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Overview
Mixing contrasting colours, such as lime-green leaves and wine-coloured flowers, is always eye catching. Ipomoea 'Sweet Caroline' is grown for its unusual bright-green foliage and Calibrachoa 'Million Bells Cherry' gives an extra zing. We also added Osteospermum 'Tresco Purple' and rosy Diascia 'Red Ace' although any crimson or maroon trailing bedding plant would work well.
Do it:
May - June
At its best:
July - September
How to do it
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Prop the basket on a bucket and line it with moist grass clippings. To help retain moisture add a layer of plastic inside this. -
Snip a few drainage holes into the plastic, then fill the basket two-thirds full with compost (mixed with water-retaining gel). Plant the ipomoea and osteospermum off centre. -
A reservoir makes watering large baskets more efficient, so place a 9cm pot in the centre of the basket with the rim sitting just above the compost. Water via the pot. -
Plant the calibrachoa and diascia around the edge, where their flowers will quickly trail. Pop in some slow-release plant food (you'll need around five pellets per 35cm basket). -
Give your plants a good water, making sure you fill the central reservoir with water, which will gradually soak into the surrounding compost.
"Choose a sunny spot for your hanging basket, although some shade for part of the day will take the pressure off watering."
"Remember to water your baskets at least once a day, or more frequently, when it's hot and dry or windy."
