Head-turning hanging baskets!

Hanging basket at the Waldringfield Maybush by Katie's Garden Plant Centre

Whatever the size of your garden, there is always room for a hanging basket!

Give them pride of place by the front door to greet you every time you get home - whilst brightening up the street scene for the benefit of all - or use them as an excuse to pack in even more flowers into your back garden.

Brackets are easily attached to anything wooden such as fence posts, sheds, arbours and pergolas. It’s only if going into brick walls that you will need a drill.

As with all summer annuals, basket plants are a great opportunity to have some fun trying out your design skills without spending a lot of money or waiting months or years for results.

Baskets and planters also give you the chance to increase your plant knowledge, as the plants you use all have different roles to play thanks to their differing habits.

Baskets aren’t just about trailing plants: you need mounds and froth too to achieve that full-bodied look.

The colour mix you go for is entirely down to what you like, so don’t worry about ‘rules’ such as not putting orange and pink together. This is your chance to experiment to find combinations that put a smile on your face.

Texture can make a big difference, mixing up big bloomed Petunias with the sprays of Lobelias and
the fireworks of Pelargoniums, for example.

For stunning displays, quality compost and long-release fertiliser are a must.

Watering is also crucial. Gel crystals can be added to reduce the frequency of waterings to every few days. It might sound counterintuitive but larger baskets are easier to have, as they don’t dry out as quickly as smaller ones.

If you have a basket with a coir lining then make sure you place a sheet of plastic in the bottom to stop water flushing straight through. In contrast, if your basket has a full plastic lining make sure you pierce a few drainage holes in the sides to prevent waterlogging.

Order basket bundles and pre-planted baskets at www.katiesgarden.co.uk/shop-online