Hanging baskets on a budget

whiterabbit_2

Hi everyone,

I'm trying my hand at gardening...again! Last year I grew my hanging baskets from seed which was a bit too time consuming and to be honest they were a little thin, so this year I've bought four of the 14" 'easy fill' baskets with the intention of buying plants to fill them.

The trouble is firstly, each basket takes 16 plants, secondly I need to find plants suitable for shaded areas for two of the four and thirdly I need to source them from somewhere that isn't going to break the bank.

I quite like the idea of trailing lobelia and ivy, but other than that I'm not quite sure what would look nice together. Do you think it's just a case of choosing nice colours from the 'baskets' section at the garden centre, or are there some plants that are sold specifically for baskets that may overcrowd others?

Sorry for all the of the questions, but I'd really appreciate any advice if you can help!

wallbash

The trouble is firstly, each basket takes 16 plants,

Nope. you have 16 easy access panels BUT you will only use less than half.
I like trailing begonias and find 6/7 plants is correct. And thats for a bigger basket.

Also I store over winter so its a one outlay cost.

whiterabbit_2

wallbash wrote: »

Nope. you have 16 easy access panels BUT you will only use less than half.
I like trailing begonias and find 6/7 plants is correct. And thats for a bigger basket.

Also I store over winter so its a one outlay cost.

That's really good to know, thanks! I thought it wouldn't fill out properly unless I filled it.

ERICS_MUM

Best thing is to feed them regularly, begonias would double in size within weeks. I use tomato or rose food from POUNDLAND or Home Bargains, no need to spend more than a couple of pounds on a bottle. You need rose or tomato food to produce flowers - ordinary plant food would give you too much leaf and fewer flowers.

The big begonias are my favourites, I put 3 per basket with 3 lobelia or other trailing plant in between. Begonias are ok in light shade and if some of your baskets would be in the sun you could change them round weekly so they all get some sun and some shade.

ilovemygarden

I've used the £3.99 pack of 6 trailing plants that Aldi bring out each year - had them about 3 years running and they've been very good.

Ivy is good in a hanging basket, especially if you plant it up for winter/spring as that can stay in there.

I have 2 hanging baskets that are quite protected & each one has a fucshia that comes back every year.

I don't like trailing lobelia as I don't think it lasts very long.

Thompson & Morgan have a free p+p day today.

As Eric's mum says, def feed well. And keep well watered.

lisa110rry

At my local Aldi they are selling four geraniums for £1.79, might have to go back for another pack!!!

peter_the_piper

ilovemygarden wrote: »

I don't like trailing lobelia as I don't think it lasts very long.

Lobelia is ok if you get the perennial one, grows stronger and stands stress much better. Most pack lobbie is seed raised.

whiterabbit_2

Thanks for the tips on Aldi and buying the correct lobelia, because I'd really like to include that. I think I'll try ivy this year too.

I never thought about trying Poundland for feed!...I'll go tomorrow and take a look.

I'll definitely try some big begonias for the front of the house - it really doesn't get any sun until early evening and not at all on one corner so the baskets there always look a little sad compared to the ones on the front.