Hanging baskets of flowers can enhance any garden, but caring for them requires a bit of specialist knowledge if you don’t want them to turn into basket cases…
A hanging basket full of beautiful blooms and cascading colour is one of the easiest and most effective ways of making your home look glorious, whether it’s sprucing up your patio, porch or garden. But many gardeners struggle to keep their hanging baskets thriving throughout summer, particularly those that are planted in springtime. The gardening experts at Phostrogen have come up some simple tips and tricks to keep your hanging baskets blossoming for months.
Position carefully
One of the most overlooked elements of hanging baskets is the location of the basket itself. Just as you would with any other flower in your beds and borders, it is important to consider the type of plant and its requirements. A basket full of shade-dwelling fuchsias or begonias placed in direct sunlight will quickly wilt, and equally, placing sun-loving plants like petunias in the shade will mean they soon fade, too.
The elements also play a significant factor in the success of your hanging baskets, so ensure you choose an area that is sheltered from the wind. Not only will protecting flowers from strong gusts reduce the risk of the basket falling and protect delicate blooms from being blown away, but it will also reduce the amount of watering required. Of course, ensure the hanging basket is securely fixed to the wall, fence or hook – baskets can become heavy after a good watering, so it’s important it is safely attached.
Don’t forget to rotate your hanging basket every so often to avoid plants growing unevenly and be sure to prune back leggy growth for a beautiful display. Deadhead regularly to encourage repeat blooms and allow your plant to flourish all throughout the summer.
Water deeply
Plants in pots, containers and baskets dry out much more quickly than plants in beds and borders, so it’s important to keep an eye on your hanging baskets throughout the summer. You’ll know if your hanging basket is in need of watering when the soil looks dry and it feels much lighter in weight than usual. Don’t forget that smaller baskets will dry out more quickly than larger baskets, so pay special attention to them.
