Monday, February 16, 2009

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

9 comments:

Cass @ That Old House said...

Oh dear, I have enough trouble with window boxes on my porch railings and keeping them watered.

I know that 2nd story window boxes at my house would be doomed!

Can you open windows and water the boxes that way? Or how about planting something like Portulaca, which doesn't need much water, and blooms like crazy?

Let us know what you decide to do!

Cass

Darlene said...

We don't have any flower boxes so I am no help....but I do LOVE seeing beautiful flower boxes on people's homes.

Tote, Debby, Sammy and Caleb Jimenez said...

awesome!! i love flower boxes! we're hoping and praying about putting a 2nd floor on our house (been in the works for about 3 years now!!) and i was thinking about black shutters, but they won't fit so flower boxes would be a great way to add some black upstairs. i want a black door and think that would tie it all together! i'm silly for not thinking of boxes! thanks for giving my creative juices a boost! ;)
it is a pain that they need so much watering, but they're so pretty!!!

delighted heart said...

This makes me want to put up flower boxes! Great post! i'm having a little giv-a-way tonight at my blog...a book I just read. Stop by and leave a comment and I'll put your name in the hat! have a great week!

blessings!
patti

Chari at Happy To Design said...

Hello Darlene...

Loved this post...window boxes offer such a grand ambiance to any exterior!!! Thank you for sharing all of the flower box recipes...that's great info.!

When I was in Europe a couple summers back...the window boxes were one of the things I noticed first...you can't hardly find a house without them! In fact, I have a funny story...while traveling into the Swiss Alps, my honey & I stopped to eat in one of the quaint little villages that was nestled so sweetly in the Alps...lo and behold, I looked up and someone had window boxes just full of marajuana...we just cracked up!!! I guess it's legal there? Hehe!!!

Warmest wishes...
Chari

Kelly @ Much To Do With Nothing said...

I had a friend use faux flowers upstairs too. She calls them her "ever blooms" :) I wouldn't know how to water them either. I love, love the look though. I can't even remember to water my pots on the ground. lol But, I may try some again this year. Poor things.
Kelly

Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality said...

Hi, Darlene, I'm so behind since Blissdom & now i'm working on my DR project, but wanted to say hello. I'm loving your kitchen cabs. all painted. Looking good!

Dawn Marie said...

I dont have flower boxes, just boxes on my deck. I love them. I think I would go with real flowers and figure out how to do the water. Nothing beats the real thing.

Sara's Sweet Surprise said...

Faux Silks are the easiest solution.
If you prefer real plantings, here's a couple suggestions.
A glass blown watering ball is a beautiful, fuss free way of keeping plants watered. Here's where you can take a look at what they are...http://www.nextag.com/watering-ball/search-html
There are many inexpensive places to purchase them from.
The other option is planting succulents that require less
watering. I hope this helps. Let me know if you have any questions.

Sweet Wishes,
Sara

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