Embrace the new trend for over-the-top planters and add a BLAST OF COLOUR up high
Banish the idea that hanging baskets are a bit old-school and need lots of looking after! They’re being embraced by a whole new generation who don’t have much outdoor space or much time to tend to them, with a distinctive and altogether more dazzling look. Add in this year’s maximalist garden trend and it means that the hanging basket is having a moment!
When you plant your summer basket very much depends on where you live and how sheltered your garden is. These plants won’t cope with temperatures below 5°C so you’ll have to wait until you’re confident the last frost is behind you, or keep your basket in a conservatory or frost-free greenhouse till then. Wrapping Plant Cosies (£4.99/2 agralan.co.uk) around a basket can help you cheat a bit-chilly night if you get caught out, but it’s best to wait till spring is in full swing and the warmer weather is reliably here.
1 EMBRACE BOUNTIFUL BEDDING PLANTS
These are the go-to heroes of your hanging basket and come in all shapes, sizes and colours, allowing you to create whatever fanciful hanging wonder you want. Fill your baskets with these easy-going blooms and as long as you water, feed and deadhead regularly, they’ll flower right through to autumn. Plug plants are the cheapest option and, as soon as temperatures reach 10-12°C, will romp away. If you’re planting when it’s frost-free but there’s still a nip in the air, then more established plants in 9cm pots cost a little more but are sturdier.
✽ CALIBRACHOA ‘DOUBLE CAN-CAN WINE RED’
We love this million bells beauty because it flowers from June to November and, according to Sarah Raven, doesn’t need any deadheading! £12.95/3 x 9cm pots sarahraven.com
✽ GERANIUM ‘SUMMER TWIST RED AND WHITE’
Wow! This beauty with star-shaped serrated-edged flowers is a joy to be viewed at eye-level. £9.99/5 large plug plants brooksidenursery.co.uk
✽ VERBENA ‘VOODOO RED STAR’
This tumbling candy-striped lovely is drought- and heat-tolerant and loved by passing pollinators. £14/3 young plants hayloft.co.uk
✽ BACOPA ‘SCOPIA DOUBLE LAVENDER’
Masses of pretty lavender-blue flowers smother the long stems all summer long. £ 11.98/6 super plugs marshallsgarden.com
✽ PETCHOA ‘BEAUTICAL CARAMEL YELLOW’
This hybrid annual combines the best of calibrachoa and petunia (no sticky foliage!). Admire its splashy sunshine yell
