Hanging Basket Blog December 2010 

Tis the season – and how we love to decorate for the holidays.

Just because it is cold in many parts of the USA and Canada does not mean you have to pack your hanging baskets and planters away. In this blog we share with you some inspirational and easy ideas on how to decorate your hanging baskets and planters for winter and the Holidays.

If you have been following us on our monthly blogs you will no doubt be aware of our exciting new tomato’s the 100s & 1000s, ( tomato hundreds and thousands).

We have also be fortunate in finding a great new garden planter from Greenbo and we look forward to making this available for you to purchase from us online in the next few weeks.

Happy Holiday’s from us all.

Tomatoes for Hanging Baskets, Our 100’s & 1000’s Tomato Blog Update

Well yes the seeds have sprouted and the plants have now found their home in our hanging baskets. Germination was excellent as you would expect from any of Sutton’s seeds.

We are so excited to be able to supply this range of seeds – carefully preserved for over 400 years. For more information on ordering click here.

Sutton’s describe this Tomato - Hundreds and Thousands as “Probably the world's most prolific fruiting tomato! “ It is great for hanging baskets and Suttons goes on to say “This vigorous, easy-to-grow heirloom variety is like no tomato you've ever seen before! Perfect for baskets, window boxes or raised patio containers, the cascading plants live up to their name, producing literally thousands of sweet, juicy, bite-sized tomatoes in an inexhaustible supply throughout the summer”

These are the seedlings we germinated and these raised to healthy little 100s and 1000S tomato plants. They have just been transferred into their hanging baskets, left for a few days to settle and get over any transplant shock, now they and are ready to placed into a warm, sheltered and sunny position.

This is what a full grown hanging basket of the tomato hundreds and thousands looks like and is what we are all hoping for.

For more on this we are launching a dedicated site to tomatoes for hanging baskets and in particular great varieties like the TOMATO 100s & 1000S. Email us to be the first to see when our site and blog goes on line. helpdesk@gardensquirrel.com

GreenBo Garden Planters

This new range of Green Bo garden planters is really exciting. Ideal for those gardeners whose gardening space is limited, Greenbo planters dress up railings with their bright colors and contemporary design. A great gift idea.

For information on how to order Greenbo Garden Planters email us at email helpdesk@gardensquirrel.com   We have more on these great planters below.

SEASONAL IDEAS FOR YOUR HANGING BASKETS

Dress up your Hanging baskets for the Winter

Your hanging baskets need not be put away for the winter.  It is so easy with a little imagination to dress up your baskets for the winter.

This gardener likes to fill her hanging basket in her entryway with cinnamon-scented pine cones for the winter. They give off a great welcoming fragrance.

Decorating Baskets and Planters with Winter Greens

It is so easy and lots of fun to decorate your baskets and planters with winter greens.

Here are some inspiration ideas from the folks at Tonkadale Garden Centre and Nursery.

Garden Squirrel has lots of other baskets ideal for dressing up for the holidays. 

It’s Easy to Make Hanging Baskets of Winter Greens

Step 1 – Empty and Tidy Up Your Hanging Basket or Hanging Planter.  Empty your hanging basket of its plants and soil – then clean and dry the basket and liner. If using an angel moss hanging basket liner you will find that this usually comes away in large pieces. These can be stored for reuse in spring either as a liner (you can easily patch them by adding more moss), or as a soil conditioner – the moss holds so much moisture when wet that mixing the used liner into you potting soil when planting your baskets make for a wonderful all natural way of helping your soil retain moisture between waterings.

Step 2 – Add Oasis floral foam to the middle of your basket Most craft and floral shops will stock Oasis or a similar product. This not only acts to hold water but works wells as an anchor to hold down larger winter greens.

Tip – Be sure to also get some florist wire – this is great to help support larger limbs, and to wire in ribbons and other decorations.

 
Step 3 – Assemble Your Winter Greens & Decorations.  Winter greens can usually be purchased from your garden centre or florist. Many craft stores now carry a good range also.  When planning your hanging basket of winter greens be sure to consider adding in a color highlights – red works well, as does almost any color. Using different or complimentary shades of the color of your choice work well as do contrasting colors such as red and gold – let your imagination soar.  Holly, Juniper, Shore Pine, Incense Cedar, Spruce Top, Pine Cones, Red Berry Stems all work well – as do many of the great artificial flowers available today.

Step 4 – Create your Hanging Basket of Winter Greens.  Make a fresh cut at the base of each spruce, trim off any stray greens and save these for later. Insert with the tallest spruce-top in the middle of your hanging basket or planter. Fill around with remaining spruce-tops, insert at an angle and stager heights for interest and fullness Insert any spare greens around the edges or sides of the hanging basket to create fullness and to plug any gaps

Then add and use your complimentary “greens” or decorations to add color and interest.

Tip 1 - Spray your winter greens with Wilt-Stop™  Wilt Stop is a natural pine resin that will keep your greens from drying out. You can use this product on your prized evergreen shrubs too!  This great product helps reduce shock and reduces moisture loss from your winter greens keeping them looking better for longer.  Wilt Stop also helps to prevent winter kill, wind burn, sunscald, and salt damage.

Tip 2 - Consider adding some of the bright and decorative glass balls and ornaments to your hanging basket of winter greens. Florist wire allows you to easily attach these and the effect can be quite stunning as you can see above. 

Light Up Your Hanging Baskets and Planters

There are some really great battery operated ways to light up your hanging baskets and planters. Wall Greens among other retailers offer strings of battery operated LED lights in mixed colors or all white for as little as $3.99 per pack.

These lights are bright and last for hours and hours. The pack states you can get as much as 120 hours from just one set of batteries which is great.

We have used these this year both indoors and out – on hanging baskets and on wreaths to great effect and have not had to worry about having to conceal wires or have them dangling about from basket to power outlet.

In fact most of our guests have been so impressed they have purchased sets for themselves to use in their own homes.

From Hanging Baskets to Kissing Balls

We are not sure what actually came first – the hanging basket decorated with winter greens, bright glass balls, ribbons and more or the larger more modern kissing balls we see today.

From a historical perspective Kissing balls were actually popular handmade Christmas decorations during the Victorian age, a practice that pre-dated hanging mistletoe on a doorway.

Kissing balls of old were made of pine needles, evergreen boughs, and flowers arranged around a small potato or apple.

Today, kissing balls are generally much larger (the size of a 12-24” hanging basket) and are made of brightly colored winter green, flowers, ribbons, and decorations.

As a compliment to traditional Christmas decor the use of kissing balls in weddings is a very recent development Kissing Balls have evolved in size and shape and just like hanging baskets decorated with winter greens they look great in the corners of your patio, front of your garage, perhaps around your porch, or on a Sheppard's hook.

PLANTS FOR HANGING BASKETS

Poinsettias
The colored leaves of the Poinsettias are not the flowers, they are colored leaves are in fact called bracts. There are over 100 different varieties of Poinsettias and they are a favorite for decorating over the Holiday Season.

Poinsettias like bright, indirect sunlight and prefer humid conditions. Let the soil dry out between waterings. Poinsettias are sensitive to extreme temperatures, so don’t place your plant next to a heater or near a drafty window or doorway. Also carefully consider their use outdoors.

A daytime temp of around 65° and nights around 60° will provide a perfect condition for your Poinsettia.

Poinsettias in Hanging Baskets and Hanging Planters
Poinsettias work well in hanging baskets – side plant them into a moss hanging basket to create sensational balls of red bracts. Top planted they look great also.
Remember to hang your baskets of poinsettias in a sheltered position well away from cold breezes

Poinsettias in Wreaths
Poinsettias are also fantastic when used in wreaths. Wreaths of Poinsettia’s provide a dramatic yet welcoming addition to entrance ways and on external doors.
Small poinsettias in 6-10” pots are usually available from good garden centers. Wire wreath frames are also available from craft stores.

Living Poinsettia Wreath’s can be created by inserting the plant directly into a living wreath form (for more information email helpdesk@gardensquirrel.com). These living wreath forms are wire frames lined with angel moss. Being already assembled they are easy to plant up.

Living Floral Poinsettia Wreaths can be easily created by purchasing an Oasis wreath form from your floral supplier or craft store – soak this then drain the wreath of any excess moisture, by sitting it upright. Then you are ready to add your poinsettia stems, ribbons and other decorations.

Using Poinsettias in Floral Wreaths & Arrangements

Poinsettias also work well in floral arrangements. The secret to using cut Poinsettias for arrangements is to sear the cut stems with a candle flame and this will help keep your flowers fresh.

Poinsettias excrete a milky sap when the leaves or stems are broken. You need to stop the flow of that sap to prevent drooping flowers. The sap isn’t poisonous, but it can irritate your skin, so you might want to wear gloves while searing your cuts and making your arrangement.

How To Sear The Stems
Sear stems with a pillar candle to keep your hands free. Once you cut a stem, sear it quickly to avoid letting too much sap drip out. The sap will boil or bubble under the candle flame. If you remove leaves, you’ll also need to sear the points where the leaves were attached.

If, within an hour or so the blossoms remain upright, you’ve seared it correctly. If it starts to droop, the easiest remedy is to cut a fresh flower and try again.

Place seared stems in tepid water treated with a floral preservative to condition and extend the life of the blooms. The stems are hollow and will absorb water after they’re seared. Poinsettias get thirsty once they’re cut, so check their water level often. Add more floral preservative each time you change the water.

Did you know that December 12th is National Poinsettia Day?

More on Poinsettias here. 

WHAT'S NEW - Greenbo Garden Planters

Decorate your railings with Greenbo Garden Planters for a colorful, sophisticated and modern edge. These great new garden planters are designed to go over and to brighten up balcony railings.

The Greenbo planter’s range of colors quickly transforms houses, pool fences, apartment balconies, offices, shopping malls or any space with railings – a really cool feature is that they can be used both indoors or outdoors. 

If you live in an urban area where space is at a premium and are lucky enough to have a balcony, you definitely don’t want to waste any precious floor area with potted plants. Of course you still want some greenery on your balcony but what good are plants if there’s no place for you to sit and enjoy them?

Greenbo Planter’s provides a unique solution for growing flowers and plants by hanging over any type of railing.

Made in Europe from high quality UV protected polypropylene, these contemporary garden planters have been made with ease of use in mind. Their patented rail stability allows you to grow flowers or herb gardens without any screws, nails or brackets; which means no more rusting and damages to walls, banisters and fences.

These planters also free up valuable balcony space for city dwellers and allow better use of
outdoor area for relaxation and enjoyment.

They comes with a built-in draining solution (two removable, cleanable, and replaceable
trays) and a harp looking design with 8 different colors to choose from contemporary
to more vibrant colors.

FEATURES:

• Mounting does not require nails or screws.
• Fits all railing shapes and sizes (up to 8.5cm / 3.35”).
• Made of a high quality Polypropylene material, with increased strength & drop-resistance.
• Contains UV ingredient which protects against sun and weather damages, thus ensuring colors last for years.
• Contains a built-in draining solution - two removable, cleanable & replaceable trays.
• Weight : 1.2kg / 2.6lbs Diameter (cm/in): 29.0 / 11.5" Height (cm/in): 30.0 / 12.0"
  Soil Capacity: 8 liter
  
  

collection of articles on hanging baskets for flowers, vegetables, herbs and more