Last Updated on April 16, 2024 by Real Men Sow
Your summer bedding plants will start to change as the seasons change. This is when you begin your search for winter plants to fill your summer hanging baskets. You won’t find many plants that can survive winter.
There are fewer plants to plant in hanging baskets, however, you still have great options for winter basket plants. Winter pansies will continue to flower through spring, and you will also have some mini bulbs that will endure winter.
5 Winter Hanging Basket Plants & How To Grow Them
Hardy Cyclamen (cyclamen coum, hederifolium and purpurascens)
This perennial produces flowers in a variety of colors, including pink, red, or pink. They prefer shade, so they can be moved into your garden with your spring flowers. They can also be grown under hedges and trees so they don’t need to go to waste.
Cyclamen purpurascens, Cyclamen hederifolium, and Cyclamen coum are all hardy Cyclamen varieties. These plants are often smaller than the larger-flowered varieties and should not be mixed with other flowering types that won’t survive winter. They are commonly used as house plants.
Hedra helix – Trailing Ivy
Ivy can quickly grow in your garden and cause structural damage. It’s great for winter hanging baskets because this plant also thrives in winter. The bulky foliage will drop out of the hanging basket, allowing you to enjoy it.
The bright green will add a summery feel to an otherwise boring background. You can usually find ivy at most nurseries and garden centres later in the season, in small pots. The best thing about ivy is It can be cut into 2-3 pieces and then spread evenly around your basket’s edge. You can transfer it to your summer baskets, or you could even use it indoors.
Hardy Primroses
Primroses, also known as prims or primulas, can bring a little colour to your winter garden. They are not trailing flowers, so they won’t grow taller than they already are. However, they make for a beautiful display. To make them stand out, place the primroses on the sides of your basket.
Create a ball of colour by filling your entire basket with them. They will bloom in autumn and winter, but they are not as prolific as pansies. However, they will explode into colour in spring. They can be removed and replanted in spring.
Winter Hanging Basket Bulbs
You can plant bulbs such as snowdrops to get colour in the early part of the season. Mini daffodils, such as tete-a-tete or mini-tulips, can be used to bring out the colours you desire later in the season.
You can easily move your bulbs directly into your garden once your basket has been completed. Miniature daffodils are our favorite because they last longer than other bulbs like crocus. They are simply amazing.
Winter Pansies
Winter pansies won’t stop flowering, so you can deadhead them all winter. They look stunning and will continue to flower throughout the winter. If you notice any of their offshoots become straggly, or limp, you can cut them back.
You will need to pack them tightly together to ensure the best results. They won’t grow quickly in winter. These varieties flower from October through spring, so make sure to plant them in your winter hanging pots early. It is best to plant them a little earlier so that they have time to establish roots and grow before winter. This would be around September.
Prepare The Winter Hanging Baskets
Once you have chosen the flowers, it’s time to make the basket. To protect your winter plants’ roots and keep soil from getting washed away, line your baskets with a liner.
Good drainage is essential for any growing medium. Multi-purpose compost should be able to quickly absorb water and drain well. This will ensure that the flowers stay healthy without being drowned. When you make the basket, add some slow-release food.
Note: Do not feed your plants during winter but the slow-release food can be added at the beginning, but not later. The soil should be free of any clogs and drain well. Plant these plants closer than you would for a summer display to encourage vigorous growth. You can encourage plants to grow in winter by avoiding too many gaps.
