Flower Boxes

We have a window flower box on our 2nd story window of our home. Last year I used faux flowers in it...only because I had no idea on how to water the flowers way up on the 2nd floor. The flowers now are looking a bit shabby so I'm wondering if I should replace the faux flowers with some more faux flowers or if I should attempt to put in real flowers with a watering system.

Here's a few recipes for creating a stunning flower box.
These are great for the Spring and Summer seasons! If you live in gardening zones 8-11, they can also thrive throughout the fall or early winter months - weather permitting. Enjoy!





Lemon Meringue (part sun)
Frothy white and yellow flowers look yummy all summer long. This recipe also attracts butterflies and hummingbirds.

Osteospermum – Lemon Symphony
Verbena – Tukana White
Torenia – Summer Wave Blue
Lysimachia – Creeping Jenny ‘Goldilocks’

Directions: In the front 2/3 of the box, alternate the Lemon Symphony and Verbena, then placing the Torenia slightly in front and between them. Plant the trailing Goldilocks along the front edge of the box. Place a few Dracaena Spikes along the back of the box for added height.




Mardi Gras (shade)
Just as festive and colorful as the real thing in New Orleans. This planting recipe is more upright and has not as much trailing foliage.

Impatiens – in mixed colors
Pink Splash
Asparagus Fern
Dracaena – Tri-color Spikes

Directions: Plant the mixed Impatiens in the front 2/3 of the box. Slightly in front and between the impatiens, plant the Pink Splash. Place the asparagus fern along the front edge and the Tri-color spikes across the back.

This One Belongs To The Reds (full sun)
Red…the color of confidence and the name of our hometown baseball team – the Cincinnati Reds! You can be confident this combination will look smashing and bold.

Supertunia - red
Patio Verbena – Patio red
Vinca Vine – green & white variegated
Dracaena – green spikes

Directions: Fill the front 2/3 of the box with the Red Supertunias. Slightly behind and between the Supertunias, add the Patio Red Verbena. Plant the variegated Vinca Vine along the front of the box. Add the Green spikes along the back and now you’re ready for a beer and a hot dog!





Cajun Parrot (part sun)
This is for the adventurous gardener who wants something striking and unusual. The colors are bright and spicy!

New Guinea Impatiens – Mango Orange
Single Impatiens – Cajun Mix
Lotus – Amazon Sunset
Coleus – Stained Glass Series & Kiwi Fern

Directions: Plant the Coleus across the back of the box, then the Mango Orange Impatiens in front of the Coleus. Fill in between the Cajun Mix Impatiens. Then plant the Lotus in the front of the box. Lotus has a feathery type foliage that will bloom with small orange-red flowers.





The Patriot (full sun)
This patriotic group of plantings will complement Old Glory just in time for July 4th!

Supertunias – red
Dusty Miller – silver
Ivy Geraniums – red
Vinca Vine – green & white
Scaveola – blue

Directions: Toward the back side of the box, plant the red Supertunias. Alternate the Red Ivy Geraniums and Blue Scaveola directly in front of the Supertunias. Plant the Vinca Vine along the front edge of the box. Lastly, plant the Dusty Miller along the back edge of the box.



So do you have a window box on a 2nd story window? If so, do you use real flowers or faux?

Darlene