How to make a flower box at home

You should place your flower box in an area that gets 4-6 hours of direct sunlight every day.

You also want to make sure the box is in a location where you can easily water it. You’ll want to water the flower box every other day, or daily if it is really hot out.

For a successful flower box, you will need five basic supplies:

1. The box (obviously). Flower boxes can range in size and shape. As long as you have one that has drainage holes on the bottom, you can use any type of box that will fit under your window, on your porch, or in your garden. 
2. Hooks or brackets to hang the box. Depending on how many flowers you use, a finished flower box can weigh 20 - 40 pounds when watered. For this reason, you want to make sure you have a sturdy pair of brackets to safely hang the flower box. You can find these brackets at pretty much any garden or hardware store. 
3. Potting soil. Make sure to use a variety that contains vermiculite. This will aid in drainage. I like to moisten my potting soil before planting my flower box to cut down on dust. Use just enough water to lightly wet the soil and mix thoroughly. 
4. Fertilizer. I would suggest a “slow release” fertilizer for your flower boxes. Any brand will do and you won’t need much, just a small handful. 
5. Flowers of course! I would suggest using a variety of flowers and leafy vines that are different colors, shapes and heights. This will give your box a very full effect.

I like to use a variety of plants. Using plants with different heights and textures enables you to use the space both above and below the actual flower box. It gives your arrangement that “full” effect like many of the professionally done window boxes around the City. I like to think in threes when doing my plantings:

1. First, you’ll want to use a plant that takes up space in the area above the actual box. In today’s arrangement we are using Blue Salvia. This plant tends to grow tall and stands up straight, giving the arrangement height. 
2. Second, you’ll want to choose your “filler plant” that will take up the majority of the flower box. This plant is often the most colorful and appropriate for the season. Today, we are using red Coleus and red, white, and blue Petunias because the Fourth of July is coming up. 
3. Thirdly, you’ll want to use a plant that takes up space in the area below your flower box, and will hang off the box to create a nice, dramatic look. It’s best to use leafy plants to create this effect. Today we are using Vinca and Potato Vines to create this look.

To keep the plants looking fresh and healthy, I would suggest changing up your flower boxes up to four times a year with the seasons. It’s a good way to keep gardening a year-round interest. 

Here are some suggestions for seasonal plantings: 

• Early spring boxes can have flowers like Primrose and Pansies.
• For summer boxes, you can use Petunias or Hydrangeas.
• Fall plantings look nice with Kale or Chrysanthemums.
• Winter plantings are best with various Evergreens and Holly.

• Make sure to not overfill the flower box with soil. Depending on how tall your plants are, you should only fill the box with soil about half-way up the box.
• It is best to set up a workstation to arrange the flower box instead of trying to hang the flower box first. Doing the arrangement in your workstation will save you a lot of clean up in the end.
• Some people put small rocks or packing peanuts at the bottom of their flower boxes, I wouldn't recommend this. It can sometimes cause the flower arrangement to be very heavy. As long as your window box has the proper drainage holes at the bottom of the box, you should be good to go.
• Get creative! Mix up colors and textures to create an eye-catching display. Need inspiration? Visit the Boston Public Garden and check out some of our displays.