With so many reasons to have a window garden, why not consider one for your home today? Use beautiful plants to creatively hide a distasteful view or bring the outdoors inside on a cold winter's day. That is really just the beginning regarding the multitude of ways a window garden will enhance your house, apartment, condo, and life.
Types of Gardens for your Window
When it comes to window gardens you have two basic options, inside or outside. Of course, you can even do both. Consider the follow ideas for your windows:
- Window Box - Usually attached to the side of your home or windowsill, these sturdy boxes allow plants to easily grow right up into your window's view.
- Window Ledge - If your windows naturally have a large ledge or sill, adding some charming planters will instantly create a miniature garden.
- Hanging Baskets - Attach a strong hook either inside or outside your window and hang a large basket filled with gorgeous blooms.
- Garden Window - Specialized window inserts that create a miniature greenhouse out of a standard window.
- Plant Shelves - Whether it is a freestanding bookshelf in front of a large picture window or a large ledge strung up outside by chains, the shelf allows for ample room to generate a striking view of foliage.
Window gardens don't have to be only contained to the window. Construct a garden on a patio or roof. Even consider designing a mock window with plants on an unattractive wall or fence. Simply frame a "window" with no glass and hang a window box for an instant window garden.
Selecting Plants
Before even beginning your search for plants, consider the following:
- How much sunlight does your window receive?
- Is this an indoor or outdoor garden?
- What size plants will I need?
- How easy will it be to water?
- Will this be a seasonal or year-round garden?
Once you have the answers to these questions, you are ready to set off for the local nursery or garden catalog. Ultimately, most plants will work in a window setting, as long as the size of the plant does not exceed the container and window space. For the ultimate presentation, you will want to select plants that also have a long season of interest. Good examples of this are plants with long flowering periods, evergreens, and planned arrangements that balance the interest over time.
When shopping, also keep in mind that your plants will need to share the same soil and conditions. For your sanity and plant health, arrange your plants by similar requirements of fertilizer, water, soil types, and sun.
Herb Window Gardens
Whether you keep them inside or outside, herbs are perfect for a window in the kitchen. A simple snip and you are on your way to freshly seasoned meals and tasty dishes. Kitchen standard herbs can include:
- Parsley
- Chives
- Basil
- Thyme
- Mint
Houseplants
Inside window gardens are a perfect spot for most houseplants. They can also be moved outside in the summer with a window box or ledge. If Bonsai is your hobby, show off your creation in a featured window of your home.
Flower Gardens
Nothing livens up a view more than the color of fresh flowers. Try perennials for the one time planting, bulbs for their spring glory, or annuals for their long lasting color. Suggested container flowers include:
- Petunia
- Dwarf Marguerites
- Primroses
- Geraniums
- Pansies
- Violas
- Fuchsias
- Wildflowers
Hanging Gardens
If your window garden hangs, then a trailing plant is a necessity. Some wonderful options include:
- Lantana
- Ivy Geranium
- Verbena
- Lobelia
Succulents
Why not try a succulent or cactus garden in a window. Both work well indoors and outdoors. Maintenance is usually low for these plant types, which will help for those hard to reach window areas.
Vegetable Gardens
Need a tomato, just reach out and grab one. Planting miniature vegetable varieties in a window garden will allow even the most hardcore city dwellers an opportunity to grow their own crops.
Wildlife Gardens
If you love to watch things that fly in your yard, what better spot than your window? Plant a window garden to attract birds, hummingbirds, and butterflies naturally to your doorstep.
Evergreens
Consider a few winter hardy plants and evergreens to add to your window arrangement. They will help to keep the interest going year-round and add life to the winter's view. Some good options include:
- Dwarf Conifers
- Ferns
- Evergreen Grasses
Scented Plants
There is no better place to put lovely scented plants than near a window. Open up and let in the natural fragrance into your home. Depending on your preference, herbs or fragrant flowers added to your window garden are guaranteed to delight your senses.
Putting Together Your Window Garden
Now you have the type and the plants, the next step is creating it. The finished look should complement the style of the window's surroundings. Colors, textures, and overall design will be important to achieve a balanced look. Sturdiness is another important consideration, as plants in containers with wet soil can be quite heavy. Make sure the spot is relatively easy to water, as all potted plants need more water than ground-bound gardens. Lastly, find the perfect spot where a garden would create a lovely oasis in your home and let it grow. And when you're ready to share the Instagram-worthy images of your window gardening efforts, get inspired with more than 150 garden captions.
