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Discover the best plants to brighten up your hanging baskets this autumn
Hanging baskets aren't just for summer. From chrysanthemums to pretty pansies, filling your baskets with seasonal plants is a surefire way to keep the colour coming over autumn.
Select a sturdy basket with good drainage (autumn plants need well-aerated soil to thrive, due to the UK's wet weather), then choose your favourite hardy plants to keep baskets full of life.
'When it comes to autumn hanging baskets, your garden centre will be full of plants that capture the warm, rich tones of the season while also being hardy enough to withstand cooler days and crisp nights that the UK experiences,' Julian Palphramand, head of plants at British Garden Centres, tells House Beautiful.
'To create a stunning autumn hanging basket display, choose plants that provide height and structure. Incorporating foliage plants adds a seasonal but colourful touch with its leaves ranging from deep burgundy to amber, providing visual interest throughout the season and into winter.'
Take a look at the best expert-recommended autumn hanging basket plants...
Pansies and violas bring a welcome splash of colour to the garden just as other plants begin to fade. Though closely related, pansies have larger, bolder flowers while violas are daintier and often bloom more profusely. Plant them both in early September so their roots have time to establish before winter.
'Flowering plants such as pansies and violas stand out as classic choices, valued for their bright colours and ability to bloom well into the colder months,' explains Julian.
Chrysanthemums are perfect for extending garden interest in the autumn. Use them to replace summer baskets that have died back, keeping an eye open for trailing varieties such as 'cascade' and 'groundcover'.
'Chrysanthemums provide rich, warm tones and beautiful blooms well into late autumn and early winter, offering continuity of colour when many other plants begin to fade,' says Julian.
'Trailing plants, including English ivy, are a firm autumn favourite for their cascading effect, which enhances the overall fullness of any hanging basket,' explains Julian. 'These trailing varieties also ensure that the basket maintains its lush appearance as the days grow shorter.'
With its red berries and glossy green leaves, gaultheria is the perfect low-maintenance plant, producing bright berries and adding seasonal interest to an autumn basket. It's also a popular choice for festive displays.
Heuchera, also known as coral bells, is a star autumn plant. Perfect for trailing in hanging baskets, it provides vibrant texture and a beautiful reddish hue.
'Incorporating foliage plants like heuchera adds a seasonal but colourful touch with its leaves ranging from deep burgundy to amber, providing visual interest throughout the season and into winter,' says Julian.
And finally, pretty pink cyclamen will brighten any hanging basket in autumn. 'Cyclamen is another excellent option for hanging baskets, offering hardy flowers that add colour throughout autumn and winter,' notes Julian.
Plant yours in well-drained compost, and combine with foliage or ivy for contrast and structure.
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