In addition to plants, there are other decorative items you can put in your window boxes to enhance their beauty. These include sculptures and statues, artificial flowers and greenery, mini birdbaths and feeders, pieces of driftwood or seashells, and even small lamps.
If you want to take it up a notch, you could add a stylish hurricane lantern, or a collection of your favorite stones and shells. If you want to make the window box incredibly unique, you could even use fabric to create drapery around or inside the box.
How do you dress a window box?
Dressing a window box can be a fun and creative way to add a splash of color to your home’s exterior. When dressing your window box, you need to consider what type of plants will best suit the location, soil, weather, and style of your home.
For example, if your window box gets direct sunlight, then you need plants that can tolerate the additional heat. If your window box is in a shaded area, then you may want to look for plants that can tolerate lower light levels.
Once you’ve chosen the plants, you’ll need to prepare the soil in the window box. Ideally, you should use a well-draining soil that’s mixed with an organic fertilizer. Adding mulch on top of the soil can help keep the soil moist, and it will also ensure your plants look their best during the growing season.
When it comes to planting, you should start with the taller, cascading plants or trailing vines first. Place each plant in a hole, making sure the top of the root ball is level with the soil’s surface.
After all of your plants are in the ground, you can use a trowel to give them extra space by breaking up clumps of soil around the roots and moving the soil until it encircles the plant.
Once your plants are securely in the ground, you can add some contrasting shapes and textures with elements like rocks, driftwood, iron sculptures, seashells, and even outdoor decorations. As a final touch, cover the soil with a layer of mulch to complete the look and help your plants retain moisture and stay healthy all season long.
How many flowers do I need for a window box?
The amount of flowers you need for a window box varies depending on the size of the box. Generally, most window boxes will accommodate four to five trailing plants, such as petunias or geraniums, plus several taller plants, such as violas, foxgloves or snapdragons.
If the box is quite long, you might be able to fit one or two more. If the box is very wide, consider using a mix of smaller trailing plants and one or two tall, showy ones. For example, you could use four or five pansies around the sides, one or two tall dahlias in the middle, and several trailing lobelias.
As a general rule of thumb, about five plants should be enough for most window boxes.
How do you arrange flowers in a planter box?
Arranging flowers in a planter box is a great way to add a bit of beauty and color to any outdoor area. The first step is to determine the size and shape of the planter box. Long, narrow planter boxes look best when filled with flowers and greenery that are arranged in a diagonal pattern.
Complimentary colors and textures should be cascaded together to create a visually pleasing composition.
Once you’ve determined the size and shape of the planter box, it’s time to begin planting. First, fill the bottom of the planter box with potting soil or compost. Choose taller plants for the center of the planter box that will act as an anchor for the display.
Surround the taller plants with a mixture of complementary and contrasting varieties of flowering plants.
Once all of the larger flowers and plants are in place, add some small accent plants, such as ivy or groundcover, to fill in any gaps. When selecting flowers and plants, choose varieties that require similar light and water requirements.
Finally, when all of the plants are in the planter box, top off the soil with a thin layer of mulch and give the entire planter box a good watering. Enjoy the lovely display of flowers and plants and make sure to keep up with regular maintenance and watering.
Do window boxes need drainage?
Yes, window boxes do need drainage in order to ensure that the plants within them do not become waterlogged. Without proper drainage, water can become stagnant in the window box, making it difficult for oxygen to circulate and providing the perfect environment for fungal diseases to spread.
To ensure proper drainage, most window boxes come with pre-drilled drainage holes in the base. If the window box does not have such pre-drilled holes, then it is advisable to drill in the holes yourself.
To further aid drainage in the window box, incorporate a layer of pebbles, rocks or gravel at the base of the container, above the drainage holes. This will help to create air pockets, allowing for additional oxygen for the roots of plants and also helping to prevent the soil from flooding or becoming too soggy.
How do you hang a flower box without drilling?
Hanging a flower box without drilling is possible if you use a window box anchor. This tool is essentially a metal bracket that comes with a hook or suction cup that attaches to the window pane without the need for drilling.
The flower box sits in the bracket and can be adjusted to fit securely. Begin by affixing the window box anchors according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Place the flower box onto the brackets and ensure it is secure before tightening the screws.
For added security, you may want to add some bracing to stabilize the flower box, as well as some metal clips to ensure it doesn’t slide off. Be sure to check the flower box regularly to ensure it remains secured.
What is a good filler for window boxes?
Window boxes are a great way to bring a touch of nature to the exterior of your home. When it comes to finding a good filler for your window box, the most popular choices are typically either live plants or artificial flowers.
Both options offer a variety of benefits in terms of adding beauty and interest to your window boxes.
Live plants are a versatile choice when it comes to window box fillers. Depending on your windows’ location and the amount of sunlight they receive. Some popular choices for sunny window boxes include petunias, nasturtiums, and snapdragons.
For shadier window boxes, consider impatiens, ferns, and hostas. You can also consider trailing plants that will cascade down the sides of your window boxes, such as ivy or sweet potato vine. Whichever plants you choose, be sure to provide the appropriate amount of sunlight and water for best results.
If live plants aren’t an option for your window boxes, artificial flowers are a great choice. You can find artificial blooms in many varieties and colors to create the perfect look for your home’s exterior.
They are also much more durable than live plants and require less maintenance. Artificial flowers also offer the flexibility to be switched out for different blooms throughout the year, for different seasons and events.
Whichever filler you choose for your window boxes, be sure to keep it well-maintained and pruned for the best overall look. With plants, make sure to water them regularly and fertilize them as needed.
For artificial flowers, you may need to occasionally dust the blooms and check on the overall structure and stability of the plants. With a little bit of effort, you can keep your window boxes looking beautiful all year round.
What are those plant boxes called?
Those plant boxes are typically called planters or flower pots. They can come in a variety of shapes, sizes and colors, and are generally made of plastic, clay, or metal. The size will depend on the type of plant, but generally, the bigger the plant, the larger the planter should be.
Plant boxes are an easy way to contain and display plants, and are widely used both indoors and outdoors. Many planters come with a drainage feature, which helps to ensure that plants have proper drainage and stay healthy.
What makes a good planter box?
A good planter box is one that is durable, attractive, and functional. Durability means that the planter box should be made from strong materials such as metal, plastic, or treated wood so that it can withstand harsh temperatures, exposure to rain and snow, and other elements.
It should also be able to support the weight of the plants and soil it must hold. Attractiveness is also important since a planter box should enhance the living space it occupies. This can include unique shapes, vibrant colors, and other features that make it visually appealing.
Finally, it should be functional, meaning it should hold enough soil and plants to create a flourishing garden or display of plants. It should have adequate drainage and be the right size to match the space it is intended for.
All of these factors combined make a planter box that is both good looking and long-lasting.
What do you put in planter boxes in the winter?
In the winter, planter boxes can look great with an array of colorful seasonal plants, branches, and evergreens to bring texture and winter color to your yard. Depending on your climate and hardiness zone, evergreens like dwarf Alberta spruce, yew, boxwood, holly, junipers, arborvitae, and cypress can provide green throughout the winter months when other plants have lost their foliage.
Other great winter flowers include pansies, violas, ornamental kale, snowdrops, heaths, and heathers. If you want to get creative, you can add seasonal decorations like evergreen branches, pinecones, acorns, nuts, and berries to fill up planter boxes.
You can even use wood fiber mulch, pebbles, or frosted glass pieces around the perimeter to give them a more complete and festive look. Finally, you can make sure your planter boxes are ready for winter with a good layer of mulch to protect the roots of your plants.