A lot of flowering hanging baskets are planted with annuals, and you simply let them die, and replant next spring. If you want to try for winter flowers, such as winter flowering Pansies, those will probably need some protection during extra frosty weather, at least to keep the soil from freezing. With other plants, such as fuchsias or begonias, the treatment will depend on exactly which plant it is.

In most of the UK hanging baskets are simply taken down in autumn, emptied and put away to be used again the following spring once all danger of frost is past.

Not so in the South, Moon Grower - I plant up several every autumn with winter stuff. Most public houses have winter planted troughs and baskets too, but if we had a winter like last year's, any baskets in very exposed positions would be at risk of freezing solid.

I did say 'most' of the UK Bamboo... as Reda doesn't say where she lives.

My winter baskets came through the thick covering of snow on them OK.

As I'm sure you know, Drc, a covering of snow isn't a problem, in fact, it insulates them quite a bit - the problem is if the compost freezes, but to be honest, a hanging basket hanging from a house is less likely to freeze anyway because its close to the walls.

Mine certainly never freeze Bamboo.