There are some pointers to get you off to a good start while preparing your winter hanging baskets:
- The plants you choose to put in a hanging basket over the winter should be frost hardy if you want them to continue looking good.
- To guarantee that each plant has adequate access to water, nutrients, and air, we recommend using a wicker hanging basket that is 12 inches wide (30 centimeters)
- If you want your hanging baskets to thrive in winter, plant them in September or October.
- Remember to deadhead the flowers.
- Don’t overwater in the winter and keep proper drainage holes.
- There is no need to feed them; doing so will encourage new soft growth, which will not survive the frosts.
Now that you know the basics, you can dive into these brilliant winter hanging basket ideas to brighten up your garden during the blues of winter.
CONSIDER THRILLER, SPILLER & FILLER FOR BOUNTIFUL WINTER HANGING BASKETS
If you’re not sure where to begin when planting a hanging basket or container, try combining three different types of plants: a thriller plant (a spectacular focal point), a spiller plant (a trailing plant that adds structure and dimension), and a filler plant (one that fills in the spaces between the other two).
One or two tall plants, one or two spiller plants, and many filler possibilities, all anchored by a striking evergreen plant, are the secret to magnificent hanging baskets.
PICK COLOR FROM WINTER PANSIES AND VIOLAS
Hardy pansies and violas are a common choice for a winter hanging basket since their bright colors last through the cold months and into spring. They come in so many different colors that they are the perfect cure for drab winter days.
Winter violas come in a rainbow of colors, and they look lovely when paired with a pot of skimmia Kew White or Green and some trailing ivy.
If you’re looking for some warm, seasonal color, try growing Viola F1 ‘Rose Blotch’ above some Heuchera ‘Sugar Frosting.
INCORPORATE HARDY PRENNIALSWITH COLORFUL FOLIAGE
Evergreen perennials are an excellent replacement for annuals and biennials in hanging baskets and pots because they retain their foliage and color throughout the year.
Plants like Heuchera and Ajuga are low-growing evergreens known for their stunning leaves. Heucheras have leaves in a wide spectrum of colors, from green and silver to russet, red, and purple, while Ajuga has stunning purple and burgundy foliage.
SELECT TRAILING EVERGREENS
Hanging baskets in the winter require some thought given to their structure. Spilling plants, like ivy and vinca, add stunning structural interest when hung in a group.
Ivy is a traditional trailing evergreen with many different leaf forms and leaf hues, from the darkest green to attractive variegated varieties with light green and yellow.
USE CYCLAMEN TO ADD COLOR TO WINTER HANGING BASKETS
Cyclamen, which come in a variety of colors including white, pink, and red, are a delicate winter flowering plant that can withstand freezing conditions and thrive in hanging baskets during the colder months. Cyclamen hederifolium, often known as ivy-leaved cyclamen, is an excellent choice.
ADD HEIGHT AND PERPETUAL INTEREST WITH FERNS
Ferns, with their soaring fronds of lacy leaves, can make excellent thriller plants in winter hanging baskets, providing height and evergreen color across winter and serving as a good backdrop for vibrant blossoms.
CREATE A SCULPTURAL STATEMENT WITH FERNS
For a more modern and architecturally stunning look, use larger ferns in your winter hanging baskets. If you have any shady areas in your garden, ferns will flourish there even in the summer.
GO FOR HEATHERS THAT BLOOM IN THE WINTER
While heathers are commonly seen growing wild across moorland and are known to provide excellent ground cover, they are also compact plants that can be excellent for winter hanging baskets and containers.
Their nectar-filled blossoms come in a rainbow of colors from white to deep purple, making them ideal winter pollinators for bees.
MAKE A STRUCTURE OUT OF SEDGE AND ORNATE GRASSES
Grasses aren’t just for the lawn and borders; they also perform well in winter hanging baskets to add dimension and texture. To get a more natural appearance, use grasses that retain their shape even in the coldest months. These grasses come in a wide variety of hues and go well with just about every other element.
ADD SOME WINTER VEGGIES FOR EXTRA PIZZLE
If you’re looking for something a little bit different this winter, try using winter brassicas like kale and cabbages with frilly leaves ranging in color from deep green to purple.
BE CREATIVE WITH WINTER HANGING BASKETS
Make sure whatever container you pick has appropriate drainage holes. Baskets aren’t your only option for hanging planters; think outside the box and find intriguing objects you could repurpose or upcycle to create appealing hanging displays with character, such hanging wooden crates.