Summer Window Box Ideas
Before summer comes around, gardeners commence with planning and preparing their gardens. Summer is the ideal time to bring back color and vibrancy into your home and outdoors with stunning
window boxes and planters overflowing with summer flowers and plants. Whether you're looking to create a bold and colorful display or a more subdued and elegant arrangement, there's a summer window box to suit your taste and style. From classic geraniums and petunias to trailing sweet potato vines and vibrant fuchsia, summer window boxes can showcase a variety of colors, textures, and shapes to enhance your patio and balcony and add curb appeal to your home.
The following article highlights some of the
best flowers and plants for summer window boxes. It provides tips for creating beautiful and exciting flower box displays and arrangements that will add charm and personality to your home.
The Best Summer Window Box Ideas
Flower boxes are a gardener's dream. They can accommodate and can grow most varieties of summer plants and flowers. And they provide your home with the burst of color it needs after the dull winter. Here are some of the best ideas for summer flowers, plants, and vines that are perfect for planting in window boxes and planters. For a summer window box to look its best, it should be jammed with flowers and plants but retain a balance between greenery, color, and flowers. Petunias, nasturtiums, geraniums, and Fuschia are ideal as the base flowers for your summer window boxes. You can use impatiens, ivy, heather, and salvia as fillers to complete your window box display.
Selecting Flowers And Plants For Summer Window Boxes
When selecting flowers and plants for your summer window box, it is essential to consider the extent of sunlight the area receives during the day. Sun-loving plants will thrive and grow taller on a north-facing wall. Shade-loving plants, on the other hand, will be scorched with the high sun exposure on a south or west-facing wall. Here are a few flowers and plants to consider when planning your summer window boxes based on sun exposure.
Summer Window Box Flowers For Full Sun
You have a full-sun location if your window box receives at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily. Plants that do well in full sun include:
Petunias: These popular annuals are available in various colors and bloom throughout the summer. They prefer well-drained soil and regular watering.
Geraniums: Geraniums are available in various colors, and gardeners love them for their sweet fragrance. They are, therefore, a popular choice for window boxes. They require well-drained potting soil. Geraniums dislike soggy soil; therefore, water them regularly. At the first signs of cold and frost move your window boxes containing geraniums indoors, to prevent winter damage.
Marigolds: You find these easy-to-grow, ball-shaped annuals in shades of orange, yellow, white, and red and are a great choice for full-sun window boxes. They thrive in well-drained soil and moderate watering. Marigolds are great as insect repellants. The colorful flowers are also edible and safe to have around your pets.
Zinnias: These colorful annuals are available in a wide range of shades and bloom throughout the summer. These sun-loving plants prefer well-drained soil and regular watering.
Verbena: These trailing annual plants come in a variety of colors. They are great for adding texture and giving the appearance of flowing movement to a window box. It prefers well-drained soil and moderate watering.
Strawberry: Organically grown strawberries are far juicier and flavor enriched than those from any grocery store. They are easy to grow and will thrive when well looked after. If you decide to grow strawberries in your summer window box, you should prepare the soil well before introducing the plants. You must ensure the soil is well-mulched with good drainage. The trailing summer plant looks excellent in window boxes, but when kept off the ground, there is a lower risk of pests and insects damaging the fruit.
Summer Window Box Flowers For Shade
You have a shade location if your window box receives little to no direct sunlight. Plants that grow well in the shade include:
Impatiens: These popular, colorful annuals, also known as Touch me Nots do well in shady locations. It would be best to dampen them regularly to ensure the soil was moist.
Begonias: Begonias are available in colorful varieties. They are an excellent choice for adding color to a shady window box. They thrive in light, fertile soil that ensures good drainage. These summer flowers require watering every two to four days.
Fuchsia:
These elegant annuals have beautiful, bell-shaped flowers in various colors and flourish in the shade. These elegant summer plants prefer well-drained soil and regular watering.
Coleus: These are colorful annuals available in various shades. They add exciting foliage to a window box. They prefer well-drained soil and moderate watering.
Summer Window Box Flowers For Semi-Shade
If your window box receives direct sunlight and has some shaded areas, they are in a semi-shade location. Plants that prosper in semi-shade include:
Lobelia: This annual comes in shades of blue, purple, and white and adds a delicate, airy texture to a window box. They are suited to full sun and shade, so the location depends on you. It prefers fertile, reasonably moist soil. Moderate watering this trailing plant will ensure it does not dry out during summer.
Salvia: These plants, members of the mint family, are annual and perennial. They offer colorful flowers, scents, flavors, and textures to your summer window box. It is available in various colors and is an excellent choice for adding vertical interest to a window box.
Keeping them close to your kitchen window or cooking area enhances the taste of your summer salads, stews, and casseroles. To prevent them from drying out at the height of summer, drench them with a liquid-based plant food that will stimulate growth.
Snapdragons: These colorful seasonal plants are available in shades and create great accents when grown in groups. The colorful blooms last from June to October and are perfect additions to your summer window box. The tall flowers provide the height element to your window box. Snapdragons prefer fertile soil with good drainage.
Sweet Alyssum: This common annual plant is available in white, pink, and purple shades. They will add a sweet fragrance to any summer window box display. It prefers moist, well-drained soil with regular watering. These summer flowers are invasive; therefore, they are ideal for growing in window boxes and planters. You have more control over them in this way, and they bring much-needed color and greenery to your summer window box.
Sweet Potato Vine: This climbing vine is perfect for adding greenery and texture to your window boxes, hanging baskets, and planters. It can also grow up to six feet long, making it perfect for adding height to your window boxes and outdoor planters. The heart-shaped leaves are available in various colors, including green, purple, and variegated.
How To Create Interesting Summer Window Box Arrangements and Displays
Creating an exciting and eye-catching display with summer window box flowers requires careful selection and arrangement of plants. By considering factors such as color, texture, and growth habits, you can create a stunning window box display that will bring summer happiness to your home.
Select A Color Scheme
Selecting a color scheme is a great way to tie together different plants and flowers in your summer window box display. You might choose a monochromatic scheme, where you use different shades of the same color, or a complementary scheme, where you combine colors opposite one another on the color wheel. Whatever you choose, make sure the colors work well together and complement the exterior of your home. Here are a few color combinations you can use as a reference point for your summer window box.
Bronze and Red Window Box Combination
For this stunning color combination, you can use either a terracotta or
cedar window box to highlight the plant and flower colors or to contrast the red and bronze hues of the plants. You can start with copper leaf plant as the filler, sweet potato vine with full red foliage or purple as the spiller, and Red Abyssinian banana to complete the thrill aspect. Red flowers also are a great accent on a wrought iron window box with a copper liner.
Pastel and White Window Box Combination
This color combination evokes a calm and relaxed feel and is ideal for a shady window corner.
PVC window boxes are great in that they are low maintenance and usually come in a white color. This white color is the perfect backdrop for colorful flowers to pop and show through. window box before adding in your selection of summer plants and flowers. You can select a combination of white or pastel-shade flowers and foliage. Select "Diamond Frost" euphoria for filling the window box. The texture and color of this summer plant continue with the white and pastel theme. "Angels Falls Soft Pink" provides additional pastel color to this white and pastel combination. Add some Caladium, which is perfect with its large patterned leaves and tall stems for the filler and completes this white and pastel window box color combination.
Colorful Summer Window Box Combinations
With this combination, your window box is sure to pop with color! The combination encourages you to be bold with color and make a statement. For this spectacular summer combination, select a plastic window box in burnt orange or sunset yellow, which will highlight the bold colors of your plant selection. Then go ahead with adding in your
window box fillers, spillers, and thrillers. Use Bandana Cherry Sunrise as fillers, followed by two varieties of sweet potato vines, Margarita and Solar Powered Lime, as spillers. Finally, as thrillers, Saucy Coral salvia and the firecracker plant complete this color summer window box combination.
Mix In Summer Window Box Edibles
Adding herbs, vegetables, or fruit to your window box can be fun and unexpected. Try incorporating cherry tomatoes, strawberries, or herbs like basil, thyme, and rosemary. Nasturtiums are also great edible plants and a delicious addition to your salads. You can also create outstanding summer window box displays by incorporating "thrillers", "fillers" and "spillers". Listed below are a few suggestions for making the most of flowers and plants in each category that will bring your summer window box to life. When planning your summer window box with fillers, spillers, and thrillers, it is essential to use flowers and plants of the same sun exposure. You cannot combine sun-loving plants with plants that prefer shade in one window box.
Selecting The Correct Window Box For Summer Flower Display
Selecting the correct window box is an essential aspect of creating a beautiful summer flower display. They are a great way to bring the beauty of nature to small spaces and enhance the aesthetic appeal of your home. The type of window box you select can impact the health and growth of your plants, as well as the overall aesthetic appeal of your display. Listed below are general tips for selecting the correct window box for your summer flower display:
Consider The Window Box Size and Material
Choosing the size of your window box should be proportional to the size of your window and the number of plants you plan to include. It should be large enough to accommodate your plants' root systems and allow for proper drainage but not so extensive that it overwhelms the window. Window boxes are available in various materials, including wood, metal, and plastic. Each material has its advantages and disadvantages.
· Wooden window boxes are attractive and durable but can rot over time. Cedar window boxes with an inner PVC core offer the beaty of wood with less rotting and maintenance.
· Metal window boxes are strong and weather-resistant, but they can rust. A good idea to prevent rust is to move the window box indoors or under cover. You can coat it with an anti-rust solution to avert rust from forming on your metal window box.
· PVC window boxes are lightweight and low-maintenance and many of them look like wood
Ensure Proper Drainage
Your window box should have drainage holes to allow excess water to escape. Correct drainage prevents water from pooling at the bottom of the box and causing root rot or other problems to your window boxes.
Consider The Exposure
The location of your window box can impact the material you choose. If your window box is exposed to harsh weather conditions, like extreme heat or cold, you may choose a weather-resistant material. A self-watering window box is a flower box that has a continuous or backup supply of water and is a great way to keep your soil moist and from drying out during the hot summer months.
Personal Style
The style of your window box should reflect your personal taste and complement the architecture of your home. Consider color, shape, and texture when selecting a window box.
The Number Of Plants And Flowers To Include In Your Summer Window Box
There is no fixed or binding rule regarding the number of plants you can add to your summer window box display. However, it is best to be mindful of the plant's growth and size when considering the number of plants to add to the window box.
You can follow the following guidelines regarding the number of plants to add to your window box.
· A 24-inch window box can hold about 4 to 6 small plants or 3 to 4 larger plants.
· A 36-inch window box can hold about 6 to 8 small plants or 4 to 6 larger plants.
· A 48-inch window box can hold about 8 to 10 small plants or 6 to 8 larger plants.
Keep in mind that it is better to use fewer well-spaced plants with room to grow, rather than cramming too many plants into a small space. Overcrowding can lead to plants competing for water and nutrients, which can cause them to become stunted or die. When selecting plants for your summer window box, consider their mature size and growth habit. Consider using a combination of taller plants in the center or back of the box, with smaller plants around the edges to create a more exciting display. Choose plants that will fill out the space in your window box without overcrowding one another. Ultimately, the number of plants you use in your flower box depends on your personal preference and the appearance you are trying to achieve. Experiment with contrasting plant combinations to find the perfect balance for your window.
Conclusion
Summer window box displays are a beautiful way to add color and life to your home's exterior. With a bit of arrangement and creativity, you can create a stunning display of flowers and plants that will be the envy of the neighborhood. When selecting plants for your window box during the summer, consider their light requirements and choose a box that is appropriate for the size and style of your home. Use a combination of thrillers, fillers, and spillers to create a dynamic and exciting display, and don't be afraid to experiment with contrasting colors, textures, and heights.
Remember to water your plants regularly and provide adequate nutrition to keep them looking their best. With a bit of love and attention, your summer window box display will thrive and bring joy and beauty to your home all season long. Flower Window Boxes, Inc. is one of the largest online window box companies in the US. If you are looking for
fall window box ideas, winter window box decorating ideas, or spring window box ideas then make sure to check back often.
 About the Author
Matthew Buquoi is the owner of Flower Window Boxes, Inc., which is one of the largest online window box companies in the United States. In addition to being the owner, he is also an expert author, and regularly writes about industry topics in the window boxes, planters, exterior shutters, and home and garden industry.
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