Can I make a hanging basket that never or rarely needs watering?

[Dilbertian]

On the north-west corner of my house there is an alcove formed by a bay window that stops about 2’ from the corner of the building. This alcove is virtually the first thing you see when you walk up to the house.

Hanging baskets never survive because I keep forgetting to water them. I’ve tried hanging a wind-catcher mobile there, but the corner is so sheltered that there isn’t enough wind to turn it!

Can you grow houseleeks as a hanging basket?

You could get some of those crystals which absorb water. You rehydrate them before mixing with compost before planting, and depending on weather and how many plants you put in, they'll stay damp for ages.

You can also buy a water holder that you turn upside down - looks like a wine carafe

I've tried both those things, but all that happens is that I water it even less, because I know the anti-forgetting-to-water device is there.

Yes, of course. Use artificial plants, simples!

Perhaps I should have specified that I wanted either real plants or something completely different

I've got houseleeks in a basket. They are doing very well. Worth a try.

does it have to be a hanging basket? They dry out very quickly, A large pot would dry out less quickly and you could have less ‘thirsty’ plants in there.

Watering?

If the windchime didn’t work, maybe a light catching one? It would reflect light even if no wind & ‘brighten’ that corner. And like PP suggested a pot plant on the ground with something tallish?

I’ve gorgeous sweet rocket in whites & pinks 4’ high along a wall & in a dark corner of the garden & they brighten it up no end.

and I don’t even remember planting them

I've just bought some succulents for a hanging basket, hoping it will survive over winter-a lady on gardeners word had done some last week & they looked really good!

There's an established shrub in front of the bay, and it fills the bottom of the corner. So there's nowhere to put any kind of pot.

I can't say I water it that much. Haven't needed to recently. I would if it got very dry.

solar powered automatic watering kits.

www.irrigatia.com/irrigation-kits/sol-c12