Seven tips to keep hanging baskets blooming all summer

With a little care and attention, it’s possible to keep your hanging baskets blooming all summer. Here are some top tips from our horticultural team to help you enjoy a fabulous, long-lasting display.

1. Check your hanging baskets every day and water if required. This is vital if you want big, healthy baskets filled with flowers.
2. Water early in the morning to help your plants cope with the stress of very hot days. In a heatwave, you may need to water again in the evening. Remember that wind can dry them out, as well as sun.
3. If the flowers in your baskets wilt, the roots will also shrivel making it harder for them to absorb water. Give your baskets a thorough soak but catch the run-off in a bucket and return it, along with the nutrients it contains, to the basket. Your plants need those nutrients to flower well. 
4. Summer bedding plants rely entirely on the soil in the basket for their nutrients so it’s important to feed every 10-14 days from April to September. A slow and steady supply of nutrients is the best method. 
5. Deadhead spent flowers regularly to keep your plants blooming. Do this as frequently as possible to keep your baskets looking their best.
6. Trim back leggy growth to encourage your plants to produce new, bushy growth from the base. 
7. Carefully remove any plants that aren’t thriving and replace them with new ones to plug any gaps. Browse our full range of hanging basket plants to find the perfect replacements.

What to do if your hanging basket fails

If you looked after your hanging basket as described and it still failed, it might be time to rethink your plant choice. Those that appreciate a little shade won’t thrive in full sun, while plants that need lots of warmth will dislike a cool or windy spot. 

If your hanging basket wilts and can’t be recovered, swap in a pre-planted hanging basket for a quick and easy replacement. Professionally curated by our head gardener – the colours, varieties and flowering times have been carefully planned to give you a show-stopping display. 

Hanging baskets provide instant kerb appeal for a front entrance or a welcome splash of colour for your back garden. Looking for new and interesting baskets to liven up your vertical displays? Here’s how to choose the best hanging basket including new and exciting hardware to try.

Lead image: Petunia Surfinia Pre-Planted Hanging Basket from Suttons