Trailing Plants bring a new dimension to your window boxes, hanging baskets and containers. Choosing which trailing plants to grow doesn’t have to be a tricky task, there are plenty of traditional and modern varieties to give you a display to be proud of. Learn how to plant trailing plants in our gardening guide.
What are trailing plants?
Trailing plants are plants that cascade along the ground or out of pots but do not root at nodes along the stem. There are many choices of trailing plants to choose from, both as annuals and perennials.
Trailing plants are an excellent choice if you wish to cover up bare patches in your flower beds or to brighten up a dull wall or fence.
How and where to plant trailing plants
When planting your trailing plants, try and choose areas where they will have enough room to grow and are not in direct competition with other plants.
Trailing plants look great covering soil, tumbling down rocks, fill in all types of cracks or flowing over the edges of any container. You can hang them beside your front door to welcome guests or brighten up a dull wall in your garden.
How to make a trailing hanging basket
Hanging baskets are very quick to plant so are perfect if you are a busy gardener! Let us help you create stunning hanging baskets that will sparkle with colour all summer long – just follow our step by step guide below.
- Line your basket with moss or a plastic liner, covering all of the wireframes.
- Start adding your compost, as you add, keep pushing it down and to the sides – this will make more room. Continue until you have reached the rim of the basket.
- Select your plants (about 4 or 5). We recommend using Fuchsia, Geraniums, Petunias, Begonias and Lobelias.
- Place a plant in the centre of your basket, to begin with, preferably one with a bit more height e.g. Geraniums or Begonias. Around the rim, choose plants that are going to hang over the edge e.g. Fuchsia.
- When you’ve finished placing your plants in the basket, top up with compost and leave in a warm, light place to settle and grow for a few days before hanging outside.
- Once hanging outside, remember to water daily.
Don’t worry if you feel your hanging basket is looking bare, to begin with. As the plants grow the gaps will soon fill and look magnificent.
How to care for trailing plants
Trailing plants are generally very easy to look after and require very little maintenance. Remember to water daily if you have planted them in a container or hanging basket.
Should any aphids appear to wash off with a carefully aimed jet of water? If an infestation of aphids does occur, use insecticidal soap to treat the problem.
Now that you know how to plant trailing plants and make your own trailing plant hanging basket take a look at our range of bedding plants for hanging baskets to get you started.