How to Plant Hanging Baskets

Your garden is what frames your home, so it’s no wonder you want it to look its best. And hanging baskets plants are a great way to enhance its aesthetic affordably and effortlessly. They’re a space-saving option too, making them ideal in smaller outdoor areas.

The question is, how do you plant them so they look the part? Hanging baskets sit at your eye-line, meaning they’re often the first thing people notice when they enter your garden. With that in mind, our experts are here to guide you through planting and arranging hanging baskets, giving your garden an easy but show-stopping uplift.

Useful links

Hanging baskets are a perfect way to display flowers when you have limited garden space or as a way of complementing your other arrangements.
You should cut holes in the side of your hanging basket at varying heights to make it easier for you to plant and to create a drainage system.
When planting in a hanging basket, you can add extra compost to cover up any exposed roots, and the compost level should be just below the rim of the basket.

Experimenting with basket shapes & materials

Not sure what basket to opt for? The first thing to consider is what shape will work best in your space. The most common shape of hanging basket is circular, but you may want to experiment with square or triangular baskets for a sleeker and contemporary look.

When it comes to the material, you have the choice of metals, plastics and woven baskets. By choosing woven with a metal frame as opposed to plastic, you’ll be creating a more natural aesthetic, but it may not last as long as a plastic option.

Consider your desired look

It’s now time to consider whether you’d like a fuller look with drooping flowers or a more structured arrangement with upright flowers. Both look aesthetically pleasing, so base your choice on the overall look of your garden. Examples of hanging flowers are fuchsias or begonias (down home), which both create interest in your space. On the other hand, upright plants like orchids or widow’s thrill bring a sense of elegance.

Hanging baskets in 3 steps

Now it’s time to start planting. At first glance, hanging baskets may appear complicated and as though they’ll require a lot of maintenance. But contrary to belief, they’re an easy way to bring that extra level of interest without dealing with a large flower bed.

Here’s a quick checklist of all the equipment you’ll need for successfully preparing your hanging basket and planting your flowers inside.

Gardening gloves
Hanging basket
Compost or potting soil (multi-purpose or moisture-retentive)
Slow-release fertiliser (for plant nutrition)
Plants of your choice
Watering can or hose with a fine spout
Wall bracket or hanging hook
Chain or hanging system (usually comes with the basket)
Mulch or decorative top layer (for retaining moisture and a neat finish)

Firstly, you’ll need to decide what type of plant(s) you want to include in your hanging basket. Think of colour palettes, the level of care they’ll need and what’ll complement your garden the most. Good options are begonias, fuchsias and petunias.

Next, you’ll need to prepare your hanging pot for planting seeds. To do this, using scissors or garden shears, cut holes in the sides of your basket at varying heights to make it easier for you to plant and to create a drainage system.

Lastly, fill your basket with compost and begin planting your chosen flowers. Don’t forget, you can add extra compost to cover up any exposed roots, but always make sure that the compost level is just below the rim of the basket.

FAQs

How many begonia tubes you plant will depend on the basket size, but generally, we recommend 3-4 tubes to make it look full.

The best time to plant your hanging basket flowers is late April to early May for Summer flowers, and September to October for Winter displays.

To make the display look full and lively, we’d recommend using one plant per inch of the basket diameter.

The best hanging basket plants include trailers like petunias, lobelia, fuschias, geraniums, bacopa and ivy, and fillers like calibrachoa, begonias, and verbena for a vibrant, cascading effect.

Hanging baskets are a perfect way to display flowers when you have limited garden space or as a way of complementing your other arrangements. They make for an affordable and effortless DIY task that anybody can have a go at too.