Geranium, nemesia and petunia hanging basket

This pretty hanging basket combination has a lovely cottage garden feel, and is ideal for sunny or partially shaded spots. Water generously – twice a day if it's really hot – and feed regularly with a high potash fertiliser to promote new flower growth.

You Will Need

• Pink geranium plants, e.g. Pelargonium 'Oldbury Duet' (5)
• Purple petunia, e.g. Petunia 'Purple Velvet' (3)
• Purple nemesia, e.g. Nemesia 'Nesia Purple' (5)
• Hanging basket and liner
• Multi-purpose, peat-free compost
• Slow-release fertiliser
• Water-retaining granules

Step 1

Suspend the basket in a plant pot, to make planting up the sides easier, and add a coir liner, preferably one with holes in the sides. Fill the basket two-thirds with compost, mixed with a couple of handfuls of water-retaining gel and slow-release fertiliser.

Step 2

Plant up the sides with two each of the geraniums and petunia, gently pushing the rootballs through the holes from the outside to avoid damaging the leaves.

Step 3

In the centre of the basket, plant the nemesias, and alternate the rest of the geraniums and petunias around the edges. Trim away excess coir lining, to tidy the display.

Step 4

Water the plants thoroughly, allowing the basket to drain fully before transferring it to its bracket.

Kevin Smith says...

Use a liner that’s bigger than the basket you’re planting – this will prevent water spilling over the sides and the compost drying out too quickly. Use plastic from an old compost bag to create a secondary, water-retaining liner.