Maintaining An Interesting Hanging Basket Throughout The Year

Hanging baskets are traditionally associated with the summer, but they can also be enjoyed at other times of the year. Spring baskets, possibly involving some dwarf bulbs, such as daffodils, irises or crocuses, with a few early bedding plants, are always a delight, but it is also possible to enjoy baskets in autumn with a combination of tender perennials, which seem to go on flowering for ever, with the addition of some late-sown annuals.

Winter baskets offer less scope, but it is still possible to have some choice of colour. Choose robust, winter-flowering heathers and hardy pansies, and even dainty ivies, whether colourful variegated varieties or plain green, can be surprisingly interesting and attractive.

Sun Or Shade
Once you have decided where your baskets are to go, the amount of sun or shade the position offers will influence your choice of plants. Many of the summer flowers are sun worshippers, but remember that in a very sheltered spot against a warm wall, the heat on a hot summers day will be intense. Reserve such a favoured spot for real exotics, such as South African osteospermums. Many plants will thrive in shade. Lobelias are shade tolerant, and begonias and busy lizzies actually prefer it. Fuchsias usually do best if kept out of direct sun.

Size Matters
The size of the basket is an important consideration. Although large baskets are the most spectacular and can house the greatest number of plants, they will take up a lot of space when the plants are mature and will be heavy, particularly when wet. That can be an issue if you need to move the basket for any reason. However, a large basket would be first choice for growing fruit and vegetables, which normally need a good root run to develop properly. Smaller baskets create a daintier effect but perhaps offer less scope for exciting colour combinations.

Getting Started
Once you have decided what you want your hanging baskets to provide, you can begin to explore the many types that are available and decide which best suits your needs and the style of planting you have in mind.

Types of Hanging Baskets
Hanging baskets come in all shapes and sizes, and when you come to shop for one you will be amazed at the range available. The traditional basket is half a sphere and is usually made of plastic coated wire, with three chains to hang from. Wrought iron is also sometimes used, especially for hay baskets, which are meant to be fixed directly against a wall.

More ornate antique baskets (and, increasingly, reproductions of these) can be found, but decorative as these are, they are usually less sturdy, so are less suitable for a very heavy planting.
Decide whether it is the basket itself or the plants that are in it that will be the focus of interest. Some baskets really are baskets and are made of wicker or bamboo or some other twiggy material. Many are beautiful to look at and are perhaps best with a simple planting. It is not always possible, or indeed advisable, to plant through the sides of such containers.

Unless they have been treated with some kind of preservative, they will be vulnerable to changes in the weather and may dry out and split in hot sun. They may need to be replaced after a few seasons, while a metal basket is virtually indestructible and will last for many more years than those made of wicker or bamboo.

The ideal basket is strong but lightweight. It will be heavy enough once it is full of moist soil and all the plants have reached their optimum size so you do not want to start off with a heavy basket that is going to add substantially to the overall weight. Some baskets are sold already lined with plastic, but remember to pierce this before use to allow for drainage.