The white stiletto

The hanging basket is the white stiletto of gardening, according to this piece in the Western Mail. For non-British readers who might not grasp the meaning of this colloquialism, the phrase "white stiletto" suggests that something is a bit common, cheap and nasty.

I only possess one hanging basket - a conical one fitted out in natural looking materials, which is currently adorned with primoses, plain green ivy and a very small variegated eunoymus, as you can see (pic now added). I think it looks rather jolly without making my house look like a beer garden.

I'm agnostic on the issue. Often it's the number and planting style that give hanging baskets their reputation as suffering from a bit of a taste bypass: think pub exterior festooned with garish petunias, aka the Hanging Baskets of the Red Lion.

Anyone willing to leap to the defence of the hanging basket?

Comments

[Gabrielle Adams]

I will, but then I live in the US, where bars (pubs) don't have hanging flower baskets, but nearly every house and apartment has one or two (or more!)I think the equvalent here, our "white stiletto" would be plastic lawn decorations... think pink flamingos, garden gnomes, deer complete with a pair of fawns, fairies, mushrooms, etc. Some people have whole menageries of the plastic stuff. I guess the point is, grow what you like, decorate the gardens how you like, and ignore what reporters say. They probably don't even garden!

[Patrick]

Hanging baskets - have been known to provide safe nesting for ducks!
Patrick

[charles]

first - nice use of the word "festoon"... I think hanging baskets look garish when grouped together, especially on ground level. in moderation, especially in city gardens that are "hanging" above street level to begin with, i will say that i'm a believer :)

[Emma]

I quite like hanging baskets especially when they contain edible goodies, and what a great idea to suspend edible delights such as tomatoes and strawberries out of the reach of little fingers?