Yvonne Harbutt of Rougham Hall Nurseries gives the rundown of creating colourful hanging baskets and tubs for the summer
We have all been patiently waiting for the warmer weather to settle in so we can plant up tubs and hanging baskets, ready to brighten up our gardens over the coming months.
Now May has arrived, it should be safe to start planting colourful annuals and summer flowering plants. It is not unusual to have late frosts in May, so keep an eye on night temperatures and protect plants if necessary.
There are numerous varieties of basket plants and bedding to choose from, something for every situation.
Fuchsias are ideal for shady areas, they bring a bright display of cascading pink, purple and red pendant blooms which flower throughout the summer.
If you struggle to water regularly, you could choose geraniums – they thrive in drier conditions and are always a favourite with customers.
Other popular choices include a mixture of colourful million bells, verbena and lobelia, together with trailing foliage plants.
You may prefer a more co-ordinated colour mix, a bold monochrome group or single variety plants such as begonia or petunia. Be creative with a contrast of colours – black and orange work well or a patriotic red, white and blue combination.
When planting, choose a good quality peat-free multi compost. You can add moisture retentive granules – these will help to keep your compost hydrated and prevent your planters from drying out during hot summer days.
For best results and an abundance of flowers, it is essential to regularly feed, water and deadhead.
Ideally, choose the cool of the evening and find a few minutes to look them over, relax and enjoy the task at the end of a busy day. This should ensure your baskets, troughs and tubs will give you endless pleasure throughout the summer.
PLANT VARIETIES TO CONSIDER THIS YEAR
Pelargonium zonal Geranium: Clusters of vibrant brightly coloured blooms of pink, red, salmon and white on strong upright stems with attractive lobed leaves. Flowers throughout the summer. Team up with the ivy leaf trailing varieties. Will tolerate dry conditions, requires light watering.
Calibrachoa – Million Bells: Masses of mini petunia-type flowers. Compact trailing plants available in a full spectrum of colours. Continuous flowering throughout the season, requiring minimal deadheading. A popular choice to attract butterflies.
Fuchsia: Trailing varieties are a good choice for a shady position but also enjoy a sunny spot. With an abundance of cascading, bright blooms, stunning when planted solo in baskets. Choose uprights for tubs and planters. Some hardy varieties available. Long flowering period.
Begonia illumination: Large, semi-double blooms hang from thick tuberous stems. Flowering through to the autumn they will thrive in both sun or shade. One of the most popular choices. An array of colours from yellow through apricot shades to bright red create a showy display. Also consider the upright ‘non-stop’ for a centrepiece or tubs and planters.
Verbena: Easy to grow and low maintenance. A compact plant with showy clusters of tiny star-shaped flowers on strong branching stems. Colours range from soft pastel shades through to bright colours, deep tones and white.
Lysimachia nummularia gold – Creeping Jenny: Trailing foliage plant which sets off other colourful flowering plants. The cascading branches of rounded leaves fall low, creating a distinctive structure. Golden cup-shaped flowers form on the lime green stems. Can be over wintered with protection.
ALTERNATIVE PLANTS FOR HANGING BASKETS
Edible plants are becoming a popular choice. If you like growing your own and lack of space is an issue, use hanging baskets and planters.
Trailing or bush tomato varieties are an ideal choice. They produce flowers followed by a tasty crop of small attractive fruits. Select a sunny spot and for best results, feed and water regularly.
Strawberry plants are a great choice, too. If you enjoy using herbs, a basket hanging close to the back door will provide easy access and a pleasant aroma of fresh herbs. Choose chives, rosemary, thyme and parsley. All of these can be transferred to the garden when they have outgrown the baskets, where they can continue their growing.
Whatever you choose this season, hanging baskets, tubs and planters offer an ideal way of adding extra colourful displays to your garden.
Plant of the month – FERNS
Beautiful, exotic foliage plants which deserve a spot in the garden. Best in shade or a woodland areas where their architectural structure will provide impressive displays of lush leafy foliage. Alternatively, they will grow well under trees or in containers.
Some varieties tolerate a sunny/partial site– they prefer damp, well-drained soil which is rich in nutrients. Easy to grow and low maintenance, their heights range from – compact varieties around 30cm to mid-range at 100cm – up to larger spreading specimens which can grow to 1.5 metres.
Some are evergreen, others are deciduous and will die back during the winter months. Fronds emerge in spring, unfurling gracefully for the coming season.
These ornamental plants offer layers of natural texture and provide an ideal backdrop or ground cover in the borders. As well as the popular range of green shades, there are also others which add interest with their silvery tones, burgundy hues and coppery tipped leaves.
Foliage plants can often be understated in the garden, this cannot be said of ferns – find them a space if you have the room. Some popular choices include Polystrichum, Athyrium, Adiantum and Matteuccia.
NURSERY NEWS
Due to refurbishment, we have now temporarily relocated our Rougham plant sales and farm shop to our plant centre in Barrow. Visit us at RHN Plant Centre, Colethorpe Lane, Barrow IP29 5BE. We look forward to seeing you.
• We still have a few spaces available on our HANGING BASKET WORKSHOP on May 6, 12.30pm. For booking details visit rhn.me.uk
Gardening questions?
Email us on rhnsales@outlook.com
