There’s nothing better than a hanging basket in full bloom on a summer’s day. Whether it’s brightening up a front door, patio or garden wall, a well-looked-after basket can flower for months. So, here’s how to keep yours blooming all summer.
Let’s start with the biggest reason hanging baskets fail in summer – drying out. Because they’re exposed to sun and wind from all sides, baskets dry much faster than pots and borders. So, during hot spells, you’ll usually need to water once a day – sometimes twice if temperatures get really high.
A good tip from the Hildreth’s team is to water in the early morning or later in the evening when the sun is lower. If water runs straight through the basket, it’s probably become too dry, so give it a proper soak.
Feed little and often
All those gorgeous flowers use a lot of energy! So baskets need feeding regularly to keep producing blooms. A liquid feed every week or so can make a huge difference in helping to keep plants healthy, colourful and full rather than becoming tired halfway through the summer months. You’ll find a selection of feeds at the back of the garden centre.
If your basket suddenly stops flowering, feeding is often the answer.
Don’t forget to deadhead!
It’s a small job but it really works. Removing old flowers encourages the plant to keep producing new ones instead of going to seed. Petunias, geraniums and fuchsias especially benefit from regular deadheading.
Just a few minutes every couple of days keeps baskets looking fresh.
Pick the right plants
Some plants naturally just cope better in hanging baskets than others. For sunny spots, varieties like petunias, calibrachoa and verbena are brilliant performers. For shadier areas, fuchsias and begonias tend to last much longer.
If you’re not sure what works best where, our team is always happy to help you choose – and don;t forget that we now have a helpful Plant Finder – click on it to check it out!
Give tired baskets a mid-summer trim
By late summer, baskets can start looking a little straggly. Don’t be afraid to cut plants back slightly – it often encourages a fresh flush of growth and flowers within a couple of weeks.
A trim, feed and good watering can completely revive a basket that’s starting to fade.
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