Baskets Full of Colour!

So here's our guide to creating a simple but very effective basket plus a few pointers on keeping it looking lovely until autumn. It’s based on a 14” basket but you can adapt it to suit any size and shape.

To start, sit the basket on top of a sturdy pot for stability. Pack a thin layer of moss about a third of the way up the sides of the basket to form a wall. It’s easier if you press a piece flat on your hand before placing in the basket.

Mix controlled release fertiliser and water retention gel into your compost then add to the basket and plant the sides with 3 trailing plants, just above the moss and equally spaced apart.

Now repeat the process, adding another thin layer of moss and more compost until about three quarters full, then place another 3 trailing plants alternately round the sides. We love trailing petunia, bacopa, bidens, nepeta or lobelia.

Pack moss around the edges of the basket to the top, then fill with compost and place an upright plant in the middle, geraniums, fuschias and marigolds will work really well.

Plant some upright bedding around the central plant, then add some trailing plants around the edge to complete your basket.

Once planted, you will need to water your baskets regularly so it may be worth installing a drip watering system to make watering easier.

The plants in your baskets will also need deadheading frequently and a regular feed, best done once a week with a liquid feed such as Miracle-Gro. With this care, your basket should flower until the autumn frosts.

For the best results, place your hanging basket in a sunny but sheltered position and turn your basket frequently for an even display.