Foliage-filled hanging baskets

Heuchera in a hanging basket brings warm colourful foliage to be enjoyed long after summer flowers bid their farewell

materials

Hanging basket Plastic bag liner or moss Trowel General purpose compost Upright heuchera plants such as ‘Shanghai’ Trailing heucherella plants such as ‘Redstone Falls’, ‘Glacier Falls’ and ‘Yellowstone Falls’.

Foliage Hanging BaSKeTS provide an attractive way of extending colour beyond the warmer months, after flowers begin to fade. Hardy plants require little maintenance, and using Heuchera ‘Shanghai’ as a starting point makes for an eye-catching outdoor arrangement. As well as an abundance of dramatic silver-purple leaves, it also produces charming, tiny creamy-white flowers in summer and is especially suited to growing in containers, preferably in partial shade.

Planting the hanging basket

Firstly, a basket is chosen which is big enough to hold several plants. It should be lined using an old fertiliser bag which has a few holes cut into it to allow for drainage, or better still, a layer of moss. A saucer can be placed at the bottom to conserve more water if desired before the basket is filled halfway up with compost. The upright heuchera can then be carefully planted in the centre and trailing heucherellas, such as ‘Redstone Falls’ and ‘Glacier Falls’ added to cascade over the sides. The basket should be watered on warm, dry days and not allowed to dry out.

Trailing heucherella varieties, such as this ‘Glacier Falls’, are planted around the sides of the basket.

Heuchera ‘Shanghai’ is an upright variety with creamy flowers. This is planted in the centre of the basket.