How to create a summer hanging basket

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How to create a summer hanging basket

BBC Gardeners' World Magazine

Published: Sunday, 24 March 2019 at 3:00 pm

Fill your hanging basket with pinks and oranges, for an eye-catching display. We show you how to make it.

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This eye catching orange-themed summer hanging basket features diascia, fuchsia and heuchera, and is easy to make. Choose a pre-moulded coir basket to make it even more simple. It doesn't really matter which plants you use, as long as you have some to fill the centre, plus trailing plants to spill gracefully over the sides.

You Will Need

Ipomoea 'Sweet Caroline' (1)
Calibrachoa 'Million Bells Cherry' (3)
Osteospermum 'Tresco Purple' (1)
Diascia 'Red Ace' (6)
36cm metalware basket, grass clippings
Multi-purpose, peat-free compost
Slow-release fertiliser

Step 1

How to create a summer hanging basket - lining the basket

Prop the basket on a bucket and line it with moist grass clippings. Alternatively you can buy a pre-moulded coir basket. To help retain moisture add a layer of plastic inside this.

Step 2

How to create a summer hanging basket -planting the taller plants

Snip a few drainage holes into the plastic, then fill the basket two-thirds full with compost (mixed with water-retaining gel). Plant the tallest plants off centre.

Step 3

How to create a summer hanging basket -planting trailing plants

Plant the trailing plants around the edge, where their flowers will quickly grow over the sides.

Step 4

How to create a summer hanging basket - feeding the plants

It's important to keep plants well fed, so give them a boost of liquid plant food, such as tomato fertiliser, at this stage.

Step 5

How to create a summer hanging basket - watering the basket

Give your plants a good water, and allow to drain before hanging the basket in its final position.

Remember to water your baskets at least once a day, or more frequently, when it's hot and dry or windy.

Watering can

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