Using hanging baskets to create the ultimate cottage garden
Picture postcard illustrations depicting cottage gardens are always popular. The reality of maintaining a cottage garden is less idyllic, however. Many people don’t have the time to garden, or their outside space is too small. One way around this problem is to create a cottage garden in a hanging basket.
Hanging baskets are perfect for city dwellers
Even if you live in a high-rise block of flats in an urban environment you can still find the space for a hanging basket. It’s not just flowers that can be planted in these receptacles. If you have a look here, you’ll see how many gardeners use their baskets for vegetable and fruit growing as well as popular blooms. Imagine the joy of eating a fresh strawberry that you have grown yourself.
Cottage gardens are diverse
The traditional cottage garden had a range of plants and vegetables. The original inhabitants of these homes worked very hard and didn’t have much money, so their gardens often had to feed the family as well as provided pleasure from their beauty. Most of these houses also boasted a pig, a far cry from the gentrified cottages of the 21st century. Herbs look great in hanging baskets, they add flavour to meals, and when they come into bloom they can also look very pretty. Try thyme, and oregano, both of which are easy to grow and will complement most meals.
Look for miniature vegetables for your basket
You can also grow peppers and tomatoes in your basket as well as the dwarf Asian aubergine. The Daily Mail suggests that you can use these containers for numerous salad leaves as well as other crops. Just remember to ensure that all hanging baskets and container pots need to have adequate drainage, so you should always inspect your containers before planting. For further advice on how to start off a hanging basket, tips from Monty Don are always invaluable; he advocates the use of sphagnum moss and compost as a bed for your plants.
The crowning glory
Flowers can always bring a smile to the face on the dullest of days. If you’re trying to replicate a cottage garden in your hanging basket, there are certain flowers that are vital for your miniature paradise. Every cottage garden will have had some sweet peas and pansies, and these are easy to grow in any sort of container.
You’ll have to forget about delphiniums, as these plants are too tall for a basket, but according to the Royal Horticultural Society, Nicotiana, another mainstay of the rural garden, does very well in hanging baskets. Ornamental daisies also look good.
Lobelia and Busy Lizzies are colourful, but consider cornflowers for an authentic and timeless look. Verbena is another useful addition to any basket; you can also use this plant for making a relaxing tea. Once you’ve planted your basket you’ll have completed your very own rural idyll on your urban balcony, or outside your suburban home. Most importantly of all, you’ll have created a thing of beauty that should bring a smile to your face.
