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Outdoor winter hanging plants


13 Plants For Winter Hanging Baskets

Despite winter being a favorite time of year for many, the doom and gloom of it all can be quite depressing. Many plants struggle to do well or simply just die back, leaving us with colorless gardens. 

But there is one sure-fire way to add a splash of color and uniqueness to your space – hanging baskets filled with winter plants.

Hanging baskets are great ways to grow plants in small spaces, indoors or on patios and balconies. 

There are several winter plants out there that spread touches of summer during colder months. Many can survive the harshness of winter and some even have winter-busting superpowers. 

This list is filled with plants that not only look great in hanging baskets but can break through the winter gloom with their colored foliage or brilliant flowers.

1. Pansies/Violas

The perfect plants for colorful hanging plants are pansies and violas. Both these plants are amongst the easiest plants to grow and are often planted as filler plants in beds or containers. But their brightly colored flowers can stand out on their own, making them wonderful basket plants. 

Pansies and violas are very similar, both thriving in full sun, and barely tolerating the shade. The main difference has got to do with their flowers. Violas have smaller flowers than pansies, but a lot more of them. Their colors are very similar too, ranging from blues to purples and even whites and creams. 

To get the most out of these annuals (or short-lived perennials) plant them in compost-enriched potting soil and water frequently. They’re hungry plants, needing fertilizer at least once every four weeks. A balanced fertilizer ensures the most blooms, and if you want even more splashes of colorful flowers, opt for a low nitrogen mix. 

Pansies and violas are also edible. Not only will you be adding warm summer colors to your hanging baskets, but also to delicious winter dishes.

Approximate size: 4 – 8 inches 

USDA hardiness zone: 7 – 11

2. Cyclamens

These little tuberous perennials are a go-to for small containers and shadier spots under trees because they add splashes of summer in even the dullest winters. 

Cyclamens’ sweet flowers come in an array of colors, including red, white, pink, and even salmon. Newer varieties come in even more colors like purple and yellow-green and are showcased as ruffled double flowers. The flowers are perched on stalks that grow to about 12-16 inches tall which are surrounded by deep green, heart-shaped leaves.

Cyclamens are popular small houseplants, namely because they’re not fans of the heat and much prefer the shade. Their unusual trait of blooming during winter makes them a wonderful choice to warm up your indoor space or shaded balcony during the gloomiest of winter days. 

With this cool characteristic though, they do unfortunately die back during summer. But you can simply cut away all the foliage and pop your baskets in a cool dry place and pay them no mind. Come the cooler months, your cyclamens will start regrowing and be ready for some water and a bit of fertilizer. 

Cyclamens thrive in potting soil rich in compost that drains well. Root rot is a concern with these plants so water just below the leaves and allow all the water to drain thoroughly. Only water when the soil feels dry and don’t get any water on the foliage. 

Approximate size: 6 – 16 inches

USDA hardiness zone: 5 – 9

3. Ivy

Ivy is usually seen as a run-away creeper that’s left to trail wherever it wants to go. Depending on where you live, it may be considered an invasive plant that needs getting rid of in beds. But, their creeping nature is what makes them such alluring basket plants. Their long vines flow over the edges of baskets, adding a waterfall of green throughout the year, even in the middle of winter. 

There are several varieties of ivy to grow in your hanging baskets, including English ivy and Swedish ivy. The former has lobed leaves that range from light green to dark green. Swedish ivy on the other hand has quaint green leaves with white borders. English ivy is usually grown outdoors, but in shaded areas, while Swedish is predominantly a house plant. Either way, they’re both perfect for your winter hanging basket.

Plant your ivy in a good potting mix with good aeration and that drains well. Keep your basket in a shaded area that gets dappled light as these plants thrive in the shade. They’re also not fans of fluctuating temperatures and prefer a steady temperature range between 45-80F. 

You’ll only need to fertilize your ivy twice a month (once every two weeks or so) during the growing season. Use a balanced fertilizer, adjusting only if you want your ivy to bloom. If that’s the case, use a low-nitrogen fertilizer. 

The only other maintenance you’ll need to worry about is pruning if you want to control the flowing vines. Always use clean, sharp pruning scissors when trimming away any excess length. 

Approximate size:  Up to 15ft long, depending on the variety

USDA hardiness zone: 4 – 9

4.

Ferns

Ferns have grown in popularity over the years, especially as indoor plants. Interestingly, they make charming hanging basket plants, thriving indoors, even during winter where they’re protected from the cold. They’ll keep your space bright and green in the dead of winter. 

Most fern varieties have similar needs, including their love for a tiny bit of morning sun, and afternoon shade. They also love high humidity environments, so if you’re hanging your fern indoors, pop a humidifier on. Or, you could make a statement and let your indoor garden flow into the bathroom, where humidity is at its highest. 

Ferns need to be planted in a decent potting mix that drains well. Watering requirements depend on the variety of ferns. Most enjoy constantly moist soil, while some prefer soil that dries out before the next watering. No matter the type, good drainage is important as fern roots don’t like to sit in water. 

Hanging ferns need to be fertilized once a month during summer and spring with a water-soluble fertilizer. For a healthy fern, opt for a balanced fertilizer. 

Approximate size: differs per species

USDA hardiness zone: differs per species

5. Carex

When thinking of hanging plants, flowy, flowering plants come to mind. But a unique take on hanging baskets is to plant ornamental grass. As in gardens, ornamental grasses add a good texture change with their sharp-edged leaves. 

Carex is the perfect sweeping grass for your winter hanging basket extravaganza. It’s often used as a filler plant, but their thin leaves arch over the edges of baskets, making them a true standalone plant.  During fall, these sharp leaves turn a handsome golden brown, adding a unique break from the greens and summer colors of other plants. 

Carex does need a helping hand during winter however, needing some added protection from the cold. Bring your basket indoors and add a layer of mulch as good protection.

This grass prefers constantly moist soil. So, either keep this as a stand-alone hanging basket plant or pair it with plants with the same water needs. Carex thrives in either full sun or shade. 

Approximate size: 12 – 16 inches

USDA hardiness zone: 5 – 11

6. Heucheras

Heucheras, or coral bells as they’re more commonly known, are the perfect plant for those wanting to add color and texture to their space. They’re also low maintenance, making them an even better hanging basket plant.

Coral bells come in a multitude of colors. Their interesting evergreen leaves can either be gold, rose, purple, yellow, or traditional green. Plant coral bells on their own for a striking leafy look, or with other flowering hanging plants. 

Heucheras are truly the ideal plant, tolerating most climates. They don’t mind drought, humidity, cold, or heat. 

Plant your coral bells in rich, well-draining soil and water frequently during hot, dry spells, otherwise, they’re medium water users. 

Approximate size:  6 – 8 inches

USDA hardiness zone: 4 – 9

7. Primulas

Sometimes simplicity is all you need for a hanging basket display, and primulas offer exactly that. Primulas or primroses aren’t very tall flowering plants, but their colors make up for what they lack. You can get primroses in a multitude of colors, all except green. Over the years, many hybrids have been established, each with its own unique traits and hardiness. 

Get the right primula and you’ll be treated with a rainbow of colors during fall and winter. Their shortness allows them to be planted with other plants in your basket. But you can create a ball of color by planting many in one basket. 

Primulas prefer partial shade, like morning sun and afternoon shade. They need well-draining moist organic-enriched soil that’s slightly acidic. Primulas are also very thirsty plants, needing water regularly. Be careful not to let the soil get too soggy though. You can add some mulch to help the soil retain moisture. 

Approximate size:  6 – 20 inches 

USDA hardiness zone: 2 – 8

8. Winter irises

Winter irises offer a flamboyant touch to hanging baskets, no matter where they’re hung. The most sought after is the Algerian iris, which flowers throughout winter. These stout plants have flowers that come in blue, purple, and white – the perfect winter color pallet. 

These winter flowers sit amongst the clumps of long slender green leaves. These clumps are generally about 12-18 inches wide, making them perfect for smaller hanging baskets. 

Winter irises are easy to care for, needing full sun to really thrive. They’re also relatively drought-tolerant plants, so you won’t be punished for missing a watering or two. 

Plant your irises in dry, well-draining soil. Excess moisture in the soil will rot the bulb.

Approximate size: 12 – 18 inches 

USDA hardiness zone: 7 – 9 

9. Crocus

When it comes to winter plants, no list is complete without the mention of crocus. This perennial flowering plant can survive the coldest, harshest winters. Their delicate flowers can withstand the biting cold of frost, maintaining stunning color throughout winter.  

Crocus flowers bloom in a variety of pretty colors, including pink, white, purple, and even yellow.  There’s nothing like having hints of spring in the middle of gloom. While these colors may not be unique, their shape is the true eye-catcher. The petals bow upwards, forming dainty cups that resemble a many-petalled tulip. 

Crocuses need at least six to eight hours of sunlight a day, but they can tolerate some shade. They’ll thrive in well-draining soil and don’t need any additional fertilizer. This easy-to-care-for plant doesn’t need too much water either, enjoying a moderate moisture level. Soggy soil causes rot, while excessively dry soil can cause the plant to die back. A healthy, weekly watering will suit this plant just fine. 

Approximate size: 6 – 9 inches

USDA hardiness zone: 4 – 8 

10. Snowdrops

One of the most interesting winter bulbs out there has to be snowdrops. They can bloom as early as fall and through winter. Snowdrops have an interesting superpower, in that they have hard tips, which can push through frozen soil. Their plant cells even have an ‘anti-freeze’ ability where they stay intact no matter how cold it gets. Snowdrops are truly one of the few fantastic winter plants. And, better yet, they look great in hanging baskets. 

They make a unique pairing with ivy, where the pretty bulbs won’t be overshadowed. You can also opt to plant many snowdrops in one basket, creating a mini forest of drooping bulbs. 

Snowdrops are native to woodland areas and thrive in similar conditions of moistness and dappled light. However, they can grow in bright light. They need organic-enriched soil to flourish and produce winning flowers. 

Water your snowdrops well but avoid waterlogging the soil. Ensure your hanging basket has sufficient drainage holes. 

Once the bulbs have stopped flowering and the leaves begin to die back, you’ll need to give them a healthy dose of bulb food. This will give them a boost for the next flowering season. 

Approximate size:  3 – 6 inches, depending on variety

USDA hardiness zone: 3 – 7

11.

Sage

Sage is another unique addition to hanging basket gardens. You can opt for ornamental varieties, whose leaves come in interesting colors and patterns, from dark purple to tricolor. Culinary sage works well in hanging baskets too, plus you get to have fresh sage at your fingertips at all times. 

No matter which you choose, you’ll never have to worry about not having color during winter. Sage is an evergreen plant in certain climates, treating your space to its yummy scent, colors, and textures all year round. 

Hang your sage in a sunny spot and water it every so often. It’s native to the Mediterranean so it thrives in some of the worst conditions. It’s highly drought tolerant and isn’t fussy about soil as long as it’s well-draining and fast-drying. 

Despite its Mediterranian heritage, sage is cold-weather hardy and can survive through the winter. If you experience exceptionally harsh winters, however, it may be a good idea to bring your sage baskets indoors. Keep them near a warm sunny window to keep your sage happy and healthy. 

Approximate size: 1 – 3 ft 

USDA hardiness zone:  4 – 9 

12. Thyme

Thyme is another great herb to have in a hanging basket. There are many varieties of thyme to opt for, each with a different scent and taste profile. Golden lemon thyme has lemony scented leaves and caraway thyme smells just like caraway. 

Creeping thyme is the perfect choice for those that want a more aesthetically pleasing plant while still reaping the benefits of growing a herb. It fills hanging baskets, and will quickly spill over their edges. During summer, it produces sweet purple flowers, although that’s not why it’s on this list. 

Much like sage, it’ll survive the winter depending on your climate, but it’s probably best to bring your thyme basket indoors for some protection.

Thyme is another Mediterranean herb, so it’s quite easy to care for. As long it gets plenty of sunlight and is planted in well-draining soil, your thyme will thrive.  

Approximate size: 2 – 12 inches  (depending on variety) 

USDA hardiness zone:  4 – 9 (depending on variety) 

13. Rosemary

Just like thyme and sage, rosemary makes a different but beneficial hanging plant. Its tall spikiness though makes it an attractive plant while giving you the benefits of growing a herb.

These spikey leaves are evergreen in USDA zones 6-10, so your hanging basket should be brought indoors over winter in colder zones. 

Rosemary is also native to the Mediterranean, and so it has very similar needs to both sage and thyme. A normal potting mix that drains well is perfect for rosemary and so long as it receives minimal water and full sun, it’ll thrive. 

Related Reading: How To Propagate Rosemary – Step-by-Step with Photos

Approximate size: 2 – 6ft

USDA hardiness zone: 6 – 10

Best plants for winter hanging baskets: 16 seasonal picks

By Rob Dwiar

published

The idea of choosing the best plants for winter hanging baskets might raise an eyebrow or two at first. After all, we tend to think of them as summertime features. But a vibrant cold-season display is the perfect way to bring good cheer to your garden when the temperatures drop and other blooms fade. 

In fact, winter hanging baskets are, arguably, a bit more interesting than the warm-weather versions. As a result of a bit more thought and research, you might find plants that offer more than just flowers and color, with specimens that provide eye-catching forms, wonderful foliage, or excellent textures. All of this is welcome in the winter garden, when there's not much else on show.

There are other benefits to winter displays positioned up high, too. 'Using hanging baskets is a great way to get around any restrictions which soil or sunlight may have put on your garden,' explains the team at Squire's Garden Centres . You can, in effect, use whatever soil and compost necessary, and they can be placed wherever is most optimal for what you want to grow. What's more, 'they offer protection from slugs and can accommodate a variety of different plants,' they continue. And of course, they're great for small plots where floor space is at a premium. 

Feeling tempted for your own? We've picked some of the best plants to include in your winter hanging baskets so you can create a seasonal and colorful display. Some will be familiar, and some might surprise, but there's plenty to choose from. 

Create a vibrant display with the best plants for winter hanging baskets

Whether you prefer a modern display or something more traditional for your seasonal hanging basket ideas, you'll find just what you need in our edit.

1. Primulas

A long-flowering favorite

(Image credit: Ian Grainger/Alamy Stock Photo)

Primulas come in a rainbow of colors – from the classic butter-yellow to raspberry pink, deep indigo, and blazing orange. Planted in a basket, these beauties are a surefire way to brighten up the garden throughout the colder seasons. Some varieties, such as 'Everlast', will bloom all the way from autumn through to early spring.  

Easy to look after, these winter garden plants are a winning pick for your displays. As they're perennials, you can move them to your borders once they've finished doing their thing, to make space for new plants in your containers.

2. Gaultheria

Jolly berries give this plant a festive feel

(Image credit: Dorling Kindersley ltd/Alamy Stock Photo)

The RHS agrees that gaultheria is one of the best plants for winter hanging baskets, as suggested on their website. Otherwise known as checkerberry, this jolly, evergreen plant will bring a festive feel to any scheme.

As a shade-loving plant, it's valuable in brightening up the gloomiest corners in your garden with its red berries and glossy leaves. If you choose to replace it in a few months' time, use it as ground cover in the garden. Its thick growth habit can help to suppress weeds, says Thompson & Morgan , and in summer, it will flower with white blooms.

3. Narcissus 'Tête-à-tête'

An early-flowering daffodil to bring cheer to the garden

(Image credit: Jane Tregelles/Alamy Stock Photo)

The miniature Narcissus 'Tête-à-tête' brings delight to every gardener with its sunshine-yellow blooms. One of the earliest-flowering daffodils, it will provide color and interest towards the end of the coldest season.

Planting bulbs should be done in autumn, or buy potted plants when they appear in garden centers for instant impact.

4. Cyclamen

Cyclamen hederifolium is a pretty addition to winter hanging baskets

(Image credit: Clare Gainey/Alamy Stock Photo)

A popular go-to plant for winter hanging baskets is cyclamen. While they're known to naturalize, looking very at home at the base of trees or in shadier areas, these perennials can provide excellent color for containers. 

The specimens of Cyclamen coum and Cyclamen hederifolium are your best bets for easy winners. They both have flowers in the pink area of the color spectrum, but C. coum will provide them for you in the early months of the year, while C. hederifolium will have you covered for pre-Christmas color and has pretty, blotched foliage.

Cyclamen are great plants for winter pots on the ground, too, so you can add some to your patio displays as well as your hanging baskets. 

5. Skimmia

Skimmia japonica 'Nymans' with its bright clusters of berries

(Image credit: GKSFlorapics/Alamy Stock Photo)

Another attractive evergreen shrub, skimmia is a useful plant for shaded winter hanging baskets and winter planters. Avoid planting these anywhere too sunny, as this can cause the foliage to turn yellow.

It's one of the best plants with winter berries, but bear in mind that only the hermaphrodite and female forms (such as Skimmia japonica subsp. reevesiana) produce them – and females need a male variety nearby to do so. 

In spring, fragrant white flowers will appear.

6. Violas and pansies

A selection of winter violas will delight any onlooker

(Image credit: amomentintime/Alamy Stock Photo)

A forever favorite in terms of winter-flowering plants, the vast range of winter pansies and violas are a great source of hanging basket potential. 

If you're after jewel-like colors and shades then these are an easy first port of call for the best plants for winter hanging baskets. Plus they are readily available too – there are almost too many cultivars and varieties to choose from. The Amateur Gardening team particularly suggests 'Sorbet Yellow Frost' (Sorbet Series), a compact viola that gives a long show of fragrant yellow and purple flowers during winter and spring.

They're also really easy to plant and look after, making them a great option if you're learning how to make a hanging basket for the first time. Just make sure to grow them in moist, well-drained soil in sun or semi-shade.

7. Ivy

Variegated ivy adds visual interest

(Image credit: Helen Guest/Alamy Stock Photo)

Trailing foliage is a wonderful addition to any hanging basket. But, using ivy in winter schemes is a particularly good use of such a plant due to its attractive form and evergreen structure.

You won't go too far wrong with any of the available cultivars of Hedera helix but the variegated ones are especially lovely for offering a bit more interest. Having said that, a 'normal' ivy with its dark green, glossy leaves is just as good an accompaniment for other, more colorful plants.

8. Heucheras

'Silver Gumdrop' has a pretty appearance

(Image credit: John Richmond/Alamy Stock Photo)

In summer, 'heuchera are great plants for hanging baskets as they create a striking two-tier effect between their flowers and foliage,' says the team at Squire's Garden Centres. And although the flowers die back when temperatures drop, their vibrant, semi-evergreen leaves make them one of the best plants for winter color. They're definitely not one to overlook for displays if you live in a milder region.

'Their low mounding habit means they work brilliantly in any container,' says Squire's. They suggest 'Appletini' which has vibrant lime-green leaves. If you prefer a warmer tone, 'Paprika' sports a festive red hue, whilst 'Silver Gumdrop' has an elegant, frosty appearance.

9.

Hellebores

The 'Double Ellen Purple' hellebore

(Image credit: Lesia Chuprynska/Alamy Stock Photo)

Hellebores are a fabulous winter bloom and come in a spectrum of shades – from bright white to soft greens and blush. They're good for pollinators, too, once spring rolls around.

Try Helleborus niger, otherwise known as the Christmas rose, which produces white saucer flowers and has big, dark-green semi-evergreen leaves, explains the team at Amateur Gardening. Grow in moist, well-drained soil in a sheltered spot with semi-shade.

Alternatively, opt for 'Winterbells' – a subtly pink-flushed bloom. It looks lovely planted alongside heather. If you want something more dramatic, the deep-toned 'Double Ellen Purple' makes a good pick – try planting alongside snowdrops or silvery foliage for a striking contrast.

Whichever you choose, plant it out into your borders once flowering has finished to enjoy the display the following year.

10.

Ornamental cabbage

Ornamental cabbage looks lovely alongside purple heather

(Image credit: Martina Hanakova/Alamy Stock Photo)

With their frilly leaves and eye-catching colors of purple, deep green and snowy white, ornamental cabbages are easily one of the best plants for winter hanging baskets. You can grow these plants from seed in early summer in pots before hardening off and planting up – the pink pigment will begin to develop when temperatures reach below 50˚F (10˚C).

They can survive most winters without trouble, right down to temperatures of around 5˚F (-15˚C). Hang the baskets in a sunny spot if you can.

11. Snowdrops

Snowdrops are well-loved by many gardeners

(Image credit: Clare Gainey/Alamy Stock Photo)

The genus of Galanthus is a tremendous one to consider for winter hanging baskets. Now with a bigger range than ever before, you can get hold of snowdrops that can bloom as early as autumn, but also throughout the winter months, and into spring, too. 

Galanthus woronowii is a good one for a display just after Christmas, sporting solitary flowers that often have a distinct green spot on the inner tepals. 

12. Ferns

Ferns add texture and structure

(Image credit: Jacek Nowak/Alamy Stock Photo)

Ferns are a wonderful foliage option to plant alongside flowers, or to provide a bold winter hanging basket display in their own right. Specimens such as hart's tongue fern (Asplenium scolopendrium) and soft shield fern (Polystichum setiferum) are your go-to species to keep things safe. 

The evergreen leaves can provide a great backdrop to colorful blooms. Plus, the sword-like fronds and overall form of the plants make them a great structural addition to the winter garden, as many are easily hardy enough to survive the coldest of conditions.  

13. Heather

Winter flowering heathers add a burst of vibrant color to the garden

(Image credit: Minna Waring/Alamy Stock Photo)

The winter-flowering specimens of the Erica carnea species, in particular, are excellent picks for winter hanging baskets. These low-growing, tough and hardy plants can provide textural mats of foliage while flowering in a variety of colors from pinks to whites to purples. 

If you have time to search for particular plants, 'Ann Sparkes' is a lovely choice for rose- and purple-pinks, 'Challenger' is a vivid magenta-flowering variety, and 'Golden Starlet' is a terrific white-flowered choice. 

What's more, heathers are also one of the best bee-friendly plants come springtime, but, importantly, you'll have to remember some ericaceous compost to get the best out of them.

14.

Sedges

Carex comans 'Bronze' alongside primulas and ivy

(Image credit: mike jarman/Alamy Stock Photo)

A wonderful type of ornamental grass, sedges (Carex) plants can offer a range of colors but the real magic to be gained by adding them to winter hanging baskets is in their texture and form. 

One of my personal favorites – and one that is easy to get hold of – is Carex testacea, the orange New Zealand sedge. However, the Japanese sedge selections, such as 'Fiwhite', are almost even better as they stay slightly smaller, perfect for hanging basket displays. 

Each sword of a sedge plant offers the opportunity for great textural contrast against 'softer' or more traditional plants and the evergreen nature means that form and texture will be there to stay, all year round. 

15. Crocuses

Early crocuses will tolerate harsh winter weather

(Image credit: Panther Media GmbH/Alamy Stock Photo)

No list of the best plants for winter hanging baskets would be complete without crocuses – and these will keep coming up every year by being reliable perennials.  

There are plenty of purple-pink specimens to choose from, but also some striking yellow ones that can add pops of bright color. 

Really early winter flowering plants are a bit more tricky to come by but the 'Mount Athos' crocus gives it a good go, and something like 'Romance' will bring you late winter color (and into spring) with its bright yellow bursts.

16. Winter irises

The 'Harmony' winter iris offers eye-catching color

(Image credit: iBulb)

There are several winter irises that will provide you with excellent color year on year in your winter hanging baskets. The reticulata cultivars are particularly good ones to search for as they are reliable late-winter color providers. 

Like the crocuses, they span a few color ranges but your best bet for winter hanging baskets are going to be ones that provide blue and purple shades, like Iris reticulata itself, or 'Blue Note' which is more of a dark purple kind of affair. 'Harmony', shown above, is also a lovely choice. 

Planting ideas for winter hanging baskets

Some of the best plants for winter hanging baskets look especially fabulous when combined. It's a simple duo – but cyclamen and variegated ivy has to be one of our favorites. The deep green foliage and vivid pink petals are lifted by the trailing pale-hued leaves, and the overall look feels structural yet romantic. Choose a basket where you can plant up the sides as well as the top, for a fuller display. 

If just two varieties feels a little too minimal, an ornamental grass in the center will add height and additional visual interest.

A colorful display featuring Cyclamen hederifolium

(Image credit: Avalon.red/Alamy Stock Photo)

There are so many beautiful foliage plants you can use in winter hanging baskets as well as ivy. Hebes, hardy sedums, and the silvery Calocephalus brownii are some of the best, or choose winter plants with frosted foliage for an elegant look.

Try combining a selection with heather (either pink or white) for an eye-catching result, whilst lining the basket itself with moss will give an organic feel.

This display combines heather with textural foliage

(Image credit: Dorling Kindersley ltd/Alamy Stock Photo)

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When should you plant a winter hanging basket?

'To ensure your flowers bloom in good time, we advise planting before winter arrives,' says the team at Squire's Garden Centres. Ideally, you want to get planting in early fall to give your flowers the best time to bloom, they advise, 'this will ensure your hard work and investment pays off.'

Winter irises and pansies make a gorgeous duo

(Image credit: Clare Gainey/Alamy Stock Photo)

How often should you water a winter hanging basket?

In general, you'll need to spend less time watering plants in winter as their growth rate is slower and there tends to be more rain. However, hanging baskets dry out quicker than other types of containers (especially if they're under cover), so you will still need to water them now and again to keep them looking their best. Once a week should be enough, but check the soil first – too much can lead to waterlogging. Use rainwater if possible as it's better for the plants.

If you're short on time, the RHS suggests using self-watering baskets. They still need watering now and again, but less frequently. The water then goes into a separate reservoir that gradually supplies the plants' roots when needed. 

These Nido planters from Lechuza are self-watering and look fantastic

(Image credit: Lechuza)

How do you make a winter hanging basket?

Planting a winter hanging basket is super easy and a fun job to while away an autumn afternoon. Squire's Garden Centres shares their top tips on how to do it:

  1. Place your basket on a bucket to keep it steady whilst you plant.
  2. Line your basket. Some baskets have a ready-made liner or if you need to line, you can do so with materials such as plastic or moss.
  3. Once lined, snip a few drainage holes into the lining (if plastic). Then fill the basket two-thirds full with compost. It is advisable to add a handful of controlled-release fertilizer granules and water-retaining gel to your mix.
  4. Use one plant for every inch (2.5–3cm) of basket diameter when constructing your hanging basket. Start with a central plant to create structure and impact.
  5. Plant trailing plants, such as ivy, around the edge. Angle them slightly but ensure that their roots are still covered by the compost. A nice touch is to plant some ivy near the chain and weave it around – this will make it look like the ivy is supporting the basket.
  6. Once you've finished positioning your plants, fill the gaps with compost and firm in gently.
  7. Hang the basket somewhere that's sheltered from the wind and water well.

Looking for more advice for pepping up your backyard through the colder months? Our guide on how to plant a winter container is well worth a look.

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weaving plants, names and photos

Among landscape designers, gardeners and owners of country houses, climbing garden plants are especially popular. They are used to decorate the facade of buildings, arbors and walls, camouflage unsightly buildings and even create hedges.

Contents

Varieties of climbing plants

Loaches differ in life span, growth rate, shape and color of flowers and foliage. With their help, the territory is divided into zones, planted with canopies, arches, gazebos, used as a green shield from the scorching sun and cool breeze.

Climbing outdoor flowers are divided into several groups according to the way of growth:

  1. Clinging. Requires special posts or other support systems. They tightly cover them with stem processes-antennae and crawl up.
  2. climbers. They don't need support or extra help. They confidently stretch up all the stands that come across on the way, releasing special sucker roots.
  3. Creeping. Generally requires little support, but can grow along the ground, covering it with a dense carpet and protecting it from weeds.

Climbing plants are divided into herbaceous and shrubby, perennial and annual.

See also: Medicinal herbs that are grown in the country

Annual climbing plants

Annuals are fast-growing cascading vines with variegated flowers, ideal for vertical gardening. Loaches, which live only 1 year, are distinguished by active growth, a voluminous leafy crown, long flowering and various shades of flowers. Plant growers advise using several varieties of climbing flowering plants to build summer arbors at once.

Ampelous gloxinia (Azarin, Lophos)

A profusely flowering annual liana with tubular, trumpet-like flowers. In length, they reach 4-5 cm, have a light purple, lilac, purple, hot pink color and a whitish center. Azarina is thermophilic and photophilous, actively growing in width and length. Its flowering, with proper care, continues until the first frost. With the help of flexible leaf petioles, the flower wraps around narrow mesh supports.

Rough vine

Quite fastidious annual liana, but very popular with flower growers because of its doubly pinnate leaves and long bright flowering. It produces narrow tubular flowers of purple-pink, bright orange, golden yellow color, collected in large loose clusters. With the help of tendrils, the flower clings to a support of any thickness and structure and sometimes rises up to 5 meters in height in 1 season. It is also grown in tubs on balconies and terraces. The vineyard shows all its beauty if a site has been allocated for it in a sunny and warm place.

Sweet Pea

Beautiful climbing outdoor flower with a pleasant aroma. At the beginning of summer, its weakly branched winged stems are covered with moth flowers, red, pink, white, purple, blue. Their diameter, depending on the variety, ranges from 3-8 cm. Over time, fruits similar to pea pods begin to appear from the inflorescences. If they are cut off in time at the bud, the flower will continue to bloom until the first winter frosts. Sweet peas are attached to the support with small tendrils. A thin support is more suitable for him, for example, a carved wooden trellis or wire mesh. The plant prefers soil rich in humus, protected from the wind, well-lit places, as well as moderate watering.

Ipomoea tricolor

It wraps its strong green arms around everything that comes in its way. This representative of the genus Bindweed grows well on vertical supports, walls, high fences, creating a lively fragrant carpet.

Ipomoea is a poisonous plant. It should not be planted where pets and children often walk.

At the beginning of summer, the annual loach dresses up with large funnel-shaped flowers (light blue, violet, blue), reaching 8-10 cm in diameter. They are adjacent to large heart-shaped leaves. At night they close in buds, and in the morning they again amaze with their beauty. To maintain a long luxurious flowering, the plant requires frequent watering, a warm sunny place without drafts and sandy-loamy soil with the addition of lime.

Climbing kobeya

Landscape designers who know thousands of names of climbing plants for the garden especially highlight the annual kobeya or "bell grape". In summer, it blooms with purple curly flowers with a pleasant honey aroma, shaped like large bells. Tenacious shoots of a plant braid everything that comes across them on the way. They form into a dense vine and serve as an ideal protection from prying eyes, bright sun and wind. It is best to fix this loach on a thin wire mesh. It needs to be watered frequently to maintain abundant flowering.

Nasturtium (capuchin)

During the warm spring and summer, this herbaceous beauty grows up to 3 meters in height. Produces six-centimeter flowers, similar in shape to the mouthpiece of a gramophone, red, pink, orange, yellow, white. They exude a delicate aroma with a slight bitterness, repelling flies and mosquitoes. Nasturtium loves sunny warm places. Its new large shoots need to be tied up in time, and the plant itself should be periodically watered and fed with mineral fertilizers without nitrogen once a week before flowering.

Climbing hop

Excellent shade tolerance and impresses with its bright green lobed large leaves on high petioles. Although hops are not climbing flowering flowers, they are pleasing to the eye with their volume. It can climb up to 4 meters up a plastered wall. It grows without problems on balconies and terraces, where twigs are installed, wire or twine is pulled. Sometimes this annual is grown in hanging pots. So that it does not lose its decorative properties, does not stop growing, it is fertilized and exposed to the sun.

Perennial climbing plants

These creepers will please the eye for years. They withstand winter frosts and are usually unpretentious in care.

Actinidia kolomikta

This climbing outdoor plant is also called "Amur gooseberry". You need to grow it in pairs, that is, a male and female bush. Crimson or pink spots appear on the large green leaves of the creeper, as well as golden or white inflorescences. This colorful unusual carpet on the gazebo or balcony, after flowering, is covered with berries that taste like sweet and sour gooseberries. You can eat them, make jams and jams.

Wisteria

Just a fabulous atmosphere reigns in the garden where wisteria is planted. This is an ideal climbing flower for the garden with large hanging racemes of blue, white, lilac, purple. The stems of this woody plant sometimes reach a height of 15 meters. In autumn, the green foliage of the wisteria turns bright lemon. The clusters of flowers fall off and in their place fruits grow like bean pods. In early spring, last year's shoots of vines are cut off. She does not like too wet soil, and for the winter her roots need shelter - agrofiber or coniferous pillow.

Parthenocissus

Wild or parthenocissus can be found not only in orchards and orchards, but also everywhere in yards, squares and parks. This is an unpretentious weaving street liana flower, undemanding to lighting and soil. In summer, its foliage is light or dark green, and by autumn it begins to turn red. By the beginning of winter, the leaves fall off and only small bunches of black berries, similar to grapes, remain on dry branches.

Honeysuckle honeysuckle (fragrant)

The most common variety of climbing honeysuckle, unpretentious and easy to care for. This climbing deciduous shrub with reddish, purple or yellowish flowers is actively growing and gaining height, but flowering does not begin until 3 years after planting. Delicate branches of honeysuckle are covered with small berries in autumn. They look like sparks scattered over the greenish-gray foliage.

Clematis

Beautiful climbing plant that flowers from June to September. Meter lashes of clematis are buried in large and bright colors. They are given a certain direction with the help of supporting metal arcs. Planted next to a trellis terrace, porch or gazebo. This perennial should not be heavily watered. It does not tolerate excessively wet soil and begins to hurt. The flowers are crushed, or even do not appear at all. Faded shoots must be pruned, and at the beginning of winter, the plant is covered with a layer of compost or dry needles.

Kampsis

Garden flower weaving on a support or ground. It is actively growing, faster than most perennial loaches. Its unusual orange flowers with curved edges are tubular in shape, but practically odorless. The young shoot of the kampsis in just a year turns into a sprawling woody vine, which is only occasionally watered, cut or attached to a new trellis. And for the winter, the roots are insulated with needles.

Find out more: Growing Kampsis

Siberian prince

Bindweed or wild hop - this is also the name of the taiga perennial climber Siberian prince from the Lyutikov family. It is a branchy shrub with climbing stems that cling to various supports and even bare wall surfaces.

Handle the plant carefully. Its leaves and stems are poisonous. Despite this, medicinal preparations are made from them, which are successfully used in traditional medicine.

In early summer, the plant blooms with large white flowers, inside of which there are many whitish stamens. Although there are varieties with pink and even purple inflorescences. These creepers are real Siberians that can withstand cold and sudden temperature changes.

Schisandra chinensis

A spreading perennial climber with lemon-scented shoots. Its bright green shiny leaves on reddish or pinkish petioles turn yellow-orange by autumn. In spring, snow-white fragrant flowers appear on lemongrass, and in summer they are replaced by red clusters of small berries that last until winter. This perennial quickly takes root in a new place. It is planted in partial shade, sprayed in the heat and loosen the soil several times a month.

Ivy (Hedera)

Evergreen ivy is a worthy competitor to all decorative vines. The name of this climbing flower for the garden is known to many. It can encircle the whole house to the very roof, but only with the condition of periodic top dressing and regular soil moisture. Some varieties of ivy are grown at home in hanging planters. Although the plant cannot boast of beautiful flowering. Its small greenish inflorescences-umbrellas are practically invisible against the background of the main green mass.

Roses

These are the most beautiful climbing shrubs, the variety names of which are known to many gardeners:

Many varieties of climbing roses bloom profusely several times a year, even during the colder months. You can look at them endlessly. They feel great on the walls on the north side, and also encircle fences and gazebos located in the sun.

Hops

Herbaceous climbing garden flowers, the names of which appear in many manuals for florists. Juicy green shoots attach to any support or wall with their sucker spikes. In one place, hops can grow up to 25-30 years. The length of one creeper sometimes reaches 10-12 meters. The female plant produces bunches of inflorescences, very similar to cones. The aerial part of hops dies off at the end of autumn. Only the roots remain in the ground, which in the spring begin to sprout again.

Unpretentious climbing plants for summer cottages

March 3, 2023

Article content:

In trying to find the perfect climbing flowers for the garden, the main selection criterion is the difficulty in care. Especially if the plant is intended for a dacha where you do not live permanently: regularly water, loosen, cut, etc. it just won't work.

We have selected for you the most unpretentious loaches that will become a luxurious decoration of your site and at the same time will not require special attention when leaving.

Of course, no culture can survive without care and attention. Therefore, in our rating, we have included plants that require minimal care when growing, compared to other decorative vines.

Parthenocissus


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Not a single list of perennial loaches for summer cottages is complete without this plant. Girlish grapes are completely undemanding to soil, lighting, watering, and at the same time they are able to turn the most unattractive fence or fence into a solid green wall. The peculiarity of this crop is the changing color of the leaves: bright bronze in early spring, green in summer and ruby ​​red in autumn. And the very rapid growth of the liana and the ability to direct its shoots allows it to be used in the design of a wide variety of garden structures - from trellises to arbors.

Ivy


This climbing plant is unpretentious: it is enough to choose a place for it in which it will not be burned by direct sunlight and which will be protected from drafts.

This vine can reach a length of 15 m or more, which allows it to be used for all types of landscaping - both vertical and ground cover.
Although ivy is considered an invasive plant that can "swallow" everything around it, its growth is quite slow, so the length and direction of the shoots is very easy to control with infrequent pruning.

It can be successfully used to create green curtains, as dense shading for gazebos and porches, etc. And in winter, this evergreen plant will look like an oasis in the middle of a snowy desert.

Ipomoea


These unpretentious curly flowers are annuals. But, it is worth sowing them once in the chosen place, and the only concern will be the removal of excess seedlings in subsequent years - Ipomoea is sown on its own.

The plant is not demanding on soil and watering, but it will not like to grow in dense shade - the shoots are too long, and flowering is reduced. But in partial shade morning glory will feel great.

These loaches for giving bloom very brightly, and the variety of shades is amazing. Ipomoea is good "friends" with other creepers, so it is often planted between girlish grapes or ivy to dilute the plain greenery with multi-colored ipomoea gramophones.

Clematis


If you have chosen these loach flowers to give, the most important thing is to find the right place for them. Clematis does not tolerate winds, drafts, stagnant air, drought and excess moisture. It seems that these are contradictory conditions? Not at all. Just do not plant clematis next to a solid fence or wall (where the plant overheats), and next to "uncontrolled" sources of moisture (weirs, in an area with high groundwater, etc.).

In all other respects, it is enough to choose a well-lit and drained place, and carefully mulch the soil after each watering (if it is not possible to regularly water clematis in the heat).

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Climbing roses


If spray roses are the queens of the flower garden, then climbing roses are the queens of any location in the garden, on the veranda and anywhere else. They are able to create a dense curtain strewn with incredibly beautiful flowers, and their shades and fullness are so diverse that even the most fastidious florist will find “his” variety or hybrid.

These are very unpretentious climbing plants for giving or a country house. When planting, choose a place that is illuminated by the sun for at least 5 hours during the day, and be sure to provide the plant with reliable support. Climbing rose shoots can stretch up to 5 m in height, and during flowering they also become heavy.

Campsis


If you are looking for a climbing plant that is not only unpretentious, but also able to bloom for a long time and brightly, Kampsis is exactly what you need. This is a deciduous vine with shoots that become woody with age. In the warm season, it will serve as an excellent decoration and shading - the dense original foliage creates an almost impenetrable curtain. And from June to September you will enjoy large, up to 10 cm long tubular "gramophones", collected in lush inflorescences. Depending on the variety, Kampsis can bloom in pink, light red, orange, ruby ​​​​and dark wine colors. And in winter, the intricately twisting shoots will resemble a forged structure, which will also benefit garden design.

The specifics of campsis care comes down to controlling the level of humidity and protection from strong winds. Just like clematis, this vine does not like drought or stagnant water, and prefers places without drafts.

Honeysuckle


This plant is a liana-shaped representative of honeysuckle, which is ideal as a green and magnificently flowering decoration in a garden or a recreation area in a country house.

Honeysuckle blooms no longer than 4 weeks, from May to June, but even without flowers it looks very impressive. It's all about its leaves, which under the sunlight become variegated: greens are interspersed with pink and red hues. In addition, after flowering is completed, bright orange berries form in place of the flowers. They are not suitable for food or other needs, but give honeysuckle even more decorative effect.

The vine does not need frequent watering, but prefers sunny, well-lit places.

Wisteria


This is, without exaggeration, the queen of all garden vines. During flowering, its long hanging flowers form an incredibly beautiful cascading canopy.

The only conditional difficulty in caring for wisteria is the need to constantly maintain the level of soil moisture. The plant will not die in a drought, but the buds that have not yet been opened can be dropped. But this problem is easily solved by high-quality mulching or moisture accumulators (in case you cannot regularly water the vine).

Also, for more lush and prolonged flowering, wisteria should be fed, and in regions with harsh winters, it should be removed from the support and covered in the fall.

But these minor efforts will pay off with interest when the wisteria blooms and turns your site into a real fairy tale.

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