How To Create Hanging Baskets from Hostas – The Perfect Shade Basket!
- John Plant
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
If you are looking for a different idea for a shady porch or outdoor living space – why don't you try creating a few hanging baskets with Hostas!
Yes… Hostas in hanging baskets.
Selecting plants for hanging baskets in shaded areas of your garden can be quite challenging. This is particularly true if you seek a perennial plant that will thrive and persist year after year. Mixing Hostas with other species such as ferns may enhance the look of the basket.
Why Hostas Are Perfect for Hanging Baskets? – Creating Hanging Baskets from Hostas
With their stunning foliage, Hostas are a unique alternative from more traditional shade-loving hanging basket plants. With leaves that naturally spill down over the sides from their own weight, they fill out baskets quickly.
Your first thought may be to find a supplier who provides pre-made baskets with Hostas already planted. However, it is worth noting that in the United Kingdom, it is not common to find Hostas already planted in baskets; whilst numerous annuals and other perennials are available, Hostas are not typically found in this format.
You will probably need to buy your Hostas from a reputable supplier to plant your basket with. Your Hostas will eventually out-grow your basket, when you can split them and replant or plant them in the garden.
Choosing your basket
When selecting an appropriate basket for your Hosta, it is advisable to choose one that includes a moisture reservoir. The type of basket you use will primarily depend on the frequency with which you need to water your hanging baskets
These baskets are equipped with a mesh insert and a plug that create a small water storage reservoir at the base. This feature can be particularly beneficial if you anticipate being away from your garden for an extended period, as it helps ensure adequate watering of the plants. Hostas require consistent moisture and do not thrive when allowed to dry out, making this type of basket ideal for their care.
The size of the basket should relate directly to the size of the Hosta or Hostas, and the eventual mature growth size.
We have opted to display some of our miniatures in very small baskets. The compost is a rich mixture of proprietary compost, horticultural grit for drainage, and well-rotted manure.
Slightly larger Hostas can be used in larger baskets. However, we suggest you don’t use very large or giant Hostas for this purpose.
There are also coir-lined, metal-framed baskets, which generally possess a larger capacity. These baskets are aesthetically pleasing and can hold a greater quantity of plant material.
Watering them is relatively straightforward; one can place the basket in a container and allow the water to thoroughly saturate both the basket and its coir lining, which assists in directing the water to the roots of the plants. However, this same mechanism causes moisture to be drawn away from the plants once the basket is suspended, due to the wicking nature of the coir.
Consequently, it is advisable to insert a plastic lining at the base of the basket to create a shallow reservoir, thereby preventing the basket from completely drying out. Experience tells me, these baskets tend to dry out more rapidly, potentially causing damage to the root system if not promptly addressed.
An alternative to the ‘hanging basket’ is to wire the container and hangs from a fence. This can be very effective as you can see from the photos.
Caring For Hostas in A Hanging Basket Planter
Caring for your baskets through the summer couldn’t be easier. You will still need to water plants on a regular basis, but you will notice they are not as needy as traditional annual flowering plants, but still dry out quickly.
Providing the compost has plenty of feed in it, when planted, it should last the season making fertilising unnecessary. However, a liquid balanced feed once a month will help keep the foliage strong and vibrant.
Most Hosta plants will still set blooms when growing in hanging baskets. You can leave the blooms in place to enjoy. Removing the flowers may help to keep more energy for stronger foliage. It will also keep the basket tidy.
One of the primary advantages of incorporating Hostas into hanging baskets is their potential for perennial use. As the growing season comes to a close, you can carefully extract the Hostas from their hanging baskets and transplant them into the ground or pot up for overwintering. Clean & sterilise your empty basket, before storing for the winter.
Unlike other shade-loving plants such as some ferns, there is no need to bring them indoors for preservation. Next spring, you can either leave them in the landscape or dig them up to create more basket planters for the new season. This approach can save money and add colour to shaded porches.
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John Plant
Rewela Hostas
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