AUTUMN HANGING BASKETS: Hanging baskets are a great way to inject colour and create diversion into the garden, so be sure to make use of their decorative potential in autumn and winter.

First choose a good-looking basket.

It's more likely to remain visible than summer baskets which are soon covered by vigorous plant growth.

Use water-retaining gel in autumn baskets.

When it comes to choosing plants, we've found violas to be more reliable than pansies, but its best not to rely too much on flowers as these may be sparsely produced in poor weather.

Instead look for bright berries such as winter cherry and gaultheria or the long-lived, colourful buds of heathers and skimmias.

Foliage can contribute a wide variety of shapes and colours.

Variegated ivies are invaluable, but periwinkle is a good alternative evergreen trailer - the variety 'Illumination' is particularly bright - or try the silvery lamium 'Hermann's Pride'.

Heucheras are available in many shades from purple to silver, coloured sage is attractive and useful, and ornamental cabbages and kales provide colour as rich as any flowers.

Sedges and grasses can contribute vibrant variegation, or subtle blues and bronzes.

Fill the basket generously as plants won't grow much in the winter months.

Position the planted basket in a sunny spot, and don't forget to water.

Jobs of the week:

* Plant hardy spring bedding such as forget-me-nots, ornamental kale, primulas, polyanthus, sweet williams, violas and wallflowers

* Cut faded flower spikes off summer-flowering heathers

* Plant spring cabbages, overwintering onion sets and garlic

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