Window Box Ideas - Part 1

Overall Structure

Coming up with ideas for window boxes can sometimes be a daunting task, but more importantly it can be extremely fun!!  There are many, many choices for plants, flowers, and vines and an endless number of combinations.  Creativity and personality are the keys to picking out the right combinations that you will enjoy.  By considering the right combinations of sizes, colors, and layouts you can come up with your own unique style that will leave the neighbors with envy.

Here are a few window box ideas for the overall structure to help stir up your imagination:

1. Tall plants are great window box ideas when surrounded by smaller complimenting plants. They can act as a center-piece while highlighting and drawing attention to your window box to make it a focal point on the house.  Here are a few ideas for tall drama: lillies, amaryillis, and gladiolus.

2. Climbing plants and vines help blend the box with the home. If you've already got climbing vines on your house try adding a window box and having them flow down into the window box where a tall plant or some bright colors can pop out.  Some of my favorites: virginia creepers, wisteria, and ivy.

3. Hanging plants are a great window box idea and can easily be combined with other plants and flowers in your arrangement or they can completely fill your flower box. You can also blend them with your landscaping area beneath a window or to draw attention away from a plain wall. Potatoe vines, aubretia, or geraniums are all favorites that can be used.

4. Perennials are flowers that will last many years and are great choices for lesser maintenance: foxgloves are popular and one of my favorites. It's common to want to try different ideas out at first.  Annuals are flowers that are more seasonal and work well if you'll be trying different ideas and styles.

5. Color is a good way to draw attention to a window box and make it stand out: Impatiens, violets, tuplis, jasmins, and daisys are colorful options that are great for accenting a box on the sides or even for filling it up completely. Stick with simple green plants if you want to remain neutral and accent rather than highlight your window box.

Always decide on your overall structure first.  This will govern the overall feeling you want your window box to show off.  A few questions you should consider are:  Do you want the window box to stand out or flow with the rest of the home?  Is it part of the existing landscaping or will it be separate?  Does it need drama, color, or style or simplicity?  Do you need to create something for the neighbors to talk about?  No matter what you choose, let your creativity come out.  You can mix up different combinations for each season to keep it interesting: spring, summer, fall, and winter!

Click here for more pictures of great Fall Window Box Ideas!