Farmhouse Glam
Mixing farmhouse, glam, and industrial elements is just so clever and cool! Fill a windowbox to overflow with cut boughs of various evergreens (this is a mix of cedar, pine, and fir). Slip in a few stems of berries. Then glam it up with a metal hoop around which sparkle lights are twined. (The hoop is from a wine barrel planter, but you could use metal bed edging bent into a loop). Genius hack! How to here.
Urban Easy
If you like your outdoor decor to be classic and elegant, but also unexpected, try this understated but lovely combo. Sheared boxwood cones (try Wee Willie) are surrounded by Japanese Skimmia. This is a pretty, evergreen shrub (zones 7 -9) that flowers in early spring. You’ll get the wintery contrast of leaves and cones now, with the promise of blooms to follow.
Cottage Casual
Lush with overflowing layers of cut greenery, this windowbox is full of exciting steal-me ideas. Branches are stood upright in the back while others are inserted horizontally. This creates a trough into which a pile of fresh, red apples are balanced. Capping it off are pinecones and branches of winterberry. True, apples might attract deer, but maybe that’s okay!
Warm Welcome
Where warmer temperatures and drier conditions make seasonal displays of cut evergreens a non-starter, create a winter windowbox. One that's planted with lots of greenery in shades from emerald to lime and add a few seasonal touches. Here a bed of ivy (looks great year round) is tricked-out with white cyclamen. As well as potted-up yellow peppers and a few winter pansies. Can’t find peppers? Swap in fresh citrus such as kumquats. We think this one’s made for twinkle lights!
Classic with a Twist
Magnolia leaves have become a popular alternative to conifer cuttings for garlands and wreathes. However, even adding just a few to a traditional winter windowbox freshens-up the idea. Starting with balsam branches, add winterberry stems,and lots of magnolia leaves. As the season progresses, remove the berries, and enjoy the mixed textures of the greens until spring.
Modern Forest
There are no rules that you have to use red in a winter windowbox! These juniper spirals with golden-leafed cypress sheared balls in terra cotta pots are contemporary. They're just-right scaled for a smaller space. The pots are wrapped in sheets of birch bark for a winter look. A touch of clipped greens under and shiny ornaments around makes it seasonal.
Formal Elegance
For a classic (and classy, English way) winter display that's never going to go out of style, try this. Plant a trio of clipped dwarf English boxwoods in a galvanized steel powder coated black windowbox. (Or, coat a simple wooden box with flat exterior paint). Top soil with a mulch of white pebbles and add a holiday touch with a few red cyclamen for color. (Other cold-season annuals such as pansies work here too!).
Image Credits:
Top: deborahsilver.com; 2. theimpatientgardener.com; 3. window-box-company.uk.com; 4. original source unknown; 5. GAP Photos/Jerry Harpur – Design: Susie Ind; 6. prettypinktulips.com; 7. original source unknown; 7. londonplanters.com