Spring is finally here, which means it’s time to celebrate the season with stunning window boxes filled with fragrant blooms! Window boxes are the perfect small space gardens for bringing the beauty of spring up to your window or into your space. But designing your own window box can be a daunting task if you’re new to small space gardening. Follow these easy tips to craft a thriving, beautiful window box that you can enjoy all season long!

Before we get too ‘in the weeds’ designing your box, it’s important to take care of a few items to keep your plants healthy:

1. Choose where you want to place your window box. The amount of sunlight in that spot will impact which plant species will thrive there. Areas with lots of sunlight are the best for most spring flowers.
2. Know what zone you live in. In other words, know the climate you live in. Since every flower has unique temperature and sunlight needs, this will impact which flowers you can plant and when you should plant them.
3. Make sure that your box is secure. Window boxes can get heavy fast!
4. Pick a quality soil. Ideally, your soil will have some slow-release plant food to keep your plants nourished.
5. Ensure that your box has adequate drainage.

Now, here’s the fun part! Use these tips to design a delightful box:

Tip #1: Think about your color palette.

Color is crucial when creating a beautiful spring window box. To get the most out of your palette, first consider the colors surrounding your box. What color is your house or shutters? Are there any distinct plants nearby with color schemes of their own? You don’t have to match these colors, but it is a good idea to compliment them as much as possible.

Next, consider using the same color palette for every window box in your space or exterior. This can create a cohesive design that elevates your space or enhances your curb appeal.

Finally, and most importantly, pick a few colors you love! After all, this is YOUR window box. Make it an eye-catching display that you want to see every day!

Tip #2: Pick a couple of your favorite spring flowers.

No spring window box is complete without spring blooms! Just remember to pick flowers that have similar sun and soil requirements. Here are just a few to choose from:

Full-sun spring flowers: Daffodil, Tulip, Diascia, Angelonia, Black-eyed Susan, Chrysanthemum, Cosmo, Coneflower, Hibiscus, Clematis, Aster, Bearded Iris, Delphinium, Daylily, Peony, Petunia, Bigroot Geranium

Partial-sun spring flowers: Lily of the Valley, Forget-Me-Not, Western Bleeding Heart, Fern-Leaf Bleeding Heart, Astilbe, Heuchera, Bergenia, Hosta, Primrose

Shade-loving spring flowers: Old-Fashioned Bleeding Heart, Brunnera, Toad Lily, Corydalis, Lungwort, Barrenwort

Tip #3: Give everything room to grow.

Since you’ll be growing your garden in a small space, be sure to give each plant the room it needs to grow. Don’t plant flowers too closely, or their roots will prevent each other from thriving. Finally, be sure to prune your flowers as often as needed so that each of your beautiful blooms gets adequate sunlight and water.

Tip #4: Fill your space creatively.

This tip is particularly important for small space gardens where every inch counts. Try using a combination of flowers to fill the space. One easy way to do this is by using ‘thrillers’, ‘fillers’, and ‘spillers’. Thrillers are flowers that grow tall and grab the attention. Use these to create focal points, with the other plants (the fillers) in your box decorating the space around them and making your box look full. Finally, spillers are the flowers that trail delicately over the edge of your box. Consider using a combination of these to craft a balanced box that’s overflowing with life!

Tip #5: Consider using repetition.

Another design choice is the use of repetition. Using a few repeating patterns of flowers is a great way to create an aesthetically pleasing box. To do this, mentally divide your box into three or four sections. Fill these sections with identical assortments of a few plant varieties.

(Bonus) Tip #6: Have fun!

Every window box is it’s own creation, and every small space garden will look different. Embrace the beauty of your unique design, take risks, and enjoy crafting your own personal Eden!