Creating a beautiful and eye-catching window box in the fall can be a great way to bring some colour and texture to your home. You can fill your window box with a variety of annuals and perennials for a stunning seasonal display.
Some of the best plants to include in your fall window box are Black-eyed Susan, Ornamental Kale, Pansies, Asters, Chrysanthemums and Sedum. Install summer plants such as Petunias, Fuchsia, and Zinnia throughout the summer, and replace them with the fall varieties as summer ends.
If you’re in a colder climate, you can consider plants that are hardy such as hostas, coral bells, and heuchera that will remain strong through winter and early spring. Adding small evergreen shrubs such as Boxwood, and Ornamental Grasses can also bring great texture and depth to your fall window boxes.
Planting trailing ivy and sweet potato vine around the edges can provide a nice balance to the plants and can give you a gorgeous display from inside the room and from outside. Finally, add additional pieces such as pumpkins, gourds, pine-cones, and mums for a beautiful, seasonal fall window box display.
What can I plant in a planter box for winter?
One of the great things about planters is that you can create a beautiful winter display right outside your home. For colder climates, there are many winter plants that will thrive in colder temperatures and look lovely in a winter container.
Some of the best plants to plant in planters for winter include pansies, violas, cyclamen, and thyme. These cool-season annuals produce vibrant flowers and foliage and can survive temperatures down to 20 degrees Fahrenheit.
Evergreens like daphne, yew, and boxwood can also bring color and texture to your winter planter. For added winter interest, you can mix in perennials like evergreen ferns, coral bells, coralberry, or heather.
For added texture, add some ornamental grasses like Japanese painted ferns or Japanese forest grasses. To brighten up the winter containers, you could include some silver-leaved plants like sage, artemisia, Russian sage, lambs’ ears, and stonecrop.
If you are looking for beautiful winter flowering plants, try winter-blooming clematis and hellebores. Finally, you could add some winter-colored accessories like pinecones, winter berries, branches, and raffia.
With some creative planning, a winter planter filled with these winter-loving plants can create a stunning display outside your home, no matter where you live.
What do you put in the bottom of a window flower box?
When it comes to adding material to the bottom of a window flower box, there are a few key options. One option is to put drainage material at the bottom such as clay pellets or small stones. This ensures that the excess water will drain away from the roots of the plants.
Additionally, you can add a layer of soil to the bottom of the box to give some more weight and stability. If you want more control over the drainage, you can incorporate a drainage layer by using a combination of rocks, small pebbles, and soil.
Alternatively, you could use a more lightweight material, like sphagnum moss, that will help keep the soil in the box and create additional drainage. Lastly, for more of an aesthetic appeal, you can layer the bottom of the box with colorful stones or gravel.
Should I put anything in the bottom of my planter?
When it comes to deciding whether or not to put anything in the bottom of your planter, it ultimately depends on your preference and the type of plant you are growing. Generally, having something in the bottom of the planter can provide better drainage, reduce moisture buildup, and provide more stability for your plant.
For example, if you are dealing with clay or ceramic pots, you can use gravel or stones to help with water drainage. You can also pop in a layer of plastic or garden matting to help keep the soil from seeping through the pot.
For plastic pots, or hanging baskets, it may be helpful to include a few broken pieces of terracotta clay pots or even empty yogurt containers to help with drainage.
Whichever route you take, make sure to use something that is not degrading and isn’t made with materials that may contain metals like copper, zinc, and lead. Also, if you are using organic materials such as moss, coco coir, sphagnum peat, or pine bark, make sure that these materials are fully composted and not able to harbour insects or pathogens.
If you are unsure, it might be best to consult with a local garden centre or a gardening expert so that you can get the best advice for your particular situation.
How many plants should be in a window box?
The number of plants you should have in a window box will depend on the size and the type of plants you’re planting. Generally, for small plants like succulents, you will want to plant them 12-15 inches apart.
If you are planting a larger window box with plants like flowers, herbs, and shrubs, then you’ll want to leave at least 20 to 24 inches between each plant. This will ensure that the plants have enough room to grow and don’t overcrowd each other.
If your window box is narrow, you may need to stick to smaller plants like succulents and herbs. If your window box is very large, then you can experiment with larger plants such as flowers and shrubs.
Finally, make sure to pick plants that will do well in your climate and get enough water and sunlight.
What kind of soil should I use in window boxes?
When selecting soil for your window boxes, you should choose a form that drains well and offers plenty of nutrients to your plants. Generally, the best soil for window boxes should be lightweight and airy, such as a soil mix of peat moss and compost.
Mixture of 50/50 of soil, compost, and course sand creates the perfect environment for success. You should also ensure the soil is pH balanced to your plants’ needs. Also, to help the soil stay loose you can add some organic matter, such as vermiculite or perlite.
To get the best performance from your window box, fertilize regularly (at least once a month) and water thoroughly. A combination of peat moss, slow-release fertilizer, and rock dust in the soil can also be beneficial.
It is important to remember that despite the situation with window boxes, most plants also prefer to have some organic material, such as compost, in their soil in order to thrive.
Do window boxes need drainage?
Yes, window boxes do need drainage. Without it, the plants in window boxes can easily become waterlogged, causing root rot and other serious issues for the plants. Most window boxes have holes in the bottom so that any excess water can drain out, allowing the soil to remain at a proper moisture level.
If your window box does not have drainage holes, you can use a drill to make some. Make sure the drill bit is small enough so that it doesn’t create large holes that will let soil slip through. Drainage rocks can be added to the bottom of the box to provide additional drainage.
Placing window boxes on bricks, stone pavers, or cinderblocks can also provide some space between the container and the ground, allowing any excess water to easily drain away.
How do I keep my window box from drying out?
To keep your window box from drying out, you should ensure that it is placed in an area that has adequate sunlight or shade to protect the plants from too much sun exposure. Additionally, you should always water the plants when necessary, using an appropriate amount of water for the size and type of plants in the window box.
If the soil in the window box begins to dry out quickly, use a soil moisture meter to determine how the soil is retaining water, and consider adding organic matter such as compost or mulch to help retain more moisture.
Additionally, you may want to consider adding a drip irrigation system, which will help to ensure that the plants in your window box easily receive enough water as needed.
What do I need to make a Christmas planter?
To make a Christmas planter, you will need a few basic supplies. First, you’ll need a flower pot or container. Plastic or clay are both great options. Next, you’ll need a liner – this will help keep the soil and moisture in the pot.
In terms of soil, you’ll need something that drains well. You can use a combination of peat moss, soil, and perlite. You’ll also want to add some fertilizer so that your plants can grow and be healthy.
Fertilizers specifically designed for flowering plants are ideal for Christmas planters!.
Lastly, you’ll need the actual plants and flowers for your planter. Choose plants that thrive in the winter months. For example, pansies and petunias look gorgeous when contrasted against the white of winter.
Consider adding evergreen plants and fragrant flowers like Christmas rose and cyclamen for a festive look. Once you’ve chosen your plants, simply place them in the container and add some decorations like festive ribbons and glitter for a festive look.
And that’s all you need to create your very own Christmas planter!