In this section we provide some trivia, interesting facts and fun on the subject of hanging baskets.
What is history of the hanging basket?
Hanging Baskets have a history going back thousands of years to the Hanging Gardens of Babylon.
The Greek historians, Strabo and Philo, recorded some of the details of this garden which was one of the wonders of the world !
"The Hanging Garden has plants cultivated above ground level, and the roots of the trees are embedded in an upper terrace rather than in the earth. The whole mass is supported on stone columns... Streams of water emerging from elevated sources flow down sloping channels... These waters irrigate the whole garden saturating the roots of plants and keeping the whole area moist. Hence the grass is permanently green and the leaves of trees grow firmly attached to supple branches... This is a work of art of royal luxury and its most striking feature is that the labor of cultivation is suspended above the heads of the spectators."
What is the biggest hanging basket ever made?
There have been a number of record breaking attempts to grow the biggest ever hanging basket. One of the record holders was the Hotel Indigo in Paddington, London. In January 2009, this new boutique hotel set the record for growing the "Largest Hanging Basket" in the world. The basket featured over 100 different plants and weighed in at over 250 kilos. It took a team of workman over 8 hours to build and was 20 feet wide and 10 feet tall. It was hung 25 feet from the ground on the front of the hotel to celebrate its opening. Check out the video to see how they did it ! Read more about it at World Records Academy
Should hanging baskets be banned ?
The government's HSE website provides the following guidance - and amusing cartoon - to anyone concerned about the health and safety implications of hanging baskets. The HSE are keen to fight the myth that hanging baskets are banned in the UK following a number of stories about hanging baskets being removed by over zealous councils and housing associations.
The mythHanging baskets are being banned under health and safety regulations
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The realityBack in 2004 a town did briefly take down its hanging baskets over fears that old lamp posts would collapse. This was an overly-cautious reaction to a low risk. However, after quick checks the hanging baskets were replaced and have been on lamp posts in the town every year since. Despite this, the story continues to be repeated and the danger is someone will believe it is a genuine requirement and follow suit. |
