10 Ideas For Container Gardening And Hanging Baskets

Planting flowers, fruit or herbs in containers and hanging basket is a great way for gardeners to create displays and display plants without the need for them to be physically planted in the ground.

This means there is scope for enormous flexibility both in the vast number of plants that can grow successfully both in winter and summer is vast as well as in the container itself.

This guide looks at 10 ideas for choosing containers and hanging basket frames.

(1) Circular wire hanging basket - this is a very common, low cost option based on a plastic covered shaped wire frame. However, despite the simple materials this type of frame ideal for side planting and for long trailing plants.

(2) Hay rack - a large wall basket frame which can hold a lot of compost and therefore support a large number of flowers.

(3) Flower fountain - 2 and 3 tier flower fountains are freestanding frames and make an impressive centrepiece in a courtyard or garden patio.

(4) Trough - a trough or planter is a freestanding low level frame which can support a lot of plants and is best placed along walls, borders or in the corners of patios.

(5) Watering can or bucket - the traditional style metal watering cans and buckets make an ideal and novel container for flowers and plants. Ensure the opening is wide enough to accommodate the plants and that there are drainage holes made in the bottom to allow water to flow through after watering.

(6) Garden trug - an old wooden or painted trug creates a very nice rustic effect when filled with flowering plants. You will need to ensure there are drainage holes however.

(7) Half whiskey barrel - these can be bought from many garden centres as specially made for growing plants or perhaps as part of an original barrel. The size can be limiting for many gardens but these are a popular choice for displaying flowers outside country hotels and pubs.

(8) Wicker basket - these come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes in any case and have a natural appearance. Due to the gaps in the material they will need to be lined to hold the compost and retain some water.

(9) Terracotta pots and planters - garden centres have literally hundreds of these on offer and they have a very rustic appearance. You need to ensure drainage is good for pots and you may need to raise them above ground level - using pot feet or similar - to avoid water collecting and freezing at the bottom of them.

(10) An old boot - a more novel approach but certainly something to create a bit of difference in the garden. Any shoe can be used but will only be able to support a small number of flowers or plants.

These are 10 ideas you can use but there are many others....

Just follow the same approach as you would to plant any hanging basket or container - using good compost, slow release fertiliser and a liner as required - and see how creative you can be!