3 Simple Ways to Create the Best Window Boxes

Whether you live in an apartment with limited outdoor space or simply want to spice up your home’s kerb appeal – window boxes can feel like a magic solution. They look great, and are a pretty low-maintenance option compared to dedicated flowerbeds. Unfortunately, there’s also nowhere to hide with window boxes which are on display for everyone to see. So, you’ll want them looking just right. 

Yet, despite your best efforts, those window boxes often fail to thrive. The flowers droop too quickly, and there’s just something messy about the whole thing within a mere week or two after planting. Sound familiar? Fear not – in this handy guide, we’ve got some surprisingly simple tips to help you ensure your best window boxes yet. 

Tip 1: Plant Seasonally

Window boxes are for life, not just for the summer sun. By planting seasonally across the year, you can overcome those horrible periods of half-dead boxes which look like little garden graveyards on the front of your house. Some great season-specific planting ideas include – 

• Spring: Invest in spring blooms like daffodil and tulip bulbs for an early bloom of colour
• Summer: Pick summer blooms like petunias, geraniums, and even strawberry or tomato plants
• Autumn: Enjoy those autumn colours by pairing blooms like cyclamen, heather, and ivy with decorative pumpkins or pops of colourful crocuses. 
• Winter: Embrace winter through a window box filled with snapdragons, flowering kale, and coloured shrubs. 

Tip 2: Consider Sizing

Believe it or not, size matters when it comes to your window boxes. This is true in a few different ways. For one thing, you’ll want to make sure that your window box itself is at least two inches as wide as your window on either side and at least eight inches deep. You should then make sure to install your window box roughly six inches from your window to allow room for growth. 

You’ll also want to ensure that any flowers you plant sit comfortably within that six-inch allowance. Avoid flowers which are liable to grow higher, such as snapdragons or hollyhock. Instead, think about neater planting options which are more likely to keep your window itself clear, such as low-growing plants which might include lavender and snowdrops. 

Tip 3: Always Add Variety

Like a one-track mind, a one-layer window box can quickly get a little dull. And, remember, you’re incorporating this addition to keep things interesting. So make sure you’re doing that by planting with variety in mind. 

Most simply, this means considering things like a rainbow of colours and different types of flowers. Equally, you might want to play around with height by pairing something like your spring tulips alongside additions like trailing rosemary or sweet potato vines. All of which is going to add all of the variety you need.  

If window boxes feel like your nemesis right now, it’s time to put these tips into action. With these simple adjustments, your window boxes will look wonderful this season and every one to come. 

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