Hanging baskets

Last year I bought 2 14" hanging baskets that I put outside the front door. They were from B&Q and were the black metal ones with gaps inbetween. I used the hessian type liners and cut a few random holes around the side for trailing Lobelia. I used Surfinia Petunia as the main plants to trail ontop. The results were very good considering, but I want to make it much better this year.


I have decided on Surfinia Petunia only baskets this time and I already have the red/white/blue varieties as plugs (I know, union jack, wedding and all that!).

I want a really nice even spread on the baskets with a really 'full' round display that will completely hide the baskets. I have decided not to buy those horrible difficult to cut hessian liners again this time and now have some thick woolly material that I have acquired from a local nursery.


What I would like to know is how many plants should I use of each colour per basket and how should I distribute them (top, middle etc.) for the best results!

 

I plant 14" baskets . For planting through the sides I use 3 trailing petunias and 3 nepeta ( pic below) , the nepeta will trail down to the ground with lovely variagated leaves. All garden centres will stock this plant. Normally in a 14" I would put in one centre plant and 6 around the sides. I think 3 Surfinia would fill a basket though - you could put 5 in and move a couple out if it does get crowded. Line your basket with an old bin liner to reduce water loss , just put a small slit in the bottom for drainage. Good quality compost , slow release fertiliser pellets and water retaining gel . Feed with tomato food from August onwards and it should last until the middle of October

 

Hi Julie
I never put plants through the side of the basket as it seems pointless when the likes of Surfina will cascade several feet over the sides covering all signes of liner and basket,plenty of food and water.
These in the pic. I did for a client they are 16".....the bigger the better.
As regards numbers of plants it's up to you,my advise is when you think you have planted enough,squeeze another couple in.

 

Thats a fantastic basket Roders ! Are the lilac and white coloured ones double petunias ? I am growing them for the first time this year, double purple pirouette F1 .

 

Fab basket Iam glad you dont live by me or I would have competition on my hands , every one waits for me to put them out as they KNOW Iam into gardening big time , I had a new person move in very early last year and she put hers out before me !!! two of the neigbhours poited this out to me as if they had caused a scandal LOL

Spruce

 

Yeap I have to agree , thats a cracker roders.
Also thanks to harry for naming NEPETA, I have been wondering what this was called.
I now shall go is search for nepeta for my baskets.

 

Wow Roders - that's amazing I love it!

I've done one for the first time this year, I put pansies in it, but to be honest it looks a bit small and sad. I didn't put anything in the sides, and I think that was a big mistake.

So if I wanted something a bit like that, I'd just plant trailing petunias in the top and water and feed? That sounds do-able......(famous last words)

 

Got to get some "nepeta" .

Around here its a race to get the baskets out first ,ready or not.

I always hang on until its starting to look like filling out,the nepeta will help.

"Plectranthus " is another green plant that hangs down and looks good.

 

Roders, that basket is beautiful!!

 

Thanks shiney for that info. I appreciate it.