Hanging baskets are a fundamental part of an English garden but they have their history set in the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. They are easy to maintain and can add color and life to any setting.
The history of hanging baskets.
The Hanging Gardens of Babylon are believed by many to be the inspiration behind the modern basket. This Wonder of the Ancient World supposedly created suspended gardens, essentially making the entire garden a series of very large hanging baskets. Although the existence of the gardens of Babylon is unknown, they are supposedly the inspiration for the modern basket.
Hanging baskets today.
Today, hanging baskets can be found throughout the UK and are becoming popular in the rest of the world. They are used to add a touch of plant life where it would otherwise be impossible. Fantastic examples of slippers can be seen outside pubs in the UK. Space around pubs can be limited, some have no land in front, just lead onto the road. The baskets allow for greenery where it would otherwise be impossible to have it.
Types of slippers.
There are 2 main types of baskets: the most common is a metal design, coated in paint or plastic to protect it from ground moisture and weather. This is covered and filled with soil and then flower bed plants are added which produce bright little flowers.
The other type of baskets appears upside down, with flowers growing at the bottom and growing upwards, covering the basket entirely.
Both types can be combined to give the appearance of a ball of flowers.
Hanging baskets make great gifts because, unlike a “bouquet of flowers,” they won’t die and won’t take up a lot of space. However, there is some controversy towards them, as they do not retain water well and need more water than a pot of a similar size. This makes it more expensive for the environment. Regular, planned watering and the right types of flowers can overcome this problem.
