Kris Collins, demonstrates how to refresh a tired summer hanging basket with new plants for an autumn display.
Kris starts by removing a sweet pea hanging basket that is past its prime, with lots of seed pods and very few flowers. Instead of replacing it with spring and winter bedding like pansies and primroses, he decides to give it an autumn makeover using chrysanthemums and sweet williams.
He explains the process step by step:
- He removes the old plants and soil from the basket, keeping the basket’s shape intact.
- He introduces the plants he will be using: Sweet Williams (Dianthus Pavlova Mix) and a Chrysanthemum (Bran Royal).
- Kris uses a specific basket and container compost with added moisture lock-in technology to reduce the watering needs of the plants.
- He plants the Sweet Williams around the sides of the basket and the Chrysanthemum in the center.
- He also adds more Sweet Williams around the Chrysanthemum to pack as much color as possible.
Kris advises watering the plants well beforehand to make them easier to remove from their containers and plant. He also suggests deadheading the plants regularly, keeping them well-watered, and giving them a weekly liquid feed for the best results. The refreshed hanging basket should provide a couple of months of color before it’s time to add winter and spring bedding.
