Window Box Gardening: Tips for Great-looking Plantings if You Don’t Have a Green Thumb

Window box gardening is a form of container gardening, and it’s as varied as the plants and flowers you choose to put in them.

According to the Mississippi State University’s Office of Agricultural Communications, almost 50 percent of American households say they do some form of container gardening, and the practice is helping to revive the allure of window boxes. Many a weekend gardener notes the sheer magnificence of a well done window box as the reason he chooses this type of gardening.

Window Box Gardening
Window Box Gardening

As much as for the simple enjoyment of festive, lush, and cascading plants and flowers, window boxes go a long way in enhancing curb appeal and creating a “finished” look to the home.

Part of the fun of creating window boxes is in the selection of planting box you will use — this is the foundation for the look you want to create. Take into consideration the architectural design of your home, its exterior coloring and accents, and choose boxes that fit those characteristics. You’ll find choices of:

  • plain wooden boxes
  • metal boxes, including copper
  • fancy scrollwork designs
  • fiberglass and vinyl
  • inexpensive plastic
  • self-watering boxes

Many prefabricated boxes come with hardware for mounting. It’s customary to mount the box to the home’s exterior for proper support, rather than to a windowsill, as plants will become heavier as they grow. This is important especially in the case of larger boxes or containers.

self-watering flower box
self-watering flower box

If you want the look that window boxes bring to the home, but don’t have the desire to mount boxes, here are three quick and easy options:

  1. Decorative plant stand: place a freestanding, decorative plant box outside in front of a prominent window. Tip: for this idea to look its best, you’ll want to use a plant stand equal in length to the window, or pretty close. Buy plants in terra cotta pots and align them the length of the box; this makes for easy clean up when the growing season is over, or if you want to switch out plants for a quick redo of the box.
    Decorative plant stand:
    Decorative plant stand:
  2. Bird bath: choose a fanciful design—go oversize to really draw attention. Select several well-matched plants and group them in the center of the birdbath. For the best effect choose a mixture of flowers and trailing plants that will cascade as they grow. You may choose to pot the plants in a low planting saucer that has a diameter slightly smaller than the bird bath. This idea is also great for small herb gardens.
    Bird bath:
    Bird bath:
  3. Window ledge: for a creative, no-fuss alternative to planting, use miniature, potted faux topiaries in the shape small trees, like Boxwood or Needlepoint Ivy (about 16 inches tall). For color use potted rose topiary trees—they look beautiful lined up along a window ledge.
    Window ledge flower box
    Window ledge flower box

Helpful Tips:

  • Whether natural flowers or faux, keep the look of your boxes and containers uniform if you are using multiples. Choose the same colors and varietals for each box so the look of your home is uniform.
Same color flower box
Same color flower box
  • With real plants, use a liner in the box to prolong its use; make sure there are drainage holes in the bottom of the box (or drill them yourself) and in the liner.
Real plant flower box
Real plant flower box
  • Stagger your plants; avoid planting or displaying in exact rows for greatest impact and show.
Don't plant boringly
Don’t plant boringly
  • Choose real plants based on the hours of daylight/shade the box will receive; water accordingly and add slow-release fertilizer to keep plants vibrant.

Best Window Box Gardening flowers

  1. Panacea Products Iron 30-inch Windows flower box

[amazonjs asin=”B000ZOM7YS” locale=”US” title=”Panacea Products Flat Iron Series 30-inch (30″) Window/Deck Planter, Black”]

Sturdy and natural looking windows flower box. It’s made from steel and inside from coco fiber.

Panacea Products Flat Iron Series 30-inch
Panacea Products Flat Iron Series 30-inch

2. Panacea Products Cameo Series 30-Inch Window/Deck Planter

[amazonjs asin=”B0026RH59Y” locale=”US” title=”Panacea Products Cameo Series 30-Inch Window/Deck Planter, Cameo Brwn”]

Coco liner keeps soil tidy and powder coated frame for more durability makes this flower planter awesome! Made from steel.

Panacea Products Cameo Series 30-Inch Window/Deck Planter,
Panacea Products Cameo Series 30-Inch Window/Deck Planter

3. Mayne Fairfield 5822B Window Box Planter

[amazonjs asin=”B002YVL05C” locale=”US” title=”Mayne Fairfield 5822B Window Box Planter, 3-Foot, Black”]
Mayne Fairfield 5822B Window Box Planter, 3-Foot, Black
Mayne Fairfield 5822B Window Box Planter, 3-Foot, Black

4. CYS Wood Rectangle Window Box Wood Planters with Removable Zinc Liner

[amazonjs asin=”B01CIYNCSC” locale=”US” title=”CYS Wood Rectangle Window Box Wood Planters with Removable Zinc Liner (Pack of 1)”]
CYS Wood Rectangle Window Box Wood Planters with Removable Zinc Liner
CYS Wood Rectangle Window Box Wood Planters with Removable Zinc Liner

 

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