If you want to bring a touch of nature to your window box, there are several options that you have to choose from. These include Petunias, Trailing Nasturtiums, Lantana, Geraniums, and English Ivy.
Petunias
There are many things to look for in petunias for window boxes. Aside from the usual suspects like weeds and bugs, it’s the weather that counts. If you’re lucky, you may see your window box bursting with blossoms in late spring and early summer. To keep them blooming for as long as possible, you’ll want to give them the right blend of fertilizers, water and sunshine. Petunias aren’t exactly a difficult plant to cultivate. But they do require a bit of TLC, so you might as well prepare for the impending storm with some tips and tricks.
A petunia on your window sill is a good idea if you have the space and a little patience. These showy flowers require a tad more care and feeding than their wild counterparts, but they’ll be well worth it in the end. They can reach a whopping 12 inches or so when they’re in bloom. It’s best to give them a few weeks to adjust, but the results will be worth it.
If you’re in the market for a new addition to your window vignette, consider a timber box, which should match your home’s style. The trick is to keep your window sill cool enough for the plants, but not too hot for the heath of your pets.
Geraniums
Whether you’re looking to spruce up the exterior of your home or add a pop of color to your living room, window boxes are a great way to bring flowery fragrances indoors. They require little maintenance and don’t cost a lot of money.
Geraniums are perfect plants for containers. These perennials grow best in areas with mild temperatures and a few hours of sunlight each day. To help your plants grow, make sure to plant them in a large container with a hole in the bottom to allow water to drain.
Geraniums come in a variety of colors. If you’re looking to add color to your window box, consider a few soft pink geraniums. The cool, refreshing look will match the other colors in the arrangement perfectly.
Geraniums are easy to care for. You’ll need to water them about once a week. If the weather is especially hot, you may need to water them twice a week. In addition, you should pinch off the spent flowers to encourage the plants to produce more.
Geraniums are winter hardy in USDA Zones 9-11. You can move your potted plants indoors during the cold months. This will help your plants keep from becoming leggy and dried out.
Geraniums are easily propagated from cuttings. When planting your geraniums, cut back one-third of the stems to promote growth. Keep the plant at least five inches apart.
Geraniums are available in a variety of colors, shapes, and sizes. They’re a favorite plant to accent fine-textured foliage and spiky plants.
Trailing Nasturtiums
Trailing Nasturtiums can be trained to cascade down a wall or window box, or as groundcover. They are easy to grow and can be used in hanging baskets and window boxes. They are great for gardens, pots, and balconies.
Trailing Nasturtiums for window boxes are a perfect addition to your patio or backyard. Their long-spurred flowers are red, orange, or yellow. They bloom from mid-spring to fall. You can find nasturtiums in trailing, bush, and mound varieties. Some of these plants are also edible.
When planting nasturtiums, remember that they like a moist soil. If your soil is not very good, you might want to add organic fertilizer. The seeds can be soaked overnight to improve germination. Depending on the variety, nasturtiums can reach about one foot in length.
Nasturtiums are known for their edible leaves and flowers, which are red or yellow. Besides adding color to your garden, they attract bees and other beneficial insects. While they aren’t the most attractive plants, they do make a nice addition to your yard.
Another interesting aspect of nasturtiums is their spicy flavor. They add a kick to salads and other dishes. They aren’t overpowering, but they have a peppery taste, especially in hot weather.
Nasturtiums are a favorite of hummingbirds, and they’re very popular with cut-flower gardeners. Because they’re carefree and easy to care for, they’re a welcome addition to any backyard.
Trailing and mounding Nasturtiums for window boxes can be found at your local nursery. If you want to try growing your own, check out seed catalogs. There are several different types to choose from, including the Empress of India, which has single crimson-red flowers.
English Ivy
If you are looking for a decorative plant for your window box, consider English Ivy. These plants are easy to grow and they come in three different sizes. They are also very versatile, as they can climb, spread, and cling to nearly anything.
The best time to plant English ivy is in the spring. This will allow your plant to develop rootlets, which help it to cling to walls and fences.
It is important to make sure your soil is well-drained. Too much moisture in the soil will cause root rot and leave the leaves brown.
When you are planting English ivy in containers, make sure to check the soil for dryness. Water your plant regularly, but do not over-water. Overwatering will cause fungal root rot, which will lead to fading of the foliage.
In order to maintain humidity in your window box, you can place a pebble bowl in the center of the container. You can also use a humidifier to increase the level of humidity.
In the early stages of growth, the plant will need to be fertilized once a month. A liquid fertilizer will do. However, it is recommended that you avoid using fertilizers on outdoor English ivy.
To prevent scale insect pests, apply neem oil on the leaves. This will kill aphids and spider mites.
When a cutting is taken, dip it in a rooting hormone before placing it in the container. New growth will sprout in about six to eight weeks.
Thyme
Thyme plants are perfect for window boxes. They have a distinctive lemony scent and are easy to grow. Their tiny leaves are packed with flavor. In addition, they are also bee-friendly and can be used to make a showy carpet in your garden.
You can buy thyme plants in pots or on the internet. Thyme is a plant that is drought-resistant. Unlike other herbs, it doesn’t require a lot of watering. It does, however, need plenty of light. A good rule of thumb is 5-6 hours of sunlight per day.
If you plan to use thyme for cooking, you should replace the plant every three years. Thyme is easily propagated by seeds or cuttings. To do so, simply remove the lower leaves from the plant and insert the cut end into a pot of soil. Place the pot in a sunny location and keep the soil well-drained.
Thyme grows best in a sunny, sheltered spot. However, it will tolerate shady locations. For this reason, you can plant the herb in the front or the edge of your window box.
When growing thyme, it’s a good idea to keep the plant in a large pot. This allows for the leaves to sprawl over the edges of the container. Be sure to add a small amount of organic matter to your pot, which will help the plant become more bushy.
If you prefer, you can plant thyme directly in the ground. This will work well if you have a sheltered spot, but it may turn woody.
Lantana
If you want a colorful addition to your window box, consider growing Lantana plants. This plant is an easy-to-grow plant that is drought-tolerant once it is established. The lantana can also be used in hanging baskets or containers.
There are many different varieties of lantana. They come in a range of colors, from yellow to orange, red, and purple. Some of the most impressive lantanas are those with two or three color flowers.
A lantana will grow well in areas that receive at least six hours of sunlight per day. It is not very tolerant of wet soil. So it is important to keep the top one to two inches of the pot’s soil dry. Overwatering can damage the plant and reduce its bloom.
If you want to make your container more attractive, you can add a layer of gravel on top of the potting mix. This can help improve drainage. Another option is to use organic compost. You can add a granular slow-release fertilizer to the soil at the time of planting.
While Lantana is a plant that does not need much maintenance, there are some things that you should do to enhance its performance. First, you can use a fertilizer with a bloom booster. Be sure to add it every month.
Adding mulch is another easy way to help a lantana thrive. Mulch can be made with organic compost or even a mixture of peat moss and perlite.