decemberthirty | The art of the window box

One of the many new things that I gained when we bought our house was a pair of window boxes. Despite nearly ten years of apartment living, none of my apartments in either Philadelphia or State College ever had window boxes. I've always thought that they were cute, though, so I'm excited to have them.

Right now, they don't look very different than they did when we bought the house: both the little round shrub and the pale green foliage plant (anyone know what it is?) were planted by the previous owners. The arrangement is a bit stiff and formal for my taste--I'm fond of sprawling, messy gardens--but everything about the previous owners' style was stiffer and more formal than ours. I stuck some pansies in for color and to loosen things up a bit, but I haven't quite been able to bring myself to pull out perfectly healthy plants and do away with them! I guess they may not change much for a while, then.

Nevertheless, I brought the camera with me while out walking through our neighborhood today, and took some photos of some of my favorite window boxes. I'm always interested in what other gardeners do in this highly urban environment, and often impressed by the creativity I see when I pay attention.

I love the mix of greens and all the different textures in this very large box. This may be my favorite of all of them.

Pansies in an iron cage. Set those pansies free! Actually there's something quite visually appealing in the contrast between the soft floppy pansies and the wrought iron.

This tiny window box is laid out symmetrically, like mine are, but I thought the myrtle spilling over in the center made it feel a little more relaxed. I like all the pinks and purples, as well.

Not a window box exactly, but so lovely!

More pansies. I like how bright the orange looks against the soft gray paint.

Fake flowers in your outdoor planters??? Why would you do that??

Daffodils and tulips galore! So beautiful and colorful!

Do you have window boxes? If so, show me!

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oh how lovely! I love seeing your photos! I don't have window boxes, and my garden is too big for me to keep up with, so I don't even bother. (I'm SO lazy with all this housey stuff).

My mother and brother are amazing gardeners, and they're both disappointed that I have no real gardening interest. I would love it, if I could just plant it the way I wanted and then never have to touch it again. ;)

Gardening is definitely not for everybody! I do like growing lots of perennials, though--they're about as close as you can get to just being able to plant it the way you want it and the never touch it again. :)

I am such a fan of window boxes. I really like the type of plants that drape, too and want to sprawl. I really like the color of the outside of your place! That blue-green is lovely! Would you consider taking the contents of the planters and placing them into a different window box or plant pots to put in the garden or outside the front door?

Thanks for the tour!

Glad you enjoyed it! I imagine it looks pretty different from the sort of plants that thrive in your climate.

Your window boxes look cute. Enjoy them! One of the downsides to my traveling is that I couldn't keep up with window boxes even if I had them.

And you're in the Philly area? Not so very far from me here in North Jersey!

Yep, I'm in Philly--not too far at all! In fact, I'm from New York State originally and my parents still live up there, so I drive through Jersey somewhat regularly. Mostly I just pass by the on the turnpike, though, so I wouldn't say I know the area...

I'm from NYS originally, too! Born in Queens, but grew up in Putnam County (Mahopac, to be exact). Went to college in Elmira NY and have close friends in the Oneida area.

Well, what do you know! I grew up in Albany (where my parents still live) but my mother's family is from the Syracuse area, so I've also spent a fair amount of time in CNY and the western Adirondacks. I love it up there!

They're adorable! I've never lived anywhere that had window boxes, your photos make me want some now :-)

Thanks! I'm impressed by what some of the people in my neighborhood have managed to do with theirs.

Very cute! I think window boxes look especially cool in that townhouse type setting. And your exterior there looks so well cared for - nice fresh bright colors, love the blue.

It's very charming, the whole city meets garden vibe with the brick fronts and pretty window boxes :)

Thanks! I can't really take credit for the well maintained exterior of our house--the previous owners took good care of it. :)

The art of the window box

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