Welcome to the delightful world of window boxes, where your gardening dreams can flourish right outside your window! Window boxes are the perfect way to bring a splash of color, fragrant flowers, and vibrant life to any home. Whether you’re an experienced gardener or a green-thumb novice, choosing the right perennials can transform your window box into a year-round display of beauty. With the right mix of plants, you can enjoy a cascade of flower blooms, pink blossoms, and lush greenery that will make your neighbors green with envy.
Imagine sipping your morning coffee while admiring your window box filled with ever-changing colors and textures. From the early spring buds to the vibrant hues of summer, and the rich tones of early fall, your window boxes can be a continuous source of joy. These compact gardens thrive with full sun exposure and well-drained soil, creating a perfect home for both annual flowers and hardy perennials. Whether you prefer the soft pastels of bee balm or the striking presence of evergreen plants, there’s a perfect combination waiting to make your window box the highlight of your home.
So, let’s dive into the best perennials for window boxes and start planning your mini garden masterpiece!
Best Perennials for Window Boxes
Here are some of the best perennials you can adorn your windows with:
1. Monarda Dudyma
Bee balm can thrive in very large containers—think 5 to 10 gallons—and make a fantastic addition to sunny outdoor spots to attract pollinators. Start with a high-quality potting mix blended with compost, then place your bee balm plant right in the center of the container. Keep the soil moist by watering whenever the top inch feels dry. For the best results, plant bee balm (or monarda) in the spring or fall in a location that gets full sun. While bee balm can tolerate partial sun, it will produce fewer flowers.
When planting, space your monarda plants in organically rich soil with a pH of 6.0 to 6.7 that drains easily. This setup not only ensures healthy growth but also creates a visually stunning display. Pair your bee balm with hanging baskets filled with trailing plants or spring bulbs for added charm. Don’t forget to incorporate some annual flowers and warm-season annuals to keep your garden lively and vibrant all season long!
2. Digitalis Dalmatian
Most foxgloves thrive in large containers and dappled shade, but certain plants, like Digitalis parviflora and Digitalis obscura, demand full sunlight to really show off. Foxgloves are quite adaptable and will grow in any soil type, though they prefer moist but well-draining conditions. These mid-summer beauties, with their trumpet-shaped flowers, bloom from May to July and reach heights of 40-50cm.
Digitalis Dalmatian Purple is a star among perennials, perfect for attracting bees and other pollinators. These delightful flowers are also excellent for cutting and thrive in pots. Plant them during the appropriate growing season, ensuring they get full sunlight, and watch them flourish all summer long until the first frost. Pair them with vinca minor or other perennials for a stunning display that lasts the entire growing season.
3. Mother of Thyme
Creeping thyme thrives in small containers and adds a spicy fragrance to your garden, making it an excellent choice for a sensory garden. This versatile plant can be used as a lawn substitute or to fill in between pavers. Although it’s a member of the thyme family, it’s rarely used as a culinary herb. Instead, its real charm lies in attracting bees and butterflies while being deer and rabbit-resistant.
Mother-of-thyme is a low-growing, trailing-root ground cover that seldom grows higher than 3 or 4 inches. This well-drained, hardy perennial spreads out horizontally from a central root system, creating a lush carpet of green foliage with delightful pink blooms. Perfect for planting in areas that need a splash of color, it thrives in both sun and shade.
Imagine your garden filled with the vibrant colors of creeping thyme, from purple and green to pink and yellow flowers, creating a delightful visual and sensory experience. With its ability to attract butterflies and withstand the heat of summer, this plant is a true garden gem, perfect for filling up window boxes and large containers and adding charm to any outdoor space.
4. Amsonia
This perennial thrives in pots with various soils, as long as they are well-draining. Its long-lasting blooms attract pollinators like butterflies, contributing to the ecosystem of your garden. In addition, its seed pods and golden autumn foliage provide extended visual interest. The plant is primarily grown for the delicate blue flowers that give it its common name. Plus, it produces toxic latex when the stem is cut or damaged, making it resistant to deer and most pests. Come fall, the foliage turns a pleasant yellow, adding another splash of color to your garden.
Imagine your planters filled with these vibrant perennials, their blooms attracting bees and butterflies while their fast-growing nature ensures your garden is always buzzing with life. The delightful violet and blue hues of the flowers in spring add a touch of magic to your window boxes, thriving under the sunlight in various shades of light. These plants not only brighten up your garden but also offer ideal conditions for other plants to blossom, making them a perfect addition to any garden.
5. Black Eyed Susan
This perennial thrives in pots with various soils, as long as they are well-draining. Its long-lasting blooms attract butterflies and bees, making your window garden an ecosystem of vibrant life. With seed pods and golden autumn foliage adding visual interest, this plant is a true multi-season marvel. Primarily grown for its delicate blue flowers, this beauty also surprises with a violet tint that steals the show in spring.
Imagine your window boxes bursting with these blooms, thriving under ideal sunlight and fast-growing to fill every corner. These plants not only resist damage from deer and pests thanks to their toxic latex but also turn a pleasant yellow in fall, adding a splash of color. Your planters will be a haven of blue and violet blossoms, creating a lively, ever-changing display. Perfect for any gardener looking to add life, color, and resilience to their space, these perennials are a must-have.
6. Leucanthemum
Leucanthemum plants are stars of container life! These beauties thrive as long as you keep them from getting dry or root-bound. When planting them in containers, ensure your pot has ample drainage. Place your leucanthemum in a sunny spot with moist but well-drained soil to enjoy the best flowering display. When planting, make sure the top of the root ball is level with the soil surface and give it a good watering.
For an extra boost, consider adding a bit of fertilizer. Typically, a balanced one will do wonders for these lovely blooms. Picture your balcony adorned with Leucanthemum, hummingbirds flitting around, and a splash of color from petunias, marigolds, and nasturtiums. These window box flowers are perfect for various zones, making them versatile and easy to grow. Complement them with other vibrant blooms for a stunning, dynamic display that will make your window box the talk of the neighbourhood!
7. Aquilegia Clementine Red
Growing Aquilegia Clementine Red in pots and window boxes is a delightful way to add a splash of color to your garden space. These perennials are known for their vibrant orange blooms and intricate, large leaves, making them a striking addition to any window box. When planting Aquilegia Clementine Red, choose a pot or box with good drainage and fill it with nutrient-rich, well-draining soil. Place the container in a spot where it receives plenty of sunlight, but also benefits from some afternoon shade to protect the delicate blooms during the hottest part of the day.
Be sure to keep the soil moist but not waterlogged, and deadhead spent blooms to encourage continuous flowering. As the season progresses, you may notice seed pods forming; these can be collected and sown for future growth or allowed to self-seed in the box for a natural, fuller look. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or new to container gardening, Aquilegia Clementine Red is a fantastic perennial choice that will bring vibrant life to your window box.
Conclusion
Creating a vibrant window box with perennials is a fantastic way to enjoy nature’s beauty right outside your window. With a mix of full sun and partial shade plants, you can achieve a lush, colorful display that changes with the seasons. Choose low-maintenance perennials that thrive in organic soil and well-drained conditions to ensure your window box looks stunning all year round.
From the cheerful blooms of Black-Eyed Susans to the delicate flowers of Aquilegia Clementine Red, these plants are perfect for any gardener looking to add life and color to their space. So, get planting, experiment with different combinations, and create a window box that’s uniquely yours. Happy gardening!
