Flower Box Ideas for the Creative (And Practical) Gardener

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Ah, flowers. Not only are they pretty to look at, but a lot of them play a crucial part in our ecosystem without us even knowing it. (Most of the time, that is.) So whether you’re just looking to bring some color to your outdoor decor or giving a helping hand in saving the bees, we know you want to use the best flower box ideas.

But with so many plant species, box designs, and wildlife to consider, where would you even start? Don’t worry about it, because it’s really not that complicated once you have all your ducks in a row and all your seeds are sown.

Flower Box Who?

If you want to apply some flower box ideas to your home, you should probably know what a flower box is. A flower box is another name for a window box, which is a planter but is often confused with a popular gift-giving trend.

The gift-giving trend is simply giving someone a box of neatly arranged cut flowers. The flower boxes we’re talking about can attach to your windows or simply stand alone.

And before you can pretty up your flower boxes, you need to take proper care of them. But the care depends on what kind of flowers and plant life you put inside, and what the box itself is made out of. For wooden flower boxes, you may want to consider waterproofing it, if it doesn’t come that way.

For metal boxes, you want them to be clean and rust-free. But for both of these options, you want them to have good drainage. Drainage is important because additional water trapped at the bottom of your flower box can cause your plant’s roots to rot, and even damage wooden boxes. But that’s not the only important factor to flower box care.

Location, Location, Location

Believe it or not, something as trivial as where you place your flower boxes can factor into how well they do. This all depends on what kind of plants you plan of putting in your flower boxes, as well as your climate.

If you have a lot of windows facing where the sun hits your house the most, choose plants that love the sun. If your windows hardly get any sun, choose some plants that are a little lower-key. It’s all about how your home is built, where your windows are, and how much sun your plants should get.

However, no matter where your windows face, we must give you this little slice of gardening advice. If you don’t have gutters, make sure that when it rains the water doesn’t come crashing down onto your plants, because this will kill them. Make sure your flower boxes aren’t directly under the slant of your roof.

Planning Out Your Flower Box Ideas

There are some other things to keep in mind when executing your flower box ideas. Let’s begin with your climate. Is it chilly or hot where you live? What’s the time of year? Does it rain often or is it a near-constant dry spell?

These are the things you need to keep in mind, so your flower box ideas are successful instead of withered and gray.

Another important factor is allergies. Make sure no one in your house is allergic to any flowers you may be planting. And don’t forget to do your research on what plants and flowers are toxic to dogs and cats. Some of those flowers may be pretty, but they’re not worth your pet’s life.

Now that we have all of that out of the way, it’s time for the cutest and most practical flower box ideas we could find!

Flower boxes that are all the buzz

If you didn’t already know, many types of bees are endangered due to global warming, loss of habitat, and pesticides. Bees are essential because they pollinate everything; therefore, they have a hand supporting every living thing on our planet.

One way you can help is by planting a bee-friendly garden — or flower box!

Our cute, fuzzy, pollinating friends are drawn to a beautiful, blooming flower box filled with lots of brightly colored flowers that both you and the bees will enjoy! A combination of any of the following will do.

  • Lavender
  • Poppies
  • Black-eyed Susans
  • Mint
  • Lantana
  • Snapdragons
  • Pale purple coneflowers

With a wide range of colors and scents, your home will have lovely pops of color while helping to save the bees. That’s a win/win if we’ve ever seen one!

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Something to tweet about

Another few flower box ideas for our tiny flying pals involve hummingbirds! Hummingbirds are adorable little friends that feed solely on nectar, and having them in and around your garden is always a treat. Some pretty flowers that will bring them your way are:

  • Petunias
  • Pincushion flower
  • Catmint
  • Iris
  • Coral bells
  • Zinnias

Some of the plants here, like the zinnia, for example, come in lots of different colors. Matching them up with a color scheme or theme will not only be easy, but you’ll be keeping your feathered friends fed.

Spicing it up

Another pretty and practical bit of inspiration for your flower box ideas is an herb box. Herbs are wonderful to grow right outside your window because you can simply open your window and grab a sprig of whatever you need.

If you’re not exactly big on cooking, or you’re just beginning to experiment with homegrown herbs, choose a few easily grown and cared for herbs that you know you’ll enjoy. Some great picks are:

  • Rosemary
  • Oregano
  • Basil
  • Thyme
  • Chamomile

Not only can you dress your dishes, but you can also grow plants like chamomile to make your own tea at home! And don’t let our choices limit you! Branch out, learn what you like, and grow a little bit of flavor right outside your kitchen window.

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Say “hi” to cacti

Now all these flowers sound nice, but for hotter, drier climates where the heat just doesn’t stop requires something much hardier. If you’re living in a desert or just the South, cacti and succulents may be the best, easy-care option for you.

But if your hat is still hung on flowers, don’t worry a bit! There are colorful cactuses and flowering cacti out there. Some great options are:

  • The prickly pear cactus
  • Aloe vera
  • Hedgehog cacti
  • The Cholla cactus

But keep in mind that just because these plants can survive in hotter climates, it doesn’t mean that they don’t need water at all. There’s a difference between surviving and thriving. So remember to check the tags on how to care for your cactuses!

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Time to Refill the Watering Can

Now that your boxes are up, your flowers are planted, and your flower box ideas have been executed, take a step back and admire your work! Your house should have a few more pops of color after you finish planting, and hopefully a little more life, too.

Whatever color scheme you went with, or the types of herbs you’ve grown, or if your home attracts bees, butterflies or hummingbirds, we hope your flower box ideas turned out nicely.

What sort of plants did you choose for your boxes? Do you have any flower box ideas you’d like to share? Tell us about it in the comments below! Don’t forget to water your plants and best of luck in your gardening adventures!

Last update on 2022-01-27 at 20:02 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

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