Baskets full of ideas

Hang bright containers to bring vertical colour, says Ruth

- Ruth Hayes

PLANTING up baskets, window boxes and containers is a surefire way of bringing bright, breezy, easy colour and interest to the garden.

As we move into the ‘new normal’, potting-up bedding plants for the summer ahead is a fantastic way of lifting the spirits and restoring a feeling of normality to the garden – even if we are doing so a little later than usual.

I am concentrating on hanging baskets this week because they are easy to put together and add another dimension to the garden, inviting you to look up instead of down or across. They are also perfect for smaller gardens where space is key.

There are so many varieties: wire frames that you pad out with a fibre​lining or moss collected from the lawn; wicker baskets; and weatherproof synthetic ones designed to look natural.

Some are planted at the top, others can have inserts cut into their sides to make space for attractive trailing plants.