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Window box ideas for absolute beginner

intrinsic70intrinsic70 Posts: 3
in The potting shed
I have a south facing top floor window box in London and want to get something in there asap. I am a total novice so please bear with me. The actual box is concrete/cement and part of the building so I don't think there are major weight concerns. It's about a couple of metres wide but I think it's best if I take it one step at time.
For my sanity I want to be able to see some greenery from the desk where I work so plants should have a bit of height to comfortably meet my eyeline. Flowers aren't essential, greenery all year is crucial, especially in the dreaded dark months. I love succulents, grassy/fern-type plants, Mediterranean plants. I work from home so can manage frequent watering if necessary. Many thanks

Posts

  • LoxleyLoxley Posts: 5,036
    How about groups of Helictotrichon sempervirens, interplanted with Dianthus carthusianorum, Armeria maritima and creeping thyme? You could add Allium senescens glaucum and Tulipa turkestanica bulbs. If you search for "plants for semi extensive green roofs' you'll get some ideas for tough plants that can take a baking and a degree of drought. 

    https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?pid=289
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 82,724
    Hi @intrinsic70  and welcome to the forum 😊 

    Can we have the other dimensions of the window box please?

    You tell us you’re on the top floor, but not how many floors there are … how high up and exposed to wind are you?
    “I am not lost, for I know where I am. But however, where I am may be lost.” Winnie the Pooh







  • Nanny BeachNanny Beach Posts: 8,343
    Also how much sun do you get?
  • intrinsic70intrinsic70 Posts: 3
    Thanks very much - what lovely plants Loxley and the link is very useful. Dove and Nanny, it's a third floor so not a skyscraper but it would be pretty exposed to wind being a wide street with no close buildings opposite. And equally it gets a lot of sun. The short side of the box (or trough rather) is 28cm, the depth is 32 cm. Anything in there would need to be somewhat elevated for me to see it.
    Although I love trailing type plants, they wouldnt work here as anything needs to be very vertically inclined and there's no one to enjoy the plants from outside.
    I don't expect to cover the full two metres width yet but would like perhaps up to a metre to start with
  • PianoplayerPianoplayer Posts: 624
    Hi, some other thoughts from me:
    Sedums (Hylotelephium)
    Potentilla
    Euonymous
  • intrinsic70intrinsic70 Posts: 3
    Thanks pianoplayer, I ezpecially like the euonymous
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