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Georgia Gardener

ideas for fall/winter plants in window boxes

15 years ago

Help! I know I'm going to use the old stand-bys -- pansies, kale, cabbages, maybe some snaps. I've got a pretty ivy in each box that is cream and pink with some dark green on the leaves, can't remember the variety.

The scrolled iron boxes are large and they are far enough away from the street that I need plants that will grow 18" - 24" tall and have some major impact with the color. Some boxes are in sun, some in part shade. House is taupe and European. I've got 12 boxes.

Adding a few perennials or small evergreen shrubs in plum or wine color could be okay, but they would need to stay 12"- 18" wide and 18"-24" tall, so that I have room for the seasonal annuals.

Is there anything annual and showy for late fall/winter/early spring that I'm missing? Anything new out there?

Thanks!

Gayle

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Comments (9)

Iris GW
15 years ago
It seems like snapdragons have become very popular lately and they grow tall. Perhaps someone that has used them can comment on how well they do.

And I am not above sticking a couple of plastic flowers in with the live stuff. Lots of people don't know the difference, especially from the street. The weather is pretty hard on them, though, you usually have to get new ones every year.
bevinga
15 years ago
Do snapdragons withstand the cold?
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That wonderful deciduous holly that bears those scarlet berries.It grows wild in wet areas usually in places wild blue berries thrive.It holds up GREAT in window boxes with evergreens .Use the floral foam to anchor everyone in (fit the foam good and snug)in the boxes.Don't forget to Wilt -pruf your evergreens.Wilt -pruf is an anti-dessicant that keeps evergreens and other dormant shrubs from drying out from the effects of wind and frozen soil in the winter.Spray them let them dry and place in the boxes.Spanish moss makes a great top dressing to disguise the floral foam.You may spray the berries as well.The berries of mountain ash will work also though not as upright in habit.Good luck!-D
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You probably won't need to do any protection for the plants or boxes. The pansies will lay down when it gets too cold or they are snowed on and the hellebores will do similar. Both will perk back up as it warms during the day. If you are adding soil to the coco-mats for the plants to grow in, then that should provide enough insulation for them.
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I would highly recommend using something simple like Florist's Cyclamen for fall/winter color, they will last for months, and are dead easy. As already recommended, the various primroses as well as Violas are also great choices for long lasting color. If you can find them locally, I also use colorful bromeliads such as Neoregelias for morning sun/protected spots, and the foliage will often stay colorful all year long.
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girlgroupgirl
15 years ago
The little pixie lorapetalum would work - they stay low,
mix those with some pansies or violas and Kale with blue and purple foliage, some ivy to trail (many are hardy and don't grow too wild too fast) to trail and it would be so pretty!
gayle710
Original Author
15 years ago
GGG -- great idea! I've googled Loropetalum Little Pixie and don't get anything. I was looking for growth habit and other details. Can you fill me in?

And does anyone know where to get some Little Pixies? I didn't see any at my Pike yesterday.

Bev -- I got some snaps 3 years ago and thought they would just last through the fall, but when I thought I should rip them out, they were perking up and then they bloomed again early spring. The Pike guy said they were probably reseeds, but it was happening on the original plants. I have gotten some volunteers, too, so they do re-seed. I'll let you all know if they continue to live this year. They're in containers in a shelterd area, so maybe that's why they've hung on.

I smelled something fabulous yesterday at the nursery and it turned out to be stock. I've never grown that before, but it's beautiful and the right size. Would that be a good choice for an overwintering annual here?
mk87
15 years ago
Gayle -- Technically the name of the shrub is Purple Pixie, I think. It's one of the plants that Southern Living is marketing. Try this link.

Here is a link that might be useful: Southern Living Plant Collection
gayle710
Original Author
15 years ago
Me again. GGG -- I found "Purple Pixie" and think that's what you meant. The height is perfect, but I'm worried about the 3 foot spread for the window boxes. Can it be controlled without damaging it?

Even if it doesn't work in the window boxes, the "Purple Pixie" is perfect for another spot I was trying to figure out, so THANKS!!
girlgroupgirl
15 years ago
Nita and I have been discussing this little shrub (yes, Purple Pixie, I forgot it's name last night) and she said that it seems to do fairly well in containers as it does not seem to get as large as it says it will. Or at least not fast at all. So it should be very controlable. It also likes to be so low that planted with the root ball on an angle, it would "Drip" out of the pot. I've had my eye on them at Lowes. They are not cheap. Have tried to get them in where I work but they have not been available to us. I really like them and am considering using them in several places where I need evergreen purple groundcover. I am thinking of alternating them with the decidious "Golden elf" spirea which is equally as tuff and keeps it's lime green color all year - unlike all other spireas I've tried.

GGG
mayland
15 years ago
Lowes (Edgewood) has Purple Pixie for $14.95 for 1G. The odd thing is that I bought a couple there a few weeks ago and I am positive I paid about $7 each. All their other Loropetalum varieties are $7ish for a 1Gal. Maybe I just got mistakenly charged the lower price. I want to buy 4 more but I'm reluctant at the higher price! Please post on here if you find them for less :)

I think you could also prune it to size without damaging it if it grew wider than you wanted.
bevinga
15 years ago
Gayle...thanks for your reply! I just never knew snapdragons would withstand the cooler temps...I'm gonna have to find some now.

Beverly

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