Hanging Baskets For The Summer

There are few things more beautiful than a flowering hanging basket. In summer, these lush, green, vibrant baskets full of flowers offer endless possibilities in terms of shape, style and planting.

Whether you love petunias, are enthusiastic about lobelias, or simply like nasturtiums, summer hanging baskets offer the opportunity to showcase your creative gardening skills in an endless variety of colors and sizes to brighten up even the smallest space.

But there's a lot to consider when deciding what to plant and where to hang them. Read on for Henchman's top five tips for your summer hanging baskets.

Which summer hanging baskets are the best?

When it comes to choosing the hanging basket itself, the choices seem endless. There are plenty of ideas available when purchasing your basket, including traditional wire baskets, solid plastic baskets - some with their own water reservoir to make watering easier - and of course there are also wicker and straw models for a more natural, rustic look.

You can even get creative and make your own basket. Your imagination is the only limit here. You could plant an old colander or an enameled kitchen hanging bowl for a retro look. Or how about hanging an old watering can or teapot with your favorite flowers?

You should line the hanging basket, this is really important when it comes to retaining water in the soil. The three types of lining are usually sphagnum moss, coco coir and supamoss and each has its advantages and disadvantages.

Sphagnum moss has excellent water retention properties, making it ideal for larger baskets. While it looks great, it can be awkward to handle and is very popular with birds, so after all your hard work, you might find the starlings making off with your basket liner!

Coir liners are usually pre-formed, which speeds up the job, but because they are thicker, they are not suitable for planting on the sides of baskets. Supamoss is a plastic product (although some variants are made from plant-based fiber) and offers versatility and good drainage thanks to hundreds of holes. It is also easy to cut to size, making it the perfect choice for the more creative basket maker!

Consider the size of the space you plan to hang your basket in, and don't forget that plants will grow, so be careful not to over-plant your summer baskets. The bigger your basket, the more options you'll have to choose bigger, more vigorous plants.

But small is beautiful and fewer flowers mean less pruning – why not hang several smaller baskets instead of one big one?

Which plants should I choose for my summer hanging basket?

Choosing a specific plant can help when choosing a hanging basket, and the best advice is to choose 2-3 different species and between 6 and 9 plants per basket. After that, it's up to you.

Lobelias are an excellent companion plant that will hang down beautifully and add length to your basket. Pansies are quite hardy and can be planted early and bloom all summer long. Petunias grow quickly so are great for filling a hanging basket quickly and fuchsias and geraniums add a burst of colour in bright pinks and ruby ​​reds. Nasturtiums can add a citrusy pop of colour to your baskets and since both the flowers and leaves are edible they can also add a tangy flavour to your summer salads. Verbena is also a lovely filler plant for your basket with small flower heads and endless color combinations. You could also plant a hanging basket with herbs including gentle herbs like basil, mint, dill and parsley.

The beauty of this plant combination is the fragrance they give off as the plants sway gently in the summer breeze. Tomatoes also do well in summer hanging baskets and like plenty of sunlight and good drainage. Remove weeds, water and fertilize your summer hanging basket.

The amount of water your hanging basket needs will vary depending on the size of the basket and the liner you've chosen. The larger the basket, the more water it will hold - especially if your basket has a water reservoir. Plants should be watered as soon as the soil feels dry to the touch. On warm sunny days, the aim is to water once a day until it runs out of the bottom of the container.

Keep weeds at bay by making daily checks while removing dead blooms and pruning when necessary. There are many options for hanging basket fertilizer on the market and even more opinions on the best type! High-quality compost soil contains slow-release plant food to encourage your flowers. Tomato plant fertilizer can also be added to help the plants thrive.

Where should I hang my summer hanging basket?

The beauty of hanging baskets is that they can be hung virtually anywhere and can add color and texture to places in the garden where plants wouldn't normally grow, such as along fences, by the front door, or in the corner of the shed roof. Hanging baskets bring vertical design to the garden and require minimal preparation in terms of attachment.

The most important thing when hanging your basket and watering is to use a suitable ladder.

Traditional step ladders can be uneven, so Henchman offers Tripod Platform Ladders , ideal for working at heights or on uneven or sloping terrain, providing additional safety and support.

The Tripod Ladder is unique to Henchman

It has three individually adjustable legs, is lightweight and easy to store, making it the ideal partner for maintaining your hanging basket. A built-in 18 cm wide platform rung allows for more comfortable and safer work. The tripod is available in four sizes from 1.8 m to 4.8 m.