Thinking ahead, hanging baskets

A very good evening to you all

I'm thinking ahead and planning the bits I want for the summer, and I'm now thinking of hanging baskets.

Normally, I use things like surfinias, ivy, etc in a single colour for a uniform look, but this time I want something different. I've looked at the thread on container gardening and the begonias look very nice Spruce, so something with colour like that would be great. I do like the crackling fire begonias too!

One thing is though, as we are near the sea, we do get wind, and when it gets up ( like tonight!!) it's very strong, so I'll need something that can stand that. Not had any baskets here at this house yet so not tried anything as yet.

They are going mainly in the front, so gets sun from sun up until around 2-3 pm. Also, if possible I'm looking for something that will fit in with my boos, phormiums, tree ferns and cordys, so big leaves or structural would be a major bonus (not essential, but would be nice!)

Any suggestions and/or advice gratefully received!

Al.

 

How about Calibrachoas? A miniature pentunia that provides winter interest to (in staying green), Perhaps something that cascades over.. a plant like Tradescantia maybe? or Columnea?

 

Hi Stephen, the columned looks nice, almost crocosmia looking. That's one to think about. The mini petunia is another in red.

 

Columnea is very tender though so you'd have to store it in a greenhouse over winter.. but it beats the old ivy and nepeta. In our part of the world Calbrachoas tend to be perennials rather than annuals, but it depends on the plant really.

 

Columnea does sound great, but I don't have a green house. I could buy as an annual as try are cheap enough.

 

ahh, I thought they would be expensive! I think the age old traditional layout for hanging baskets is a centre piece (Gernanium or Begonia), smaller surrouding plants (Impatiens, Pansies) and trailing plant (usually Ivy). Tradition is there to be broken of course.

 

THeese caught my eye this year http://www.thompson-morgan.com/medias/sys_tandm/8821277392926.jpg

 

Hi al

Thanks for that it is appreciated , I am doing begonias again this year for the front of the house , gets full sun from about 1.00pm till dusk and does get very windy but I attach a wire at the back of the basket to the hanging bracket to stop it twisting around and keeps the baskets more stable , I do like Surfina petunias , the fad colours and "novelty" petunias dont last as long as the original colours , but if you mix them in the other colours especially the dark purple and blue will take over when they quickly fade away , problem with big leaves they catch the wind.
I have said before on here its a bit of a competition where I live as we are fortunate that we can have them outside and up to no one has had they pinched, awful thing to say but other places I have lived the only safe plant in the front garden was two huge pampas grass , and the back garden patrolled by dogs !
I have tried on several occasions to grow a really good fuchsia basket but its still eluded's me !! I will try again this year I think getting the right variety is the key to success and pinching out, keep us all posted with what you choose, Harry on here baskets are a class act

Spruce

 

cheers so far guys, very much appreciated.

in the past, i've packed the baskets, a lovely show for months, and want to do the same but with different planting. the bigger the better too! i hope that the area we have moved to is theft free, it certainly has a good rep so i think and hope all will be good.

ive even thought leftfield with fatias, grasses and lillies in my baskets, but i think that will be too much, but they can be transferred into the garden afterwards.

 

http://davesgarden.com/guides/articles/view/531/#b
Baskey suggestions for a seasise location

 

fab!! thanks a bunch

 

i've been googling, and came across this


https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&r...2oGQCg&usg=AFQjCNEq63r0kjLx4is174jyGnP4lcTM4Q

 

and these

http://www.badgerridgefarm.ca/images/custom-designed-hanging-baskets_L.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2726/5802062818_39e794284e.jpg

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5X-XCpZ9k_A/S9W9tAJTAUI/AAAAAAAAABY/vNZUsfpZWeM/s1600/hanging+basket.jpg

 

They were selling Lotus berhelotii in Carr Farm Garden Centre a few year ago as plug plants.. they haven't sold them since, but in general Carr Farm is an excellent place for bedding plugs.

I like that succulent basket, that's quite interesting.

Have you thought of the potential for an evergreen (forever) type basket? Like Echeverias, some Sedum palmeri and some cascading Delosperma or something similar?