Hanging Baskets

Put a hanging basket bursting with flowers by the door and the whole area brightens up.

Baskets are available in a range of shapes an sizes but the round wire basket is still the traditional favorite. These can be planted at the sides as well as the top.

Baskets do need to be lines to keep the compost in. The compost also needs to be able to breath and water needs to be able to soak through the lining.

Plastic baskets don't need lining. They are easier to care for too as they don't dry out as quickly but they never look quite as natural as wire baskets.

Planting

When planting up a wire basket the layered planting method produces the best results.

Line the bottom with a 1 inch layer of moss and place a saucer on top to act as a reservoir when watering.

Arrange a drooping style plant in a circle around the edge of the basket sticking through the wire mesh.

Cover this with a layer of moss.

Next plant the top of the basket placing the tallest upright plant in the centre and the smallest plants at the edges.