How to Make Beautiful Window Boxes Like a Pro

Beautiful boxed blooms can add some seasonal personality to the exterior of your home

Window Boxes: Installing a window box full of flowers with eye-catching shapes and vibrant colors is similar to hanging a piece of jewelry from your home’s exterior. Getting the look just right depends on the color, shape, and size of the flowers.

Plan ahead

According to Rebecca Sears, chief gardening guru for Ferry-Morse, you should approach planning your window box the same way you would approach planning for any gardening project. Consider important factors like sunlight, upkeep, space, and environment, she advises.

Make it a unique experience.

The elegance of using one kind of flower to fill a window box is breathtaking. Petunias and pansies are examples of large, vividly colored flowers that work best with the single-variety strategy, according to Sears. “Making a modern, vibrant statement with one consistent shape and bold color” To prevent empty space between the container and the blooms, make sure the flower you select doesn’t have a tall stem.

Use the tried-and-true thriller-filler-spiller strategy.

Another one of Sears’ favorites is this. It’s simple to use and intended to produce a balanced shape, claims Sears. The first step is picking “thriller” flowers, which serve as the window box’s vertical focal point. They frequently take the form of a taller, more striking flower, such as a zinnia or lavender, or an ornamental grass, such as the fountain variety.

The “fillers” come next, which give the body and fill in any empty spaces. The gardening expert suggests using a flower like a marigold or even a herb like basil or spearmint. Last but not least, leave room around the outside of the box for “spillers,” which will spill over the edges of the planter.

Sweet potato vines, an incredibly adaptable accent that can thrive in either full sun or shade, and thunbergia, which has vibrant orange, yellow, or white blossoms with dark centers, are two of my favorite trailing plants. Avoid packing the window box too tightly.

FAQ

How can flowers be preserved in a window box?

To keep your window box plants growing, fertilize them frequently. When you plant the boxes, amend the soil with a slow-release fertilizer. Use a liquid fertilizer once a week to fertilize after the pellets disappear.

What is placed in the window box’s bottom?

Stones and gravel, in addition to drilled holes, are necessary for windowbox drainage. Pea gravel or pebbles should be layered two to three inches deep in the planter’s bottom. As a result, water will be able to filter through the soil and gravel before going through the holes that were dug.

In a window box, how many plants should there be?

It depends on the size of your container and the kinds of plants you’re using. According to Sue, most plants will increase in size by three to four times by the end of the growing season. Sue advises placing 5 to 7 plants, depending on the variety you choose, in a 24″ window box.

What kind of wood works best for creating window boxes?

Two of the most popular wood types are redwood and cedar, and you can’t go wrong with either one. Due to its strength, lightness, and crack resistance, cedar is especially favoring. On the other hand, redwood has a longer lifespan and is naturally resistant to rot, but it can be more expensive.

Do I need to water my window boxes daily?

The most crucial aspect of caring for plants in window boxes is regular watering. Window boxes will require daily watering, just like most other containers. Consider installing an automatic irrigation system or placing your boxes beneath windows that can open so you can water them without leaving the house to help with this.