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Cottage Gardens

Yippeee Finally a good window box!

15 years ago

I am so happy because I finally got the window box thing! I love window box plantings but have never been good at them. I did a lot of reading and looking at boxes online so when I planted mine this year I used some of the ideas I had found. I am THRILLED. For the first time I actually will have billowing flowers in my boxes!

My house faces south so the plants get direct light all day. Sounds good right? NOT. Because of this my plants never were able to get a good start before frying. I think the best tip I read was to mulch the top of the plantings. I never did that before and my plants were always drying out, flowers dying or looking sickly! Just wanted to pass this on to anyone who like me, did not have the type of plantings they always wanted :)

Comments (18)

midnightsmum (Z4, ON)
15 years ago
I think we need to see those billowing flowers. ;-))
keesha2006
15 years ago
chant ..pics pics..pics
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Nell Jean
15 years ago
That's a great tip.

Mulch is a great idea anywhere hot sun reaches the soil. The only thing it doesn't do is stop squirrels planting pecans in containers.

Nell
agardenstateof_mind
15 years ago
Nell,

At least pecans are edible ...

... we just have acorns :-)

WTG, MsScarlet; I'd love to see some photos, too!

Diane
Bamateacha
15 years ago
Yes...photos please! :)
There's nothing prettier than a nice window box.

-Sharon
DYH
15 years ago
Great tip!

Where's the picture? :-)

Cameron
msscarlet
Original Author
15 years ago
Okay since you asked :)...keep in mind that it is New England and only July 1st so we are nothing is "billowing" so to speak at this early date, but there is potential billowing here. There are some stock and verbena that are not showing up yet, and the marigolds are not in full bloom either. Can't wait until they are all in bloom! Heck, I am just glad that it is July 1st and my flowers can be seen and are not dead! I am so happy about this ROFL!

This is how the right side box looked when first planted about a month ago...

And today some shots...note DH HAD to put the air conditioner in the front window and not the side like I asked him to :(

Wait, huh, what, is that the beginning of billowing?
{{gwi:702248}}

Left side with some surprises ;-)

Wait, wait mom, don't take the pic yet, let me get ready first!

Okay I am ready now...ummm do you think you might snip that salvia down a bit, it looks awkward and it really interferes with my view AND what could be a great shot of me! Sasha, my greatest critic!

She's gone, too much interference!

Had to add this one. Last year this lily was as tall as I am (5' 6") this year it is 3 inches higher! Can't wait for it to bloom!
robinco
15 years ago
Gorgeous! I love how you have the height _and_ the "spillers". That lily's going to be a showstopper!
bonnys
15 years ago
So glad to see the pictures. Yep, I would call that billowing.....and beautifully. I would be shouting yippeee too! Your cats seem to have quite an attitude ;' )

Bonny
Bamateacha
15 years ago
You've got some serious billowing going on and it's beautiful! I love your combinations. If you get time, will you tell me what you planted? I think I recognize fan flower, one of my favorites to use in window boxes and pots. The colors you chose are so bright and cherry. Very nice indeed!

-Sharon
girlgroupgirl
15 years ago
Oh, they are purrrr-erfect!
gldno1
15 years ago
Yep, you have a beautiful, colorful, "billowing" window box!

Don't forget to post a picture of the lily; it looks different to what I am used to.

Love the kitty.... I can't take a picture outside that doesn't have the dog or cats and sometimes DH in it somewhere.
contrary_grow
15 years ago
Very pretty window boxes. You've done a great job with them. It's amazing how much they've grown in a month's time.

Mary
lzyjo
15 years ago
Beautiful colors. I love the contrast against the white house. What are the trailing purple and white plants?
msscarlet
Original Author
15 years ago
Thank you everyone. I am so thrilled that my boxes have done so well. That mulch trick works incredibly well. It has given them the chance to grow and fill out before the real hot weather finishes them off! Every year I plant them and every year I am disappointed that they do not do well. Can't wait to see how full they are by August!

Sharon I planted
Red petunias
Red trailing verbena and red upright verbena
Yellow Marigolds
Yellow stock (can't see it yet lol)
White verbena (can't see that yet either!)
White lobelia
Purple not sure what the middle plant is but I want to yank it because it is too wimpy for the middle of the container
Blue lobelia

Lzyjo the white and purple plants are lobelia.
lvtgrdn
15 years ago
Lovely! I love planting in pots, but this year we aren't planting as many because I have new flower bed I'm working on. Every spring, my dh says he wants me to plant my plants closer together in the pot so not so much dirt shows. I usually like to leave some room for the plants to grow. He even buys a few hanging baskets because they are already filled out. I looked at some pre made pots, and bought most of the same kinds of plants they had in them, and made my own crowded pots. They are doing fine so far. I don't have any window boxes hanging, though. We may get a different shed, and then I'd like to have one. Sue D.
DYH
15 years ago
You have a gorgeous design! Your colors and plant choices are so perfect! Yep, YOU GOT IT RIGHT! :-)

Your kitty looks like a real entertainer to me! LOL

Cameron
lynnencfan
15 years ago
really beautiful - wonderful color combinations and a great mix of uprights and trailings. ~~sigh~~ I am still working on the 'billowing' part. Thanks for sharing you success story......

Lynne

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