Blogs

This time of year, I like to fill my window boxes and containers with plants that will thrive in the cool and cold of the next few months – some will last throughout the year.  There are wonderful hardy plants in a variety of colors and textures to play with, and a great (safe) rule of thumb is to select plants that are hardy to one to two zones colder than your region (I live in Pennsylvania and we have at least 6 zones.)

-Boxwood:  The standard is the English Boxwood, which is a favorite for its hardiness and deep green color.  I also like many of the Japanese Boxwood varieties such as Green Beauty and Morris Dwarf and Korean Wintergreen boxwood for window boxes.

-Ornamental Grasses add height and color to all types of containers.  Try the Pink Muhly, Ruby Grass or Phormium for dramatic shades of reds and pinks.

-Ornamental Cabbage and Kale provide great texture and color.  These robust plants can even take on greater color after frost which is quite unique and fun to wait for.

-Fall Blooming Perennials are autumnal treasures.  For color I love Hardy Mums, Tall and Purpletop Verbena, Wood Asters and Sedum. 

I like to add decorative pieces in too – branches of Curly Willow, sprigs of Bittersweet, Magnolia and White Birch twigs.  And you can’t go wrong with my all time favorite mix of cut evergreens, boxwood and winter berries in window boxes and containers – this creates a magnificent transition into the winter months.  Everything is better when you add a bit of your personality – it truly shows!   

- Barbara