Installing window boxes on your house and filling them with a bright array of flowers improves the curb appeal and attractiveness of your home. Shorter flowers, hanging flowers, or climbing plants are options.
Flower boxes can also be a mess without proper care and the wrong types of flowers. Consider what you want to achieve and get advice before planting.
What Makes Some Flowers Poor Window Box Choices
Window boxes are usually fairly confined spaces. The plants require regular care. Some are too big and some are too heavy. Some flowers like zinnias and dahlias are not heavy bloomers–leaving window boxes looking sparse and drab.
Tall Flowers
Tall plants cover too much of the window–shading the home’s interior and reducing airflow. They can fall over and need to be replaced. Interspersed with smaller plants makes the flower box appear asymmetrical, poorly planned, and messy.
Flowers That Require a Stake Or Netting
Stakes or netting to support flowers like morning glories do not work in most flower boxes. The boxes don’t have enough depth to support stakes properly. Climbing or tall flowers obscure the opening. Netting and trellis often need to be fastened to the house or window frame–damaging the finish and allowing water penetration.
Delicate Flowers
Do not plant flowers that are not heat and/or drought-resistant. Some snapdragons along with many other flowers require regular watering and wilt without it. Window boxes usually get much less rain than falls on the ground. Too much sunlight stresses flowers that grow best in shaded areas.
Flowers With Large Roots
Flowers with large root balls or extensive root systems–like cosmos and large zinnias–outgrow flower boxes. Not only are these plants stressed by lack of space, they outcompete other plants in the box for water and nutrients.
Sun and Shade
Choose the right types of plants for the location of your window boxes. Many plants thrive in direct sunlight. Others prefer more shade. Ensure your plant choices are compatible with your window box locations or you may be wasting your efforts.
Location
Buy flowers that are native to your area or are proven to grow well where you live. Flower boxes require regular care. Trying to grow unsuitable plants wastes time and money.
Install your window boxes in locations with easy access such as venting windows (preferably sliders) or close to ground level. Needing a ladder to water, plant, and care for flowers in a window box is dangerous and increases the chance of providing less care.
Examples Of Flowers To Avoid In Window Boxes
Many flowers should never be planted in window boxes. Before planting read the seed packets, and check with growers, and garden centers. Some flowers to definitely avoid include:
- Zinnias
- Sunflowers
- Dahlias
- Gerbera daisies
- Cosmos
- Morning glories
- Lobelias
- Hollyhocks
- Snapdragons
- Sweet peas
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