How to Make Winter Hanging Baskets and Containers
The colder months may be approaching, but that doesn’t mean we have to say goodbye to our beautiful garden displays! With a little creativity and the right plants, you can create vibrant seasonal interest that adds a splash of colour to your outdoor space – even during winter!
Our GREAT team has pulled together a handy how to guide to help you create a stunning winter container or hanging basket that will last through frosty weather and chilly temperatures.
Picking Your Plants
Winter containers thrive with hardy plants – and you’ll be surprised at how much colour can bloom even in the colder months. Choose a combination of evergreen foliage and winter flowering favourites to create different heights, colours and textures.
Heuchera
Known for its colourful, evergreen foliage, Heuchera is a perfect addition to winter containers or hanging baskets! Its leaves come in shades of purple and red and maintain their colour all season long.
Winter Pansies
Bright and cheerful, winter pansies are a popular choice for winter displays because of their resilience in frosty conditions! They come in a variety of vibrant colours and can bloom throughout winter with minimal care.
Ivy
A classic trailing plant, ivy adds texture and softens the edges of your basket or container. Adding year round interest, its hardy nature makes it ideal for colder temperatures, and its green leaves contrast with colourful flowering plants beautifully.
Cyclamen
These delicate flowers bloom in shades of pink, white and red! Cyclamen are known for their heart shaped leaves and their ability to tolerate cooler temperatures, making them a lovely winter flowering choice.
Planting and Arranging
Start by selecting a central feature plant, such as a compact evergreen shrub (like Skimmia) or a taller cyclamen. This adds height and serves as the focal point of the arrangement. Next, add your trailing plants, such as ivy or creeping thyme, around the edges to soften and drape.
For the rest of the container or basket, fill in any gaps with winter pansies, heuchera, or violas. Play around with the arrangement to create different layers and textures – taller plants in the middle, with smaller flowering plants and foliage cascading or filling the edges. Have some fun, there are no rules when it comes to gardening!
Watering and Maintenance
Even during winter, your container or hanging basket will need some care to stay looking its best.
While winter displays don’t need as much water as summer ones, it’s important to keep the soil from drying out completely. Don’t forget to remove any dead flowers or leaves regularly to keep the display tidy and encourage new blooms. Choose a sheltered spot for your container or hanging basket – south or west facing walls are ideal.
