Window Box Ideas

[basketcase]

Hope this is in the right place.

My Little Poppet is a student at Glasgow Uni and she's just moved to a new flat with a nice sized windowledge and would like a window box. I think it's West-facing, so does get some sun.

I think she could probably have a 3ft x 1ft box, so there's a fair bit of room. Obviously the plants will have to be fairly hardy and wind/rain/drought/cold resistant. She'd like a lavendar - which seems a good start.

My thoughts are to plant a few 'permanent' plants at intervals - maybe lavendar, mint, ivy, something evergreen and/or chives - and put in pots that can be changed throughout the year so that there'll be some colour. Maybe I could start with autumn flowering bulbs or something.

All ideas gratefully received.

[louisesgarden]

I have tumbling toms in mine, they do get some funny looks when people walk past !

[HeyWayne]

I think as she's a student 'erbs are the obvious choice.

[Herbie]

Pansies will give a bit of colour and cheer through the winter months. Mini daff's are quite nice for the spring.

[piskieinboots]

SD reckons my Achocha looks like ''erbs' and says he's jolly pleased he isn't staying around and won't be back until they are gone

[basketcase]

I think as she's a student 'erbs are the obvious choice.

Her thoughts too! She wants lavendar and mint. At some stage I'll give her some borage (ie when I've grown it myself!) - for the Pimms

Any other ideas for what she and Glasgow weather can't kill between them?

[basketcase]

Pansies will give a bit of colour and cheer through the winter months. Mini daff's are quite nice for the spring.

Thanks Herbie - though I know she doesn't like pansies. But she's definitely getting daffodils! No doubt I'll get a bunch for Mother's Day!

[Herbie]

You could try rosemary i think its pretty hardy and goes well with lamb and mint

[Two_Sheds]

Rosemary gets too big for a window box.
You'd have to choose your lavender carefully too ... Dwarf Munstead would be good.

Chives are ideal, coriander, winter lettuce ... what about some chocolate mint?
If you're having an "edible" box, I wouldn't put ivy in, but mint will trail in much the same way.

[basketcase]

Rosemary gets too big for a window box.
You'd have to choose your lavender carefully too ... Dwarf Munstead would be good.

Chives are ideal, coriander, winter lettuce ... what about some chocolate mint?
If you're having an "edible" box, I wouldn't put ivy in, but mint will trail in much the same way.

Thanks for the ideas people!

I thought Rosemary might get a tad large (and she's veggie - so wash your mouth out re the lamb, herbie! )

Chives are a really good idea, as is winter lettuce. The box isn't strictly edible (I'm going to put bulbs/flowers in it for colour).

Just a couple more questions:
1) Does chocolate mint taste of choclate, or just smell that way? And (sub-question!) can it be used like ordinary mint?
2) Are these herbs evergreen? That's why I thought ivy - somethng would be alive in autumn/winter!

[Two_Sheds]

[QUOTE=basketcase;502214]
1) Does chocolate mint taste of choclate, or just smell that way? just smells that way

And (sub-question!) can it be used like ordinary mint? yes


2) Are these herbs evergreen? no: mint & chives are herbacious perennials (die in winter, come back in spring). Coriander is annual, but self-seeds if you let it. As do chives


tbh, there isn't much that is green and lovely in winter

[hamsterqueen]

garlic chives are good, especially in stir fries

[basketcase]

[QUOTE=Two_Sheds;502227]

1) Does chocolate mint taste of choclate, or just smell that way? just smells that way

And (sub-question!) can it be used like ordinary mint? yes


2) Are these herbs evergreen? no: mint & chives are herbacious perennials (die in winter, come back in spring). Coriander is annual, but self-seeds if you let it. As do chives


tbh, there isn't much that is green and lovely in winter

I thought most of this would be the case. Darn!

She'll just have to have ivy and lots of changeable pots, so that the herbs can be exchanged for flowers during the off-season. Pity...