Petunia and diascia hanging basket

Home
How to
Grow plants
Petunia and diascia hanging basket

BBC Gardeners' World Magazine

Published: Thursday, 18 July 2019 at 10:59 am

Follow our guide to planting up a hanging basket with petunias and diasicas.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecAt Its BestyesyesyesTo Doyesyesyes

Save

Create a jumble of flowers for a hanging basket full of cottage-garden charm. It's also a way of making a big impact and injecting colour into a space. Petunias, geraniums, verbena and diascia all add to this informal scheme.

When planting a hanging basket, choose a colour theme and stick to it - here a strict mix of pink and purple create a traditional look with a modern twist.

Cram as many plants as possible into your basket - that will give you the best possible chance of creating an explosion of flowers.

You Will Need

Hanging basket and liner
Multi-purpose, peat-free compost
Scissors
Purple petunia (3)
Purple diascia (3)
Purple trailing verbena (3)
Lilac ivy-leaf geranium

Step 1

Adding an old plastic bag to the hanging basket liner to aid moisture retention

Use a liner and plastic to line your basket. Make sure both overlap the edges.

Step 2

Planting up the hanging basket

Half fill your basket with compost and create holes in the liner to use for plants.

Step 3

Watering the hanging basket

Top up with compost, plant the top of the basket and water well. Cut away excess liner.

Kevin Smith says...

Take hanging baskets down in windy conditions. This will prevent plants becoming broken and reduce the risk of brackets and hooks getting damaged. Stand them on a large plant pot in a sheltered spot until the weather calms down.

The perfect gift for gardeners

Gift 12 months of Gardeners’ World magazine, and Niwaki Sentei Secateurs, to a loved one. Enjoy year-round expert tips for a thriving garden.

Gift a subscription today

Great gardening savings - straight to your inbox

Sign up to the BBC Gardeners’ World offers newsletter for exclusive deals, seasonal savings, and early access to special promotions.