Design a Window Box

Brighten up your dull windersill by designing a window box full of flowering and foliage plants.

Many plants will thrive in a rectangular window box, but if you want an ever-changing display, try planting a selection of permanent bulbs for year interest, including annual flowers, which can always be replaced as they fade. A large number of garden centres stock a good range of annuals, and although there is a wider variety during spring and summer, you should have no problem finding plants to grow in autumn and winter.

Choosing you plants:
There is a great range of plants that do well in window boxes. To narrow down the selection, first take into account where it will be placed - is it sunny or shady, sheltered or exposed? High exposed areas have their own problems as the wind sucks moisture from the air, so look at plants adapted to dry conditions that minimise water loss from their leaves.

For summer planting schemes consider scented plants, as they will send perfume through open windows. Another option is growing vegetables and herbs for a kitchen window box.

In terms of the design of the box, consider what effect you want - is it a mass of single variety or a symmetrical structure? An easy rule of thumb is to use an odd number of plants, and think of planting in terms of triangles - something with an evergreen structure flanked by shorter flowers always works well.

How to do it:
1. Choose a container with drainage holes and cover them from the inside with a layer made up of broken terracotta pots. Known as crocks, this layer prevents the draignage holes becoming clogged up with compost and the soil from falling out.

2. Fill the box with compost to the level of the bases of your largest pots - aim to leave a 2cm (0.7in) gap between the top of the compost and the rim of the pot.

3. Then, with the plants still in their pots, arrange them in the window box making sure that the taller plants are at the back and trailing plants at the front.

4. When you're happy with the display, knock them out of their pots and put into position.

5. Don't pack plants in too tightly as it creates ideal conditions for diseases to flourish. Fill in the gaps with compost, firm down and water.

Aftercare
Place your window box on a deep ledge or fix to wall brackets. Water to keep just moist, usually once a day during summer and autumn. Give the plants a boost once a week when they're established by adding liquid fertiliser to a watering can. Keep plants tidy by removing yellowing leaves and deadheading spent flowers.

Plants to try for a sunny spot:
Nasturtium - attractive leaves, edible flowers.Petunias - both upright and trailing varieties.
Helichrysum petiolare - it's silver-grey foliage is a lovely foil to brught flowers.
Ivy - try one of the more delicate variegated types.
Pelargonium - survives even on windswept highrise balconies.

Plants to try for shady windowsills:
Busy Lizzies
Fuchsia
Begonia - brilliant for pure shots of colour
Hosta - shorter and more compact varieties make an elegant box
Ferns
Ivy
Cyclamen - a winter staple
Skimmia Japonica