Finding the Right Plants for Your Window Box
Window Boxes are a fantastic way to spruce up the outside of your home by taking a drab window to the next level. If you are looking for some more information about window boxes, their uses, and the best way to find one that fits your window try checking out our other informative blog post about window boxes here.
If you have a window box, or you're simply a pro in the window box world who just wants a little more information or inspiration for what to plant in your newest box, you’re in the right spot. Window boxes in themselves are a simple way to add more character and depth to a window that might be lacking this desirable trait. Yet even the most beautiful and well made window box will appear incomplete without some type of foliage or flowering plants within its tiny garden.
Finding the right plants for your window box depends on the purpose for your window box. For some gardeners that want to add color to the window box, flowers might be the chosen plant, allowing the window to stand out with colorful blooms. Other gardeners may look to add bright foliage to contrast their window, instead planting foliage, while still other gardeners will plant herbs and small vegetables. Remember to keep in mind the location of your window box, as windows facing primarily south or west will receive heavy direct sun, and those facing north will receive larger amounts of shade. In this article we will primarily focus on the different types of flowers you can grow in your copper window box.
Petunias
Petunia’s are a window boxes best friend for a number of different reasons. First of all this flowering plant will produce blooms consistently throughout the late spring and summer months, meaning your window box will almost never not have blooms. Secondly the more sun the better, planting these in direct sunlight will make these little guys go absolutely crazy. Make sure these colorful plants are watered well and they will be an excellent addition to a window box.
Geraniums
A plant that is more delicate than the resilient and constantly flowering Petunias, geraniums are a popular choice for window boxes. These flowering plants will prefer south or west facing windows as they need sun to properly bloom. While these plants are typically seen in pink or red colors, there are a number of different colored geraniums that can be used to brighten up your window.
Fuschia
Another particular flowering plant, fuschias will produce a teardrop shaped bloom, primarily these will be purple and magenta, though other colors can be common. Fuschia plants are native to the Andes of South America, and like their place of origination they will prefer a place out of direct sunlight (though not completely shaded!) and will need to be watered consistently. These will wonderfully fill a window box and their drooping flowers can provide a wonderful effect with a window box.
Pansies
Pansies are a window planter box staple here at our house due to their vibrant colors and beautiful blooms. They do particularly well in our North Idaho climate, as wet springs bring a good mix of rain and intermittent sunlight for these delicate flowers. Pansies will want some sunshine, but be careful as too much sunshine can damage the plants and prevent blooms. If taken care of properly, these little plants will produce radiant blooms that come in whatever colors you may choose to have (Make sure to deadhead these plants to encourage continued growth through the late spring and summer).
Begonias
An underrated option, begonias are perfect both for window boxes as well as those windows which face either north or east. Like fuschia, their flowers tend to hang down, making them the perfect option for a window box, as these often won’t inspire the same effect in a typical garden bed. Sun is also not an issue as begonias thrive with morning sun and can handle complete shade. For the shady windowsill, these may be the perfect plant to add to your window garden.
Marigold
The ironman in this list of seemingly delicate flowers. Marigolds will grow in most conditions, growing best in heavy sunlight, but tolerating more indirect or partial sunshine. Despite the lack of sunshine, these plants will produce radiant orange and yellow blooms that can offset a window box and any bland color of the windowsill. These plants are also surprisingly resilient to lower levels of water as well, so you may not need to water them as often as other flowers on this list.
Verbena
Vibrant purple colors are characteristic of Verbena, which produces blooms in clumps of smaller flowers. Verbena will need larger amounts of direct sunlight, but they will not have to be watered as constantly as some other plants that require more moisture. Make sure to deadhead your verbena during the summer so the plant will continue to flower.
Impatiens
Known by other names like Touch-me-not or Jewelweed, these plants need some shade in order to properly bloom. These shady blooms will come in several colors such as red, pink, and purple. Requiring a few hours of sun everyday, direct sunlight will harm a poor impatiens bloom. Make sure that you increase watering if the plant is in more sunlight.
Daffodils
We’ll finish this list with a bright perennial flower. Daffodils create a striking yellow bloom during the summer months that is instantly recognizable to those with the slightest gardening experience. Daffodils are planted as a bulb before the season starts and they will need to be watered heavily before the bulb blooms. Plant the bulbs about 4-6 inches below the soil and about 8-12 inches apart for the best results, water and wait. These plants will prefer direct sunlight and plenty of water, to provide their regal colors.