Easy Recipes for Window Boxes in Shade

Maximize the Power of Pink

Alternate colors -- hot pink and pale pink, then more of the same -- for heightened visual interest in a long, narrow space.

A. Impatiens 'Accent Pink'
B. Impatiens 'Pink Swirl'
C. Dichondra 'Silver Falls'

Create a Bold Mix
More is often better in containers, particularly in arrangements such as this, where a variety of foliage, blooms, and plant sizes come into play.
A. Impatiens 'Accent Pink Picotee'
B. Hosta 'Golden Tiara'
C. Jacob's Ladder (Polemonium 'Brise d'Anjou')
D. Fuchsia 'Thalia'
E. Ground ivy (Glechoma hederacea 'Variegata')
F. Sweet potato vine (Ipomoea batatas 'Sweet Caroline Bronze') 
G. Plectranthus 'Zulu Wonder'
H. Vinca major 'Variegata'

 

Transition Through the Seasons

Impatiens are a container garden favorite, and for good reason: They're long bloomers, they have plenty of color variety, and the foliage stays a deep green. They're a great pick to provide summer color after springtime violas fade.

A. Impatiens 'Dazzler Pink
B. Viola 'Sorbet Blue Babyface' 

Add Lots of Bold Color

A swath of impatiens cuts a pretty picture; just a few accent plants -- in orange and white -- add a visual break to a simple window box.

A. Impatiens (Impatiens 'Midnight Rose')
B. Vinca (Catharanthus 'Cora White')
C. Snapdragon (Antirrhinum 'Bells White')
D. Tuberous begonia (Begonia 'Nonstop Orange')

Keep It Simple

Looking for an easy way to arrange plants in a window box? Select three different varieties -- here, coleus for height, begonias for color, and ivy for length -- and place one along the back, the second in the middle, and the third on the edge.

A. Wax begonia (Begonia 'Prelude Pink')

B. Coleus (Solenstromum 'Dappled Apple')
C. Ivy (Hedera helix 'Eva') 

 

Soften the Box with Trailers

Create an intriguing look by mixing a couple of different flowers that look alike. Here, geraniums and impatiens fill out the window box with pale pink blooms.

A. Vinca major 'Variegata'
B. Geranium (Pelargonium 'Bullseye Light Pink')
C. Impatiens 'Accent Pink Picotee'

 

Create a Sense of Luxury

Beauty sometimes equals simplicity, as with this container, filled with the blooms of double impatiens with their lush, roselike blooms

A. Impatiens Fiesta Salsa Red 

Fill It with Color

The dainty petals of impatiens gather in this overflowing window box. For a full planting, add a few more plants to fill in any gaps.

A. Impatiens 'Super Elfin Blush'
B. Impatiens 'Pink Swirl

 

Select Old-Fashioned Favorites

Fringy foliage of deep green asparagus fern cascades below the lush blooms of begonias. The arrangement softens the exterior shake siding.

A. Asparagus fern (Asparagus sprengeri)
B. Tuberous begonia (Begonia 'Go-Go White

 

Brighten a View

Instead of three different plants, choose three different colors of the same plants. Here, red, white, and hot pink impatiens fill a window box and provide a more cheerful view than the wall of dogwood foliage.

A. Impatiens 'Accent Watermelon
B. Impatiens 'Accent White'
C. Impatiens 'Accent Violet