Window boxes are a fast and easy way to update your exterior and add a pop of colour to your walls. You can plant various types of plants and flowers and impress your guests and neighbours. If you were wondering what are the best types of plants to add to your window boxes and how to properly tend to them, then read on.
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Flowers for your window boxes
There’s a wide variety of plants for window boxes that can add texture to your window box. They are delicate flowers that give your walls the fresh greenery that they need.
- Pansies – The cold weather isn’t a problem for Pansies. They can withstand low temperatures and are the perfect companion plant for violas. Growing pansies and violas in window boxes is a quite popular way to add brightness to any window box. However, you can also go for more unusual window box plants, such as black-eyed Susan vine, for example.
- Petunias – They are among the best flowers for full-sun window boxes. They are the perfect container plant that comes in an array of vibrant colours you can choose from, such as red, purple, pink, white, as well as striped species. No matter what variety you go for, this plant’s blooms will definitely make your window box show-stopping.
- Pelargoniums (Geraniums) – These are easy-to-grow and are such a popular container plant. They also bloom in various colours and make your flower boxes look fuller and vibrant. In terms of plant care, remember to deadhead your Pelargonium plants on a regular basis for proper growth.
- Tulips, yellow daffodils and hyacinths – These spring-blooming species can make your window box look like a spring bouquet. Mixed together, those plants’ bright colours will definitely take your container garden to the next level.
- Nasturtium, Verbena bonariensis and Dwarf Soapwort – If you are a fan of trailing plants, then these are a few great options to plant. The Dwarf Soapwort and the Verbena are known for their beautiful purple flowers and the Nasturtium is also very vivid with its yellow, orange and red colours. They are low-maintenance flowers that will change your home’s appearance for sure.
- Ivy, Wintercreeper and Dwarf rosemary – Looking for some evergreens to enjoy all year round? These three will be a great addition to your window boxes. The Wintercreeper leaves have multi-coloured patterns that are a pleasure to observe. It’s both full-sun and deep-shade tolerant, so you don’t have to worry about where you place it. The English Ivy is also quite adaptable and commonly used for vertical gardens.
Herbs
If you were wondering what herbs grow well in window boxes, we’ve got the answer for you. In fact, growing herbs in window boxes is not difficult at all and it’s just as fun as growing flowers or veggies. All herbs have unique flavours and having them on hand makes cooking much more exciting.
For your convenience, we’ve prepared a list of herb you can grow successfully in your planting boxes:
- Mint
- Parsley
- Chives
- Rosemary
- Basil
- Thyme
Fruits and veggies
- Strawberries, for example, can thrive in containers so you can grow them in your window boxes as well. You need to keep them well fed and watered so that their red colour compliments your walls.
- Tomatoes, chillies and lettuce are also great varieties that will thrive well in your window box. Thus, you will have access to fresh produce and greens for your salads at any time. This is an awesome advantage that can’t be beaten.
How to plant a window box
Before you proceed to plant flowers into your window boxes, there are some factors you should carefully consider.
Preparations
First, you need to measure the length of your windows and decide what design you are going for. You can either make your planter yourself or buy one of your choosing.
Whatever your choice is, your window box should be well-secured and installed on the wall outside. In fact, there aren’t too many steps one should follow to install window boxes properly. But if you are worried about attaching your containers to a brick surface and don’t want to mess it up by drilling, feel free to hire a professional who will successfully secure your boxes.
Apart from asking yourself how to plant a window box, perhaps you are also wondering what soil to choose, how deep a window box should be or what to put in the bottom of a planter for proper drainage. Well, first of all, if you want your window box flowers to grow happily and thrive, then plant them in a good-quality potting soil you can get from a specialised store. This way you won’t have to replace it every year.
Secondly, pick a container that has drainage holes and then add a layer of broken terracotta pots to prevent water lodging.
After that, add a layer of compost to feed the soil as well as gravel to allow the water to drain easily. You can add another layer of compost to your container, too. All that is left to do now is to plant the flowers of your choice.
Planting
- Carefully take your plants and flowers out of their pots. Then place them into your window box container along with their soil. Make sure you don’t hurt their roots while doing so.
- Don’t put your window box flowers too close together as this will create an ideal atmosphere for plant diseases to spread.
- Apply some more compost between the plants to fill the gaps, as soon as you are done planting. Press the compost down using your fingers.
- Water once everything is in the window box. Some people prefer to do so before planting, but you can do it afterwards, too.
This is how easy it is to plant a window box. It’s not necessary to commit to just one or a few greeneries. You can change them and make new combinations. Though, there’s a catch…
Tips for combining window box plants
Combining various plants in the same pot can result in a great-looking window box project. However, the growing conditions of all the plants should be taken into consideration. Some plants need frequent watering, others prefer less water. Overwatering or underwatering plants may actually lead to killing one or several of them.
Sunlight exposure is also another major factor to consider. Try not to mix sun-loving varieties with shade-loving window box flowers, it’s clear why. It’s also essential to pay attention to the direction your window is facing. If it gets plenty of sunlight daily, then sun-loving plants will do just fine for you. Yet, you can go for plants for window boxes in shade if your window doesn’t get enough bright light during the day.
So to sum it all up, to grow healthy plants in the same window box, the varieties you plant should all have the same or pretty similar requirements in terms of watering, sun exposure and soil. Luckily, all you need are the names of the plants you have in mind and a little time to research their growing preferences. The necessary information can be easily found online or by asking at the local plants’ store.
Care
Once your new window boxes are planted, all that’s left is to take care of them and enjoy them. Speaking of care, there are a few simple but important things to do that some people may miss.
- Don’t forget to fertilise your plants – This way you will provide your flowers with the necessary nutrients to grow well. First, we’d recommend that you start with a slow-release fertiliser. After that, you can start applying liquid fertiliser regularly to ensure your plants get the minerals and nutrients they need.
- Water your window boxes often – Soil tends to dry out quite fast, especially if your window boxes are constantly at full sun. So try to keep the soil moist by watering frequently. This is an absolute must-do task to make sure your window boxes get really impressive. Otherwise, the plants will dry out and die.
Do you need help installing and planting window boxes?
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Window boxes bring walls back to life with their vibrant-coloured flowers. They can easily increase your property’s curb appeal and make a great addition to your overall landscape. No matter what type of plants you choose to go for, give them time to thrive and take care of them regularly.
If you found this article helpful, we’ll be glad to let us know. Rate it or leave a comment below. Feel free to share our article with your friends and family on social media to let them know how amazing window boxes can look!
Image Source: robertcrum | depositphotos.com
This is such a helpful guide. Window boxes can look so quaint and cottage-esque and also are a great way to make the most of limited space!
The idea that surprised me is to grow herbs in a window box. I have never thought about it because I always put there some colourful flowers. As a tradition, because my mother always did that, in my window boxes I have petunias. Each year I order different varieties of them and this time I decided to try one with ruffled flowers. I bought a pack of seeds from https://gardenseedsmarket.com/petunia-with-ruffled-flowers-variety-mix.html and I was confused if I will manage to grow them from seeds because previously I bought seedlings. All in all, with the set of information I did it and now I enjoy them blooming. Next year I have to try growing there herbs. Rosemary and basil are my favourite ones so for sure I will be growing them there.
Like Jolie said, I never thought to grow herbs in window boxes! Not only do the window boxes give you that special look to the house, but you’ve then got herbs to enjoy, as well! 🙂
I really enjoyed reading your blog. Window boxes are a great way to extend your garden and landscape! In fact, I think they can even be called Yard Art! They really add another dimension to your yard and home. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for the helpful article. I have also two window Box plants.It is really fresh to me in the morning.
I love to see pansies (especially yellow ones) smiling out at me from a window box. And when we downsized to this little house we finally had sun. But it is the south side, providing heaping helpings of baked goods. And my poor pansies could not bear the onslaught. Most became gangly. Then shriveled and died. I watered daily, but obviously not enough. Despite prep as you advise, perhaps planting pansies in boxes in the sun is not such a good idea? Any other hopeful hints? Thanks.
Balconies with plants are always attactive. Window boxes are best and easy way to make your balcony more attractive
This is needful!! Thanks for posting such useful tips