Just as no well dressed lady would be seen without her earrings, so no welcoming property is complete, without its hanging baskets. The language of flowers is universal and shows the care and character of the exhibitor.

HOW TO PLANT A 14” MOSS LINED WIRE BASKET

1. Set the basket on a firm surface, preferably at waist height, line the base with moss (or you can use a synthetic fibre) and put a small plastic bag on top of the moss to help absorb the moisture. Take two handfuls of water retaining compost and place on top of the plastic. Select four trailing plants with a mixture of colour and feed gently through the wire basket at angles..

2. Repeat the procedure with the next layer pressing in the compost and going halfway up the basket using six trailing plants. Press in the compost and line up to 25mm from the rim, for the top plants.

3. Plant an upright geranium (for a sunny position) or a bush fuchsia (for shade) in the middle of the basket to provide height, then plant three bushy plants around the centre plant, and finally, plant six trailing plants near the rim. Firm the compost well and water the basket every day in hot, dry weather.

Ann Cape