September and October are the great months to plant up some colourful winter hanging baskets. With the first real frosts of winter still three months away, and most of the UK not seeing an air frost until early January, your baskets should be long-lasting and uplifting.
Larger plants for the centre of your basket
Ideally, your hanging basket planting should start with a larger specimen in the centre to create shape and balance. Buxus is perfect for height and solidity, or try a taller variety of polyanthus, like Pacific Giant, for your central focus.
Smaller upright and spreading flowers
The next stage is to fill your basket with colour and density. Pansies, violas and cyclamen are all excellent, long-lasting winter flowers, and primroses and dwarf irises work well too. All these flowers come in a wide variety of colours, so it’s relatively easy to choose a colour palette you like. Purples, reds and pinks can look particularly striking against a winter backdrop.
Trailing plants for vertical shaping
The choice of hardy trailing plants is more limited, but Ivy Herera is always a good choice, as many varieties have beautifully variegated leaves for added interest. Ivies are quite slow growing, so opt for larger plants for a more immediate effect. An ornamental grass like Carex, whilst not technically a trailing plant, will still overspill to soften the edges of your basket, and it provides a nice textural contrast too.
Now that your rattan garden furniture is covered or stored away, it’s easy to think that your garden tasks for the year are over, but don’t forget that your winter baskets will need regular watering to stay looking their best.
