There are lots of plants that can be grown in baskets, including cheerful annuals, and some evergreens that will provide structure and all-year-round interest. Rather than planting randomly, choose a colour scheme such as pink or white flowers, or use hot reds and yellows.
Although most baskets are planted in early spring and put outdoors after the risk of frost has passed, they can also be filled with frost hardy flowers and tough evergreens for colour over winter.
What to do
Prepare your compost by mixing a handful of controlled-release fertiliser granules and some water-retaining gel into growise multi-purpose compost.
Cover the inside of the basket with a coconut fibre liner. Our Garden centre stocks a variety of liner materials.
To prevent too much water from escaping, lay a plastic bin liner on top of the fibre and cut around the edges where it overlaps the basket, making sure none of the black plastic is visible.
Put a (1 inch approx.) layer of compost in the base of the basket.
Select plants for the sides of the basket and to prevent damage to roots and stems, individually wrap each in a tube of paper. From the inside of the basket, push the tube through one of the holes until the rootball is snug against the liner. Unwrap the paper and add the other plants. Firm soil around the rootballs.
Fill two thirds of the basket with soil and add another layer of plants. Continue to fill with compost, leave a 3cm (approx) gap between the top of the compost and the lip of the basket, and finish by planting the top. Water well.
Hang outside when all risk of frost has passed. Water daily, especially during warm weather.
Remove spent blooms from your plants two to three times a week to encourage plants to produce a succession of flowers.
Boost plants with a weekly liquid feed.
Aftercare
Hang outside when all risk of frost has passed. Water daily, especially during warm weather.
Remove spent blooms from your plants two to three times a week to encourage plants to produce a succession of flowers.
Boost plants with a weekly liquid feed.
Upcoming Events at Powerscourt Garden PavilionCONTAINER GARDENING MASTERCLASS
10th May, 11:00 am, Powerscourt Garden Pavilion. Complimentaryevent
Would you like colourful window boxes, eye-catching hanging baskets and fabulous pot planters this summer? Containers offer great versatility and are a fantastic way to experiment with planting and design. You don’t have to limit yourself to just using flowers. Shrubs will thrive in containers with little care and can be a great focal point in your garden. Join our horticulturalists for a free gardening talk and get some great ideas on planting for the summer season.PLANT UP SERVICE
12th to 16th May, 9:30 am - 5:30 pm. Cost: Complimentary
Summer is at last here and it’s time to add some colour back into our lives and create beautiful outdoor spaces we can enjoy all summer long! Powerscourt Garden Pavilion is delighted to offer you a free plant up service during the 12th to 16th May. Bring along your old pots, hanging baskets and window-boxes to the Pavilion and we will plant them up for you. The only cost to you will be the plants you use, the time and labour is on us! We are open 7 days a week Monday to Saturday (9.30am to 5.30pm) and Sunday (10.00am to 5.30pm). See you soon at Powerscourt Garden Pavilion.
See you soon at the Garden Pavilion!
Justin Smyth, Horticulturalist at Powerscourt Garden Pavilion
PLANT UP SERVICE
