Suggestions for window boxes. No fake plants.

Tina Lewis
by Tina Lewis
So very hot here in the summer. Any creative ideas for window boxes. No real or fake plants, please.
  15 answers
  • A metal arch or trellis set in the back would be a great start. Then add whatever your interest or collections might be. Large seashells in the summer. Large metal flowers would be funky and fun. I recently saw a small window box in a shop in Phoenix with a display of stacked vintage dishes. Post up pictures when you get you window box filled. Would love to see when you come up with.
  • Tina Lewis Tina Lewis on May 20, 2013
    Great ideas. Thank you. I have been using seashells as well.
  • 360 Sod (Donna Dixson) 360 Sod (Donna Dixson) on May 20, 2013
    Place a fake bottom to raise the level up to just below the lip and make a miniature town sort of like the ones at Christmas time. You could to a different theme per season. A 'western town' or a southern florida town. You could even light it at night.
  • Kimberly Barney Kimberly Barney on May 20, 2013
    I would suggest building up the box as Donna has mentioned to show your display. I like the idea of seashells and maybe add some driftwood for the Summer months. Other items to consider would be grapevine, pinecones, burlap, ribbons and ornaments can be placed during the holiday seasons. I've seen the use of light fixtures to bring some light reflection. I have seen where some have taken balls and covered them with pennies, flat marbles, etc.
  • Tina Lewis Tina Lewis on May 20, 2013
    It is very windy here, but I will try. You have great ideas. Thank you!!!
  • Pat S Pat S on May 21, 2013
    other than a succulent rock/pebble garden box, treat it like a seasonal outside display of things you like... when I get to working outside again I am going to line it with the coconut fiber, add seashells, flip flops, beach toys, pinwheels and flags.... if you walk through the dollar store you can come up with combinations of all kinds... use floral styrofoam to stick things in and floral wire to secure; use pebbles or marbles for color and weight... display old or new garden tools; tea cups and saucers glued together and teapot for height, look for red, white and blue items and flags... ceramic birds and nests, little watering can; wrapping lights around the items is really pretty at night... have fun!
  • Tina Lewis Tina Lewis on May 21, 2013
    I have pulled out the flowers and put in plates, ceramic balls and shells. Still a work in progress. Hope the winds don't knock the window boxes down. It has happened in the past. They are weighted with rocks in the back. Time will tell. Thank you again for the ideas.
  • B.J. B B.J. B on May 25, 2013
    I use "hen & chicks" for dry hot areas. They are a succulent that is indestructable. I stick them in all kinds of containers. They don't die even if they completely dry out. They spread as they grow and you just pick up the "chicks" and stick them in some dirt and presto you have a new plant. Deer like to eat them though and as they munch on them they drop them all through my garden so I have hen & chicks growing everywhere. I'm always giving them away. I like to plant them in rock gardens.
  • Tina Lewis Tina Lewis on May 25, 2013
    Even the hen and chicks won't survive the summer heat. But thank you for the suggestion.
  • Teri Teri on Jan 17, 2015
    Take a dead branch, spray paint it whatever color you like. Get a few birds and glue them to the branches. Tie some jute around or maybe a couple of bells. Btw, i have bought succulents that are fake but look very real. Good luck, i hope you can use one of my ideas.
  • Tere Tere on Apr 19, 2015
    I'm in Phoenix area. I have some Lantana, Salvia/ lavendar, trumpet vine, sweet potato vine and red sage.. The Lantana will drop down and look like it is flowing, plus it comes in so many different colors. try some white angelonia for contrast.
  • Dfm Dfm on Mar 29, 2016
    small set of wind chimes hung from shortened Sheppard hook
  • Mogie Mogie on Apr 03, 2023

    If it is windy there what about colorful pin wheels? They would move in the wind and attrack attention.

  • Tina Lewis Tina Lewis on Apr 03, 2023

    Thank you!