifers, trailers such as ivy as already suggested, small box plants / shrubs that could also be planted out into larger pots or the garden when the baskets are ready to be changed for the Summer.
    I also like Tete a Tete bulbs in mine too along with Primroses and other various bedding.
    I have some baskets containing these plants as 'permanent' baskets along with my seasonal ones, if you decide to do this make sure you use a John Innes compost instead of Multi purpose as they hold more nutrients.

    If your wanting something simpler and easier to maintain why not try Heuchera's? 

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