Personal Gardens Right Outside Your Window
WINDOW BOXES DON'T HAVE TO BE FLOWERS
While there isn’t a lot of documentation on exactly when and where flower boxes first became popular, it’s widely believed that the small, personal gardens were born of necessity in densely populated cities. Few civilians could afford land, so the woman of the household would mount a flower box in a sunny window. This allowed then to grow medicinal plants and aromatic herbs for cooking that were within easy reach.
When Victorians began using flower boxes to decorate their homes with ornamental flowers, the trend caught on. Homeowners and business both began installing decorative flower boxes that showcased colorful plants and flowers that could be changed seasonally.
FAMOUS FLOWER BOXES
New Orleans is known worldwide for its elaborate, wrought iron balconies (without supporting posts) and galleries (with supporting posts). The LaBranche House on Royal Street is one of the most photographed buildings in the French Quarter. The large ferns and flower boxes are a great example of how greenery adds warmth and color to city dwellings.
FORM & FUNCTION
Because there wasn’t air conditioning when these homes were built, windows would be left open for fresh air. The light scattering properties of the hanging plants helped diffuse the sun rays to try to keep the temperatures from rising inside the home. Additionally, c
ities were notoriously foul smelling because of crowding and poor sanitation. Adding fragrant flowers could help sweeten the air coming into the home.
CHOOSING PLANTS FOR FLOWER BOXES
You can achieve a multi-color look by using different plant varieties or by using plants that have multi-color blooms, like geraniums and pansies.
When choosing plants for your flower box, you’ll need to consider a few things in order for them to thrive. For blooms all season, you’ll want to select perennial plants. These plants will continue to flower throughout the season. When you shop for your perennial plants, keep these variables in mind.
- Sunlight: Access how much sun the flower box will receive, and only use plants that grow in that environment.
- Watering: Flower boxes don’t allow for deep roots, so they need to have a reliable source of water. You’ll need to consider how to keep them well watered, especially in warmer climate zones.
- Color and Texture: Flower boxes generally look best with a variety of textures and contrasting colors. This highlights the different flowers and provides a “pop” of color.
- Flowering Times: For the best look, you’ll want continuous blooms throughout the season. To achieve this, you may have to “deadhead” the plants. This means pruning, or pinching off, of the old blooms to promote new growth.
- Window Types/Styles: Flower boxes should be mounted below windows that open along the plane of the house. Meaning, windows that won’t hit the flowers upon opening. Hung windows and Sliders won’t interfere with your flowers when open, while a Casement Window or Awning style window couldn’t be opened without destroying the plants.
- Filler, Thriller, and Spiller: This container-garden rule of thumb will almost guarantee a stunning flower box. Varying the heights of the flowering plants adds multidimensional interest to any flower arrangement.
As with any home improvement project, know your limitations. If you don’t have the time or resources to care for them, it may not be for you. Flower boxes are meant to be a positive addition to your home, not a burden. If you are considering adding them, visit your local nursery, where experts can help guide you with plant choices that will work for you.
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