Baskets and Wall Pots

Hanging baskets and wall-mounted pots provide you with more opportunities for creating colourful displays outdoors, on house walls and even on outbuildings such as the garage or shed. They are mainly for summer displays since plants, even if hardy, often do not survive winters in these containers, except in areas where winters are very mild. Hanging baskets or wall containers are relatively small, and the soil in them can quickly freeze solid. There is not much one can do to prevent this, except to hang baskets of plants in a cool but frost-free greenhouse during freezing weather.

Choosing and Using Hanging Baskets

Traditionally hanging baskets are made from a widely spaced mesh of strong galvanized wire and are bowl-shaped. They are generally supported with three chains. Plants can be planted right through the wires in the sides to create a ball of colour. Such wire baskets are inclined to dry out rapidly in warm weather, so frequent watering is a must — at least twice a day.

Modern hanging baskets are generally made from moulded plastic and are again bowl shaped and supported with chains. Some include a built-in drip tray and others have a water reservoir to cut down on the frequency of watering. Being non-porous they do not dry out as rapidly as wire baskets.

One of the drawbacks of moulded- plastic baskets is that you cannot insert plants in the sides. So unless you plant some very long trailing plants, quite a lot of the basket is visible. And the bottom of a plastic basket is not one of the most pleasing sights!

No matter what type of basket you choose, select larger rather than smaller ones, because the smaller they are, the quicker they dry out. Small baskets also very much restrict planting designs. The largest baskets are at least 30cm (12in) in diameter and have a depth of 15-20cm (6-8in).

There are numerous places to hang baskets. House walls are the most obvious places, but they can also be hung in porches and used to decorate garages and sheds. Do not set them too high, or you may have problems with watering. It is also important to avoid windy spots; strong winds can do a lot of damage to baskets and plants.

Choose metal brackets to support hanging baskets and make sure they are securely screwed to the wall or other support. Baskets are quite weighty, especially when they have just been watered.

These pots look like flower pots or other containers that have been cut in half so that they can be mounted flat against walls. They can be used like hanging baskets, and an advantage over hanging baskets is that they do not sway around in the wind, so they can be used in more exposed areas.

The majority of wall pots are made from terracotta. Being made of clay, they are inclined to dry out rapidly in warm weather. They come in various shapes and sizes and are comparatively inexpensive.

Rather more expensive are lead wall pots in traditional styles. These are very much ‘at home’ on the walls of period houses.

There are also metal half baskets for mounting flat against walls — reminiscent of hay baskets for horses. These can be lined with black plastic sheeting before being filled with soil. You can make slits in the plastic and plant through the sides.

Generally lightweight soils are best for baskets and wall pots, so all-peat potting soil is recommended.

 

Wire Baskets

When planting a wire basket first line the inside to hold in the soil. Traditionally wire baskets are lined with sphagnum moss, and aesthetically this is still the best. Alternatively you could use a synthetic medium for a liner; there are a number of different ones available. Use according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Black plastic sheeting can also be used; punch some holes in the bottom for drainage.

Once the basket is lined it can be planted. To make this job easier for you, steady the basket by standing it on top of a large flower pot.

The arrangement of plants, especially summer bedding plants, generally has trailing kinds planted in the sides and around the edge, and upright, bushy kinds in the centre. To accomplish this, first place a shallow layer of soil in the bottom of the basket, lightly firm it, and then insert some trailing plants through the wires so that their roots rest on the soil surface. If you are using plastic or some other synthetic liner you will have to make slits in it so that you can push the roots through. Sphagnum moss can simply be parted with the fingers to make room for roots. Then add more soil and lightly firm it. Insert some more trailers, then position the busy plants in the centre. Fill in with more soil and finally plant trailers around the edge. Make sure you leave a space of 2.5cm (lin) between the soil surface and the top of the basket so that there is room for watering.

Wall baskets are planted the same way.

MOULDED-PLASTIC BASKETS

With moulded-plastic baskets simply add soil to about half the depth, lightly firm it, then position some bushy plants in the centre, followed by trailers around the edge. Fill in with more soil and lightly firm it. Do the same for wall pots.

After planting, gently water the plants thoroughly to settle them in, using a watering can fitted with a sprinkler.

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