Great!! What;s the purple stuff? I think I need some!! Kinda C

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.

Very nice photos and window boxes everyone! I love the metal boxes on your home, Flora. Would love to see a shot of the house with the boxes in place. Super hints about taking care of drainage and planting in liners too. The white shutters and box on your shed look so attractive, Libby. Such a nice touch that makes it seem homey and cared for, not just a plain wall. It must have been hard to keep, Edna, but the combination of flowers was very pretty. The pretty blue bench/box is a great idea for low windows! My grandmother grew what she called angel wing begonias and they were similar to yours, bellarosa. Very nice foliage as well as flowers! Hope more people with boxes will post photos!! Debby

I don't know where you live, but where I am (Toronto Canada), this is the ideal time to plant trees and shrubs. They will put in roots before the winter freeze, and have months and months to get established before they are stressed by next summer's heat. As a bonus, nurseries often have sales at this time of year, and their planners are not busy. Wait until next spring and it will be harder to find people with time to help you. Even if you don't buy and plant now, planning now has its advantages. Go with some pictures of your house (close up and far away), plus measurements. A local nursery can give you some ideas of what will do well in your area. Pay attention to the final size of the plants (on the tag) and don't plant things too close to each other, or too close to the house. Fill in the bare spots for the first few years with annuals, until your permanent plantings reach their full size. I'd like to see a plan for you that has some taller shrubs and/or small trees, to fill in the area below your living room window. The plan you show is too low, and too uniform. You need variation in height.