How to plant up a Summer Hanging Basket
A well-planted summer hanging basket brings colour and fragrance to patios, porches, and garden walls. With the right plants, compost, and technique, you can create a stunning display that thrives throughout the season.
What You'll Need
Start by gathering your materials. You'll need a moss or wicker hanging basket (12 to 14 inches is ideal for most spaces), quality multipurpose compost or hanging basket compost, a selection of trailing and upright plants, and a basket liner if your basket doesn't have one built in. Moss liners are traditional and allow excellent drainage, while coir alternatives work just as well. Have a watering can and some plant food on hand too.
Choosing Your Plants
The key to a balanced basket is mixing plant types. Choose one or two upright plants for height and structure—petunias, fuchsias, or busy lizzies work beautifully. Add trailing varieties around the edges to soften the sides and create that full, cascading effect. Ivy-leaf geraniums, trailing lobelia, and sweet potato vine are reliable choices. Finally, include some bushy fillers like bacopa or diascia to bulk out the display. Select plants that enjoy similar light conditions—full sun baskets need sun-lovers, while shaded spots suit begonias and impatiens.
Preparing Your Basket
If using a moss basket, line it with moss, pressing it firmly against the sides to create a 2-3cm layer. This helps retain moisture while allowing drainage. Alternatively, use a coir liner or even recycled plastic sheeting with drainage holes punched in. Add a layer of compost about 5cm deep, then water it lightly to settle it in place.
Planting Your Basket
Start by positioning your upright plants in the centre, spacing them evenly. Remove each plant from its pot and gently loosen the roots before planting. Surround them with bushy fillers, then position trailing plants around the outer edge, angling them slightly outward so they'll cascade naturally. Fill gaps with more compost, firming gently as you go. The compost should come to just below the rim of the basket, leaving space for watering.
Aftercare and Feeding
Water your basket thoroughly after planting and check it daily during warm weather—hanging baskets dry out quickly in summer sun. Water when the top of the compost feels dry to the touch. Feed every two weeks with a balanced liquid fertiliser or a tomato feed to encourage flowering. Deadhead spent blooms regularly to keep plants flowering longer, and pinch out leggy growth to maintain a neat shape.
With regular watering and feeding, your summer hanging basket will provide weeks of colour and interest, transforming your outdoor space into a vibrant garden display.