Now that the frost appears to have gone, people have been turning to their hanging baskets and what a huge range there are nowadays to choose from!
On visiting friends this week, they were “conveniently” about to start putting together their hanging baskets when I arrived – and needless to say, I ended up doing all the work - I am sure there was a secret plan hatched somewhere!
So, to help any more friends who may be needing some guidance with hanging baskets, I thought I would tell you what I think:
• First thing to do is to choose a decent compost, use one with a 6-month feed and that should keep your plants performing all summer.
• If you are guilty of forgetting to water your baskets, use a tub and basket compost as this has added water gel - or you could just add water gel to your original compost if you like.
• The biggest mistake people make when putting together their basket is to cram too many plants in; 6 plants are perfect for a 12-14-inch basket. I still love all the traditional basket plants best, ones like petunia surfinia, or million bells – now called calibrachoa and my favourite the amazing bacopa snowflake.
• It is always a good idea to put a centre plant in to your basket and work round it, I would choose a double begonia or a geranium.
Anyone can put together a beautiful planted basket – and that includes any more of my friends who may have secret plans for me! Happy gardening!
PLANT OF THE WEEK: CENTAUREA ‘AMETHYST IN SNOW’
Also known as ‘perennial cornflower’ this wonderful plant has the most beautiful thistle like flower heads – white with a stunning purple centre.
It is a spreading, herbaceous perennial with fabulous greyish green foliage which is covered in silvery hairs and is in bloom from late spring through early summer. It is a mat forming plant reaching a height of about half a metre and a spread of about a metre. It does really well in borders and beds and also can be used in patio containers
Why are you making commenting on The Herald only available to subscribers?
It should have been a safe space for informed debate, somewhere for readers to discuss issues around the biggest stories of the day, but all too often the below the line comments on most websites have become bogged down by off-topic discussions and abuse.
heraldscotland.com is tackling this problem by allowing only subscribers to comment.
We are doing this to improve the experience for our loyal readers and we believe it will reduce the ability of trolls and troublemakers, who occasionally find their way onto our site, to abuse our journalists and readers. We also hope it will help the comments section fulfil its promise as a part of Scotland's conversation with itself.
We are lucky at The Herald. We are read by an informed, educated readership who can add their knowledge and insights to our stories.
That is invaluable.
We are making the subscriber-only change to support our valued readers, who tell us they don't want the site cluttered up with irrelevant comments, untruths and abuse.
In the past, the journalist’s job was to collect and distribute information to the audience. Technology means that readers can shape a discussion. We look forward to hearing from you on heraldscotland.com
Comments & Moderation
Readers’ comments: You are personally liable for the content of any comments you upload to this website, so please act responsibly. We do not pre-moderate or monitor readers’ comments appearing on our websites, but we do post-moderate in response to complaints we receive or otherwise when a potential problem comes to our attention. You can make a complaint by using the ‘report this post’ link . We may then apply our discretion under the user terms to amend or delete comments.
Post moderation is undertaken full-time 9am-6pm on weekdays, and on a part-time basis outwith those hours.
Read the rules here