Winter Bedding has Arrived!

The green house is absolutely heaving with colour now that our Autumn/Winter bedding plants have arrived. As Autumn approaches, it’s time to turn our attention to the likes of cyclamen, pansies, violas, and chrysanthemums to brighten up borders, containers and hanging baskets. We also have some very lovely ready-made containers and hanging baskets that have been arranged ever so beautifully by own plant team.

How to Make your Own Winter Hanging Baskets

Planting your own hanging baskets is an easy and manageable way to showcase beautiful and hardy, winter bedding plants in the garden during the winter months. The possibilities for creating winter hanging baskets are limitless, and we have a vast selection of robust plants that are perfect for this. (Scroll down this post for more information about popular bedding plants).

Choosing a colour scheme for your hanging basket is a great way to get started, many ready-made hanging baskets also feature a centrally placed plant such as a conifer or an ornamental cabbage. The advantage of creating your own winter hanging basket is that you can arrange it however you please, but traditionally a hanging basket would include a combination of taller plants, trailing plants and several filler options, all brought together by a captivating centre piece.

This step-by-step guide will assist you in crafting your own winter hanging baskets, which can add a warm and inviting feel to your garden, porch, or balcony, even during gloomy weather.

You Will Need:

• Sturdy, frost-resistant hanging basket with drainage holes.
• A good quality multipurpose compost.
• A variety of winter-hardy plants, such as violas, calocephalus, gaultheria and evergreen foliage like ivy or conifer.
• A slow-release fertilizer such as Miracle-Gro All Purpose Plant Food.

Prepare the Basket:

• Line the basket with a layer of plastic and pierce a few small holes for drainage.
• Fill the basket with quality compost, leaving a few inches of space at the top and sprinkle Miracle-Gro All Purpose Plant Food evenly over the soil surface.

Plant the Centrepiece:

• Begin by planting your chosen centre piece plant in the middle of the basket and firmly press it into the compost, ensuring it stands up right. Possible plants to choose for your centrepiece could be skimmia, tall grasses, or leucothoe.

Add Surrounding Plants:

• Surround your centrepiece by planting your smaller winter blooms, pansies, violas, cyclamen and chrysanthemums make great options this time of year.
• If you’re including trailing plants such as ivy be sure to plant with the foliage hanging on the outside of the basket so that they can continue to grow downward unobstructed.

Water:

• Once you are happy with your arrangement, water thoroughly, ensuring that the soil is evenly moist. With the cooler temperatures of winter and the rainfall it brings, watering your hanging basket at least once a week if the soil is dry will be sufficient.

Choose a Place to Hang the Basket:

• Lastly, choose the perfect location from which to hang your basket, preferably somewhere with ample sunlight that offers some protection from harsh winter winds.

Your hanging baskets will fill out and provide a vibrant display, bringing a cheerful atmosphere to your outdoor space all winter long, providing that you water regularly and remove spent flowers and dead foliage to encourage continuous blooming. Depending on the plants you have chosen you may also want to think about protecting your baskets from frost by covering them with fleece or temporarily bringing them inside or in the greenhouse until the cold snap has passed.

Plants for winter baskets:

Chase away the Winter blues with bedding blooms like violas, cyclamen, pansies, and chrysanthemums, they are beautiful, reliable, and are perfectly suited to feature in your winter hanging basket.

Violas

Violas are amongst the most beloved winter bedding plants, known for their dainty, cheerful blooms that come in a wide array of colours. They are pretty hardy and tough enough to withstand frosty temperatures, making them an excellent choice for the gardens this time of year. Violas thrive in well-drained soil and should be planted in a sunny to partially shaded location. Regular deadheading will encourage continuous flowering throughout the winter months. Violas will also attract beneficial pollinators even in the colder season.

Cyclamen

Cyclamen is another winter favourite, with its captivating, butterfly-like flowers that seem to float above its heart-shaped leaves. These plants are well-suited for both garden beds and containers. They are very happy in cool temperatures and well-drained soil, making them perfect for winter. They are available in various shades of pink, red, and white, adding a touch of elegance and charm to your winter garden.

Pansies

Pansies are perhaps the most iconic winter bedding plants, known for their vibrant colours. These hardy annuals cope well in colder temperatures. Pansies come in a wide range of colours, including purples, yellows, and oranges. Again, plant them in well-drained soil and deadhead regularly to promote continuous flowering. Pansies are not only ideal for garden beds but also for edging and container gardening.

Chrysanthemums

Chrysanthemums, often referred to as “mums,” are synonymous with fall and winter gardening. Offering a burst of colour in late fall and early winter when many other plants are fading. We have a range of colours and shapes available, including bold yellows, whites, and pinks. These flowers are perfect for growing in garden beds or containers, adding warmth and vibrancy to your winter landscape.

We’re Here to Help

If you’re looking for advice on something we’ve not mentioned above, our friendly staff are always on hand to help.