Flowers for a large window box and planter - help!

[nkereina]

The other garden thread got me thinking that this might be a good resource to tap other people's knowledge! Plus I've got spring fever

We added a decent size window box to the front of our house two years ago. The first year I did a number of vinca vines across the front with different colored petunias. Last year I kept the petunias and did a small ornamental grass on the sides. Wasn't fully satisfied with either look, so looking for suggestions on easy to find flowers/vines/greenery that I should be able to find at my local nurseries this spring. I want something that will fill out well - that's been my biggest challenge. The window box is shaded the morning, but gets strong direct sunlight mid-late afternoon.

Similar question for the large planter I keep on my front step. I've done geraniums (hate the way they look), and petunias that grew into monsters last year and overtook my front step like vines. I want something that will grow full and outward/over the planter as opposed to straight upward and going in every which direction. Same type of sunlight, but maybe a bit more shade than the window box.

Would love any suggestions! Thanks!!!

 

[APiratesLifeForMe2]

For the window box, I love sweet potato vines for something that spills over the container and sun tolerant begonias for color (these can be harder to find). For your planter on the porch have you considered coleus? It will grow tall and full but isn't flowering, just colorful leaves of many varieties. Usually I mix one coleus with petunias around them but I like things to spill outward and over my steps.

 

[LBIJim]

You might want to consider annual vinca flowers (periwinkle). These are different than vinca vines. They fill in rapidly, require little care, (no deadheading spent flowers, just keep them watered and fertilize once or twice), they keep blooming all summer until frost, and are very attractive. They like sun but can easily tolerate some shade.
I like mixing red, pink, and white ones.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

The other garden thread got me thinking that this might be a good resource to tap other people's knowledge! Plus I've got spring fever

We added a decent size window box to the front of our house two years ago. The first year I did a number of vinca vines across the front with different colored petunias. Last year I kept the petunias and did a small ornamental grass on the sides. Wasn't fully satisfied with either look, so looking for suggestions on easy to find flowers/vines/greenery that I should be able to find at my local nurseries this spring. I want something that will fill out well - that's been my biggest challenge. The window box is shaded the morning, but gets strong direct sunlight mid-late afternoon.

Similar question for the large planter I keep on my front step. I've done geraniums (hate the way they look), and petunias that grew into monsters last year and overtook my front step like vines. I want something that will grow full and outward/over the planter as opposed to straight upward and going in every which direction. Same type of sunlight, but maybe a bit more shade than the window box.

Would love any suggestions! Thanks!!!

I have a plenty of suggestions since this is what I do, I build containers at a nursery. Basically you go by the formula of "thriller, filler, spiller" when planting containers.

One of our standards is a Croton, blue wave petunias, lime green potato vine and lantana. It is a nice mix of color. You can trim the potato vine back as much as you like if it gets unruly.

PP suggested some coleus, just make sure to get the "sun coleus", like "red head" if you want to use that as your "thriller".

As far as vinca, you have the annual vinca as a PP suggested, in addition they do have a trailing annual vinca however color choices are more limited for that plant. Problem there is they come out later since they do not like the cool weather of spring.

You can also add calibrachoa or "million bells" (mini petunias) as an additional spiller, they do need to be kept watered so mixing them with vinca is not a good plan, since vinca prefer the dry side.

Those are a few ideas from me.

 

[Oodalally13]

What about Moss Rose? I love planting it to spill out of containers.

 

[NewRVLady]

Vinca is VERY good for hanging baskets too- they like to be DRY....overwatering kills em

 

[The Mystery Machine]

What about Moss Rose? I love planting it to spill out of containers.

Moss Rose is great, they prefer the dry side.

Lantana is also a dry side plant and my personal favorite at the moment. Comes in all colors. Also deer resistant for those of you that have that issue. If you plant it in the ground, plant in mass since it does not spread out to fast.

Other fun spillers are asparagus fern, bacopa, lobelia, trailing angelonia, the perennial creeping jenny (use instead of potato vine if you are going for a English cottage look), dichondra (has a silver look, no flowers).

 

[nkereina]

THANK YOU ALL!!!! Lots of great ideas here and I wrote them all down so I can google later Anxious for all the snow to be gone so I can get these going!! Thanks again!!!

 

[The Mystery Machine]

THANK YOU ALL!!!! Lots of great ideas here and I wrote them all down so I can google later Anxious for all the snow to be gone so I can get these going!! Thanks again!!!

You are welcome. There are more things, lol.

Today (at home), I am planting a "salad bowl" container. I have 2 window box planters and will be putting in romaine lettuce, spinach, and some pansies for color.

Oh, here is a pic...now this was just something I threw together last summer with zinnias (tall flowers), however you can see the lantana (small pinkish flowers) and the lime green potato vine and how prolific it can be. Not my best work, lol.

 

[nkereina]

@The Mystery Machine -- that looks awesome!! I like the tall flowers. I have some great ideas now. Thanks again!

 

[minnie mum]

Wow, did you feed that potato vine steroids? I wish I could bet mine to look that full. Really like the color combination.

 

[Wishing on a star]

I just love that first bright pink zinnia!

I do like bright geraniums for full sun.
But, I have found that some colors and varieties grow and bloom better than others.
They can be more picky than one might think!
Can't over-water, and I am constantly cutting back the spent stems/blooms.

I want to do 'Tropical' this year on my deck.
That should be fun!
We had a beautiful cover put over the biggest part of our deck, outside the sliding door from the dining area.
I am going to miss seeing my colorful flowers right outside that door.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Wow, did you feed that potato vine steroids? I wish I could bet mine to look that full. Really like the color combination.

No steroids, lol, just some water soluble fertilizer, every so often.

That type is 'Marguerite'.

 

[NewRVLady]

I totally LOVE this combo!!!

You are welcome. There are more things, lol.

Today (at home), I am planting a "salad bowl" container. I have 2 window box planters and will be putting in romaine lettuce, spinach, and some pansies for color.

Oh, here is a pic...now this was just something I threw together last summer with zinnias (tall flowers), however you can see the lantana (small pinkish flowers) and the lime green potato vine and how prolific it can be. Not my best work, lol.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I totally LOVE this combo!!!

Thanks. Not my favorite though as I am not too much into pinks. It really needs a darker color with it.

Blue, orange, and lime green can really make a striking color combo. I will be planting more. So, I will post more pics later.

 

[North of Mouse]

The other garden thread got me thinking that this might be a good resource to tap other people's knowledge! Plus I've got spring fever

We added a decent size window box to the front of our house two years ago. The first year I did a number of vinca vines across the front with different colored petunias. Last year I kept the petunias and did a small ornamental grass on the sides. Wasn't fully satisfied with either look, so looking for suggestions on easy to find flowers/vines/greenery that I should be able to find at my local nurseries this spring. I want something that will fill out well - that's been my biggest challenge. The window box is shaded the morning, but gets strong direct sunlight mid-late afternoon.

Similar question for the large planter I keep on my front step. I've done geraniums (hate the way they look), and petunias that grew into monsters last year and overtook my front step like vines. I want something that will grow full and outward/over the planter as opposed to straight upward and going in every which direction. Same type of sunlight, but maybe a bit more shade than the window box.

Would love any suggestions! Thanks!!!

Did not read any replies, so this may have been suggested. Wax Begonias! My favorite hot weather annual - blooms from 'can' until 'can't'!! Loves sun, moisture, fertilizer. Easy to grow - blooms constantly, and has lovely foliage. Fills out containers beautifully - I even plant them in huge 'strawberry' pots - they fill out and look like a 'tree' - no container showing! Colors are red, pink, white - did I say they are beautiful!! LOL Love to garden!!

Impatiens are also a gorgeous well rounded flower, but hot sun (except for special varieties) can do them in. Spider plants are pretty to put in hanging planters as edge fillers and to dangle down. Good luck!

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Did not read any replies, so this may have been suggested. Wax Begonias! My favorite hot weather annual - blooms from 'can' until 'can't'!! Loves sun, moisture, fertilizer. Easy to grow - blooms constantly, and has lovely foliage. Fills out containers beautifully - I even plant them in huge 'strawberry' pots - they fill out and look like a 'tree' - no container showing! Colors are red, pink, white - did I say they are beautiful!! LOL Love to garden!!

Impatiens are also a gorgeous well rounded flower, but hot sun (except for special varieties) can do them in. Spider plants are pretty to put in hanging planters as edge fillers and to dangle down. Good luck!

Begonias are a good choice as well. Here are my tips for using them and more varieties.

Pick the darker color leaf for sun and the bright green for shade. That being said no matter what leaf color you pick will do well in sun or shade. It is just that the bright green leaf will turn darker in the sun, it will not kill it but it is best suited for shade.

Also, look beyond the standard wax begonias for larger varieties. These varieties are of the "Angel Wing" or "Dragon Wing" begonias. The ultimate is called "The Whopper" is suited for a large container.

The "Angel Wing" & "Dragon Wing" begonias are suited for containers, window boxes, and hanging baskets.

 

[denisem]

I'm another fan of using colored coleus, it can be just as striking as flowers and there are full sun varieties. Here's a combo I planted a few years ago with "Dipt in Wine" and "Golda" coleus along with "Black Heart" sweet potato vine.

Here's another with the prolific "Marguerite" sweet potato vine and a couple of unnamed big box nursery coleus:

 

[7165red]

You are welcome. There are more things, lol.

Today (at home), I am planting a "salad bowl" container. I have 2 window box planters and will be putting in romaine lettuce, spinach, and some pansies for color.

Oh, here is a pic...now this was just something I threw together last summer with zinnias (tall flowers), however you can see the lantana (small pinkish flowers) and the lime green potato vine and how prolific it can be. Not my best work, lol.

 

[7165red]

Your planter is beautiful. If it's not too much trouble can I have the name of the green plants and the pretty color flowers.