8 Long-Lasting Flowers to Add to Your Window Boxes This Spring

If you’re looking to add charm to the facade of your home, window boxes will fast track you there. Window boxes can also be a great solution if you lack traditional gardening space or if you just want to expand the gardening opportunities you already have. However, it’s worth noting that just because window boxes are smaller and more contained than a traditional, in-ground garden, that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re less work. They often require frequent watering along with regular maintenance, such as deadheading and pruning, to keep that picture-perfect charm alive.

You’ll also want to make sure you pick the right flowers to include in your window boxes to make sure they can thrive all season long. Here are the best window box flowers to choose for both sunny and shady spots.

Window Box Flowers for Sunny Spots

Geranium

Geraniums are hardy, easy-to-care-for flowers that work great in containers. Since they love the sun and can survive in dry conditions, you don’t have to worry too much about missing a watering session or two. They also come in a wide range of colors—including pink, red, white, and purple—so you can fill your window box with a colorful mix of geraniums or just stick to one bold shade.

Marigold

Marigolds have instantly recognizable pom-pom-like blooms that offer bright pops of yellow and orange. The flowers typically bloom from early summer until the first frost, so they’ll bring bold color to your window box all season long. Plus, they are drought-tolerant flowers, so they will survive a skipped watering.

Nasturtium

Not only are nasturtium flowers pretty to look at—with bright orange, red, or yellow flowers and lily-pad-shaped leaves—but they’re also edible. So, if you’re making a summer cocktail or decorating a cake, you could simply open up your window and pluck a few nasturtium flowers to use as a garnish. Nasturtiums also have long, vining stems that offer a striking trailing effect in window boxes.

Petunia

Petunias are a popular annual flower for a number of reasons. They’re easy to care for, they offer bright, colorful blooms, and they have a long blooming period from the summer through the first frost. Just be sure to do some thoughtful pruning to make sure these blooming beauties don’t get too leggy.

Window Box Flowers for Shady Spots

Cardinal Flower

The cardinal flower boasts bright red tubular flowers that grow from tall, terminal spikes, which will add more height and drama to a window box. This plant is also a great choice if you’re looking to build a pollinator-friendly garden as the nectar will attract hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees.

Pansy

Pansies are striking flowers known for their unique, face-like, ink blot pattern in the middle. They also come in a range of polychromatic varieties, making them an attention-grabbing addition to any window box.

Impatiens

Impatiens are a shade-loving annual that produce colorful, open blooms in very little sunlight. These flowers are a great choice for container gardens and window boxes alike thanks to their shallow root systems.

Clematis

Clematis have show-stopping blooms with large, star- or bell-shaped petals. Once established, these plants are rather low-maintenance and impressively fast-growing; just make sure to keep up with regular watering to help this plant thrive.