Back in the spring, I shared how I created inexpensive, tough, lifelong window boxes using livestock troughs. Now, with the change in seasons, it’s time to have a little fun filling those boxes up and making them beautiful for the holiday season.
Preparing Window Flower Boxes for Winter
The way you prepare your window boxes for winter depends on your location and what you have planted in them. This is my first full year using my extra deep trough boxes. I have three miniature rose plants in each box. Opting to take a chance with winter temperatures, I kept the roses in the boxes. I’m hoping the radiant heat from the windows behind them helps preserve the root system through cold temperatures. I will trim the stems back, but everything else will stay in place.
Keeping Soil in Window Boxes
Since I am keeping the roses planted, I will also keep the soil in the boxes. If you have summer/fall perennials, you can always pour the spent soil into your garden. You can use large blocks of floral foam or Styrofoam blocks to anchor items in an empty window box. In that case, I suggest covering the foam with a thin layer of decorative stone or moss before adding floral picks or decor.
Choosing Floral Picks and Decor for Winter Window Boxes
The climate in our location isn’t conducive for many living plants in the winter months. This is the time when creative liberation springs forth. The options are limitless for floral picks, artificial vines, ornaments, and branches. All of the above must be water and weatherproof. Always opt for solid plastic over fabric or paper-covered foam. This is especially important with imitation berries. The little foam guys will soak up water and drop to the ground.
Weather Proofing Your Winter Window Box Filler
When using artificial filler in window boxes, you must be aware of all possible weather conditions. We live at the top of a hill. When the breeze picks up, things begin to shake, rattle and roll outside. To keep my filler from blowing away, I make or choose long-wire stemmed accessories. I can press them down and deeply penetrate the soil, anchoring everything firmly in place. Give any floral or greenery a little tug test at the store. If anything pops off, the same will happen in heavy breezes. If you are dead set on getting a more fragile piece, you can add high-temperature hot glue to reinforce any weak links.
Decorating Winter Window Boxes
With all the precautions out of the way, we can start having some fun! When designing your boxes, keep in mind they will most often be viewed from the street. In our case, that is a good piece away from the windows. I choose large, chunky, sparkly pieces that can be seen from far away. Anything small and detailed will be appreciated from inside the house but loses curb appeal. It’s a good idea to add a little at a time, then take a look from the road.
Designing Winter Window Boxes
I like to begin with the largest items first. This year I am using a lambs ear garland as my green foundation. It is draped across the back of the boxes, close to the window, and anchored at each side. Next, I add my tallest floral picks. Glitter is forbidden inside my home for the most part, but outside it’s a fairy dust-free-for-all. Tall, artificial holly branches covered in fine, shimmering, iridescent glitter and plump maroon berries stand proud. Evenly space your tallest items. Odd numbers are always more esthetically pleasing.
Adding Layers to Winter Window Boxes
Once you have in your base and tallest pieces, begin layering your smaller stems, picks, and ornaments. Remember to press all the stems firmly into your floral foam or soil. If stems are flimsy, stake them to stiff outdoor wire using floral tape. You can also thread ornament hanger loops through the stiff wire to anchor them in place. This year, my shorter layers consist of white pip-berry vine and red berry sprays.
Add Bling and Shine to Winter Window Boxes
Adding more sparkle and lights to a window box takes it to a new level of elegance and sophistication. I was inspired by small bejeweled floral sprays in the bridal department of Hobby Lobby. The small picks are too small to be appreciated while driving by. I opted to create my large-scale version of these dazzling beauties. Using stiff, outdoor wire, I twist, thread on a bead, and repeat until I have beautiful, bejeweled picks to add some sparkle and pizzazz to my boxes. The beads are 2 inches long, clear, faceted teardrops.
Adding Lights to a Winter Window Box
I highly recommend using battery-operated lights with a timer for window boxes. I found some that are intended to be used outside. Small fairy lights are easier to anchor to all the floral picks and greenery than heavier twinkle lights. Use thin wire, or zip ties to spread and attach to your filler. Even though the battery packs on my lights are weatherproof, I place them inside a zip-lock bag as an added precaution. The wires are thin enough to slip under the closed window if it gets too cold for the batteries.
More Great Ideas
The best part of having window boxes is dressing them up for each season. Winter window boxes bring a lovely dash of color and sparkle to barren dull landscapes during cold weather. I hope you enjoy working with your window boxes as much as I do mine! For other great ideas be sure to bookmark this blog and come back often. I am constantly adding new articles. Also, be my guest at the Sawdust and Cornbread Home DIY Channel. You’ll find video tutorials to create the home you want using the things you have!
Until next time,
~Lora Lea
