Baskets and Blooms - best plants, best prices. Direct from the grower

Planting winter hanging baskets is similar to summer ones but the big difference is that your plants won't grow so much - after all it'll be cold and not so much sunshine. This means you'll use bigger plants but maybe just a few less of them.

Winter pansies are great for colour but be sure to include a few bud flowering heathers and ivies to give a framework that will withstand the really cold times when the pansies have a bit of a rest.

You can add in a variety of other plants like little conifers, cyclamen, primroses and gaultheria - just remember to water them in well after planting and give them a drink during dry spells. Baskets under the over-hang of eaves and porches will need regular watering as they'll get no benefit from our downpours.

Feeding can be minimal, some slow release fertiliser mixed at time of planting helps and as the weather warms in the new year a little extra feed with keep things green and flowering - as always tomato feed will serve the purpose well.