thriller, filler, spiller window box

What can I put in window boxes besides flowers?

Ways to Decorate Window Boxes Without Flowers

Fake Flowers.
Fairy Garden.
Rockscapes.
Succulents.
Bird Boxes.
Seasonal Decor.

What grows well in window boxes?

Petunias, geraniums, zinnias, nasturtiums, and begonias are good choices for main-theme flowers. Fill in with things like wandering jew, ivy, euonymus, heather, or vinca, which will cascade over the edge of the box. Impatiens do well in shady locations. More subtle choices include coleus, heliotrope, and salvia.

How do you fill a window box?

Always make sure your window box has drainage holes. To aid drainage, place 2 inches of nonbiodegradable packing peanuts or old wine corks in the bottom of the box, and then cover with landscape fabric to prevent soil from seeping out. Next, fill the box halfway with potting soil, and add your plants.

Is Verbena a filler or Spiller?

Also, some plants can be both fillers and spillers—if they are mounding and trailing—verbena, bacopa, oregano, and some varieties of sedum.

Are window boxes bad for your house?

Poorly designed window boxes that are installed incorrectly can damage a house. ... Window boxes can really make the exterior of your home attractive. They can add color to a home no matter what the season. My wife changes the look of our large window box four times a year.

Can you put perennials in window boxes?

If gardening isn't your thing or if money is an issue, perennials are the perfect choice for window boxes. In the right climate and environment, they can survive through the winter and grow back the following spring. In climates with light frosts, your perennial choices may seem endless.

How many plants should I put in a window box?

Traditional planting is when you allow enough room between plants that the planter looks full after 2 to 3 weeks of additional growth. Generally I would use 3 or maybe 4 plants in 10 or 12-inch planters, 4 to 6 plants in a 14 to 16-inch planter and Six to 8 plants in an 16 to 20-inch planter and so on.

Can I grow lavender in a window box?

Lavender thrives in well-drained soil, preferably in a raised bed or container garden, and requires full sun. ... Two kinds of mint, chamomile, pineapple sage, lemon-scented geraniums and French lavender star in this window box by Granville, Ohio landscape architect Jennifer Bartley for Country Living.

Can I grow vegetables in a window box?

Even with little growing experience, you can master raising fresh and flavorful plants in a window box. ... Shallow-rooted plants, including leaf lettuces, greens, radishes, peppers and bush beans, can yield in soil in the 6-inch-deep range. Deeper boxes (up to 12 inches) can host carrots, onions and tomatoes.

How do you keep a window box from falling down?

To stop your window boxes falling off, always make sure they're secured. Metal brackets bolted to the wall can extend your windowsills, as well as help to secure the containers. You could also screw eyelets into the wall each side of the window box, then tie in the window box with some strong wire.

Should I line my window box?

Window box liners are essential elements helping to extend the longevity of the window box by preventing direct contact of the container with the organic materials and water used by the plants. Ideally, liners should have holes at the bottom which matches those of the boxes to drain out excess water.

What color should my window boxes be?

Brown, beige and other neutral colors serve to ground the window boxes and make them disappear against most houses. Light brown window boxes set against neutral grays, washed-out brick reds or even browns, make the flowers and plants in the box stand out and the window flower box itself disappear.

Is Coleus a thriller or filler?

Filler plants – Fillers are mid-size, mounding, or rounded plants that surround and enhance the thriller and fill the space in the planter. ... The difficult part is selecting the plant from so many choices, but a few suggestions include: Begonias. Coleus.

What do you put in the bottom of a planter for drainage?

Create a drainage layer

A drainage layer is created by adding a medium such as pebbles, stones or pumace to the bottom of a pot before adding soil. Soil particles are very small and tightly packed together, which means that water moves through them quite slowly.

Are black pots bad for plants?

Do not use black, or dark colored plastic pots if your container garden will be located in a very sunny location. These colors absorb heat and will get very hot, which can damage tender roots. Light colored containers reflect the heat and keep the roots cool.

Do window boxes need drainage holes?

It's absolutely necessary that a window box have drainage holes so plants do not sit in soggy soil. If your box does not come with holes, you will need to drill holes in the bottom before installation.

How do you waterproof a window box?

Line the inside of the wooden planter box with thick plastic. Thick, 6 mil polyethylene sheeting, commonly used for greenhouses, works well -- but even a plastic trash bag can be used to waterproof the inside of the planter. For best results, fold the trash bag in half to double the thickness of the liner.

Should a window box be wider than the window?

For the best visual effect, your window box should be at least as wide as the window but should not extend more than three inches beyond the trim on each side.

Can you keep perennials indoors?

Store Your Perennials Indoors

An unheated garage, shed, or basement with a temperature range between 30 and 40 degrees can provide a perfect environment for overwintering perennials. Dormant plants should be brought inside and watered periodically whenever the temperature is above 40 degrees.

How often should you water a window box?

Frequent watering is the most important part of caring for plants in window boxes. As with most containers, window boxes will need to be watered at least once a day.

Will perennials survive in pots?

Many perennials and shrubs can live for several years in a container. ... Also, containers don't insulate a plant's roots from winter temperatures. The general rule of thumb for container-plant survival through the winter is that the plant should be hardy to two zones colder than your USDA Hardiness Zone.