Sweet Potato Vine
The lush foliage of sweet potato vine comes in many colors, making it a surefire win for any window box. Consider getting the lime green 'Margarita', the deep purple 'Sweetheart', or the gray/green/pink 'Tricolor' varieties—all of which are low maintenance and easy to grow.Available onEtsy; $14.99 for one one-gallon plant.
Related:10 Foolproof Flowers Anyone Can Grow
Coleus
Abounding with colorful foliage, coleus comes in both sun and shade varieties. Its bushy appearance makes coleus a great filler and accent plant, although bold varieties like 'Chocolate Covered Cherry' and 'Kong Red' are showy enough to be the main event in a window box.Available onBurpee; $7.29 for 25 seeds and $25.99 for six plants.
Petunias
Petunias are summer’s workhorse, continuously pumping out vibrant blooms in the season’s harshest heat. The annuals come in shades of white, red, pink, and purple—and you can even find striped, speckled, and fringed varieties. ConsiderPetunia axillaris,or wild white petunia, if you’d like a bushy plant, or opt instead for cascading Wave or Surfinia petunias, which will spill exuberantly over the edge of your window box.Available onBurpee; $22.99 for four plants.
Related:10 Fast-Growing Plants for (Almost) Instant Curb Appeal
Creeping Jenny
Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia),也被称为珍珠菜,是一个强有力的地面cover that's also stunning in window boxes. Available in shades of green and gold, its densely packed, rounded leaves cascade from planters and look very much like trailing vines.Available onAmazon; $11.49 for a 4.5 in. quart.
Dusty Miller
Senecio cineraria,commonly known as dusty miller, has textured silver foliage that serves as a dazzling contrast to colorful blooms. The ‘Silver Dust’ cultivar grows 12 to 18 inches, while the ‘Silver Lace’ and ‘Cirrus’ varieties reach heights of six to eight inches. Dusty miller is also drought-tolerant and easy to maintain, making it a safe option for those who lack a green thumb.Available onAmazon; $14.99 for three plants.
Fuchsia
WhileFuchsia magellanicais typically used in hanging baskets, its colorful flowers make it a welcome addition to any container garden. Most varieties of fuchsia love the shade, so as long as you avoid putting your window box in full sun, the plant will reward you all season long with extravagant purple and pink blossoms.Available onEtsy; $16.19 for one plant.
Impatiens
To achieve luscious color in a deeply shaded window box, give impatiens a try. The most common variety in the United States,Impatiens walleriana,is easy to maintain, grows well in containers, and comes in a wide range of colors like pink, red, purple, orange, and yellow.Available onBurpee; $6.29 for 30 seeds and $25.99 for 12 plants.
Related:15 No-Effort Plants for a Foolproof Landscape
Snapdragon
With flashy tall spikes covered in lavish blooms, snapdragon is an eye-catching addition to any window box. Summer snapdragon (Angelonia angustifolia) grows 12 to 18 inches, while common snapdragon (Antirrhinum majus) can grow anywhere from four inches to three feet. Both are readily available to home gardeners across the country.Available onBurpee; $5.99 for 50 seeds and $24.99 for 12 plants.
Related:10 Ways to Weather-Proof Your Garden
Verbena
Sun-loving verbena lends a cascading appearance to window boxes and other containers. The plant comes in a variety of colors, including the 'Violet Ice' cultivar, which boasts bright purple blooms, and 'Candy Cane', which, just as you’d expect, sports red and white stripes.Available onBurpee; $19.99 for three plants.
Variegated Ivy
Hedera helix“Variegata”,也被称为常春藤组合成的斑叶,繁荣in almost any level of light and tolerates drought to boot. The plant will flow over the edges of a window box and provide a leafy contrast to vivid blooms.Available onBurpee; $10.49 for one plant.
Licorice Plant
Homeowners often choose licorice plant (Helichrysum petiolare) for window boxes because of its unique felted foliage. The cultivar 'White Licorice' is actually silver-white, while 'Lemon Licorice' is a buttery yellow—and both make a striking counterpoint to richly colored blooms.Available onEtsy; $10.95 for a one plant.
Ornamental Grass
Ornamental grasses add sensational height, color, and texture to a window box. Choose a grass likePennisetum setaceum‘Fireworks,’ which has delicately frothy fronds and a vibrant purplish-pink color, to pair with understated flowers and trailing greenery.Available onEtsy; $10.95 for three plants.
Related:15 Good-Looking Ornamental Grasses to Spruce up Your Outdoors
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