Osteospermum, petunia and verbena hanging basket

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Osteospermum, petunia and verbena hanging basket

BBC Gardeners' World Magazine

Create a stylish display using osteospermum, petunia and verbena.

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This pretty hanging basket display uses purple-flowered plants to dramatic effect. The purple osetospermum sits at the centre of the display, with the darker-flowered verbena around it, and the petunia plants trailing over the edge. Hang this basket in a sunny spot and deadhead spent blooms regularly, and you'll have a glorious, rich display throughout summer.

You Will Need

Purple osteospermum
Petunia 'Priscilla'
Heuchera 'Obsidian'
Brachyscome 'Strawberry Pink'
Verbena 'Lanai Purple with Eye'
Cone hanging basket with plastic liner
Multi-purpose, peat-free compost
Slow-release fertiliser

Step 1

Hanging basket in a pot

Place the basket in an empty, sturdy plant pot, to make planting easier.

Step 2

Cutting drainage holes in the hanging basket

Cut drainage holes in the plastic lining, so water can pass through.

Step 3

Planting up the hanging basket

Fill two-thirds with compost, add slow-release fertiliser granules and mix them in with your hands. Plant the osteospermum in the centre of the basket, firming well.

Step 4

Adding compost around the plants

Plant the other plants around the osteospermum, making sure the petunias can spill over the sides of the basket, and leaving plenty of space for growth. Fill in any gaps with compost and firm all plants in well.

Step 5

Watering the hanging basket

Water the basket thoroughly and allow to drain before hanging it in its final position.

Kevin Smith says...

Hanging baskets are thirsty and need a lot of water to thrive. Be sure to water them once a day, sometimes twice in very hot weather. Stand a bucket under baskets to catch excess water – this way nothing goes to waste.

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