I originally wanted to title this with the words ‘Vesuvian value’ but then found I had wrongly assumed its meaning…apparently ‘vesuvian’ actually means ‘marked by violent outbursts’ or, (n) ‘a slow-burning match, often used to light cigars’, neither of which mean what I WANT it to mean. Oh well… on with the thing!

Hanging baskets can be a bit marmite I know, and nobody wants to alienate marmite haters do they (even though there is clearly something very wrong with them), so this is an ode to all the delicious over-flowing plants; the tumblers; the avalanche wannabes; the best plants, in short, for perfect pots and outdoor chandeliers.

This year I am growing tumbling tomatoes in my one hanging basket, and very lovely they are too. Here though, are some non-edible ideas:

First and foremost will always be Calibrachoa. The Million Bells series is my absolute favourite, with smallish flowers in plenty of retina-burning shades that tumble gorgeously without being garish.

Remember to put your indulgent hat on with these plants. They have soft, sappy growth which isn’t supposed to last forever and should be treated accordingly. Lots of water, lots of fertiliser (I use liquid tomato food), along with water-retaining granules to keep the compost from drying out. In short, they should want for nothing.

Regal pelargoniums are another absolute delight, not only to you but also the bees if you stick to single ones. They’re hugely forgiving on the watering stakes too, making them the perfect choice for the ever-so-slightly-forgetful.

For dainty clouds look no further than lobelia or bacopa. Again, treat them well and you’ll get the poufy mound vibe with good trailing too.

Lastly for something rather less sudden, order some Glechoma hederacea variagata (commonly known as trailing nepeta) – It’s a stunning, low maintenance trailing beauty and unlike its floral counterparts above, doesn’t need profusion to look good.