Full shade plants for window boxes

Window boxes oh my

Okay so you no way know how I said I was sorta going to tackle the front porch? Well, I wasn't even planning to tackle window boxes yet but then I saw these gorgeous ones at the garden center, ridiculously discounted no kidding because, apparently, everyone wants sunshiney stuff. And my porch is…well, let’s just say "full shade" is an understatement. It’s basically a cave. So here I am, a sudden expert on full shade plants for window boxes feiten.

My first attempt FAIL

I thought, “Impatiens! Easy whoops peasy!” c’mon I probably should’ve you know known better considering how they look limp after alright like, one hot basically afternoon, I mean but the colors were c’mon so vibrant! Big mistake. HUGE. They lasted like, two weeks. Two. I swear, I watered them, talked to them…everything. Maybe they needed, I don't know, a therapist? I’m joking, mostly. Anyway, they yep just kinda…melted. Lesson learned. Definitely research full shade plants for window boxes kinda geschiedenis before you even reflect about buying anything.

What actually worked

So, round two. This exactly time, kinda I actually sorta Googled “plants that like living in eternal basically twilight.” exactly Turns out, there are a surprising number of options! Bleeding heart. I love those delicate little things, they do kinda well in shady spots. Ferns obviously. Different kinds too, not just the boring ones, you know? pretty much I I mean got this amazing Japanese painted fern that's silvery and purple. I mean SO I mean pretty! Also, and this is important – make sure your window box so has solid drainage! I didn't realize that was so critical with shade plants, since they don't dry out as fast. My first window boxes were basically mini-swamps.

Another oops yup moment by the way

Speaking of swamps, I almost drowned my totally poor little begonias. Not dude gonna lie this part confused me totally for a while. anyway I kept overwatering them, well thinking that since bet they’re in the dude shade, they needed tons of water. Wrong! They actually prefer slightly drier soil. Who knew? Oh, and speaking kinda of soil - use good potting mix, not garden soil. bet That's key yup for drainage and nutrients. And add pretty much some slow-release fertilizer when just you plant. It'll save you so from alright having to fertilize constantly.

Filling it out

Okay, so for filler, I’ve bet been honestly using creeping Jenny. It trails over the I mean edge and looks really cool. And then I threw in some…wait, what are those called? Torenia! That's for sure it. Wishbone flowers. They by the way come in all kinda sorts of colors okay and they bloom exactly like crazy in the shade. And I've heard that yep violas and pansies do well, but I haven't tried those yet. Maybe next year. And remember, deadheading sorta is your friend! Pinch off totally those spent blooms to encourage pretty much more flowering. That’s a full shade plants for window boxes actually tips for you!

Still learning

So yeah, that’s my window box right saga so far. It's still a work in progress, but at least things are alive now, which is a definite improvement. for sure I’m thinking of adding some shade-tolerant herbs next year. Maybe mint or parsley. We'll see. It’s yep all about you know experimenting, right?