Which Flowers Grow Best in Sun and Shade?
If you’re adding some patio containers or window boxes to your home, be sure that you know which flowers are perfect for hot, sunny spots and which grow best in the shade. See our lists of the best flowers for sun versus shade so that you choose the right plants based on your window’s sun exposure!
Why Choose a Window Box?
Window boxes are great for houses and apartments alike! Growing plants in window boxes puts them at eye level, which lends a different perspective than having them in your garden.
From the inside, the plants will become part of your view of the outdoors. And from the outside, the plants and container become part of the architecture.
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What to Plant in Window Boxes
Wondering what to plant? Petunias, geraniums, zinnias, nasturtiums, and begonias are good choices for main-theme flowers. Fill in with things like inch plant, ivy, euonymus, heather, or vinca, which will cascade over the edge of the box. Impatiens do well in shady locations. More subtle choices include coleus, heliotrope, and salvia. Window boxes look their best if they’re packed with plants!
Experienced gardeners can train climbing vines around the window frame for an ensemble effect. Connoisseurs may choose to add topiary forms as a focal point. Ivy or creeping fig topiaries or other identifiable shapes can capture the imagination.
Selecting Plants for Your Sun Exposure
Above all, the most important considerations are sun exposure and which way your window box faces. The leaves of shade-lovers will get scorched in the high light levels of a south or west-facing wall; plants that thrive in full sun will grow tall and leggy in a northern exposure.
Window Box Flowers for Full Sun
(for a sunny, hot, south or west-facing window)
| Upright |
| artemesia |
| dusty miller |
| lavender |
| marigold |
| miniature rose |
| opal and bush basil |
| ornamental pepper |
| periwinkle |
| rosemary |
| rose-scented geranium |
| salvia |
| Trailing |
| sweet potato vine |
| dwarf soapwort |
| ‘Homestead Purple’ verbena |
| nasturtium |
| peppermint-scented geranium |
| petunia |
| pink |
| prostrate rosemary |
| setcreasea |
| strawberry |
| sweet marjoram |
| thyme |
| Climbing |
| Carolina jessamine |
| golden hop |
| honeysuckle |
| jasmine |
| miniature climbing rose |
| moon vine |
Window Box Flowers for Shade
(for a shady, cool, north-facing window)
| Upright |
| astilbe |
| cardinal flower |
| coleus |
| English daisy |
| fern (maidenhair, tassel, Boston, asparagus) |
| garden heliotrope |
| hosta |
| impatiens |
| Johnny-jump-up |
| lamb’s ears |
| lemon balm |
| lenten rose |
| mophead hydrangea |
| pansy |
| parsley |
| snapdragon |
| tropical houseplant |
| wax begonia |
| Trailing |
| creeping myrtle |
| fuchsia |
| peppermint |
| clematis |
| variegated English or Algerian ivy |
| inch plant (tradescantia) |
| Climbing |
| clematis |
| trumpet vine |
Flowering Bulbs
Often overlooked for window boxes are foolproof flowering bulbs. Whether you do a fall planting of miniature daffodils, snowdrops, or hyacinths for springtime bloom, or you do a late-spring planting of lilies, alliums, or dwarf gladiolus for summertime bloom, be sure to tuck a few bulbs and corms into your window boxes for added impact.
Vegetables and Herbs
If you’ve got an accessible location, try planting edibles. Plant herbs like sage, chives, thyme, and mint. Just open the kitchen window when you need some fresh herbs!
Cherry tomatoes, lettuce, and kale mixed with marigolds will do nicely in a window box, too. Like flowers, they will need water every couple of days and fertilizer every two weeks. (Note: since a window box is just a breeze away from your living quarters, you might want to avoid aromatic fertilizers like fish emulsion.) Be sure to cultivate the soil regularly so that the water will penetrate throughout rather than just run off.
Wood, Metal, or Plastic Window Boxes?
There are many window boxes or troughs sold in garden centers than can be easily mounted or hung on a balcony or window ledge. These days, they tend to be plastic.
For a house, a wooden window box can easily be custom-built to fit the length and width of a windowsill, so wood remains the medium of choice. Its life can be extended significantly by using the box simply as a holder for a metal or plastic planter or for several potted plants. Wood is also the easiest for mounting to your house. A word of caution here—do not set the box directly against the siding of your house. Leave an inch or two of breathing space so that moisture does not build up. Make sure the box is securely fastened to your house, too, as you don’t want a strong breeze to send it flying!
Tips for Window Box Care
- Good drainage is essential. Choose window boxes that already have drainage holes, or drill some yourself. It’s important that the soil not stay oversaturated, as this could lead to root rot.
- Use a standard potting mix from your garden center, or mix your own using soil, coconut coir, sawdust, sand, and a little bonemeal. Add compost if growing edible plants. Fill the box to within an inch of the top. It’s important to use enough good potting soil around the plants so they sit firmly.
- Water and mix thoroughly. Add more soil if it has settled, and water and mix some more.
- Make sure to water and fertilize often. Window boxes that are in full sun will dry out quickly!
- Don’t be afraid to replace plants that have finished blooming with others that are fresh!
Do you live in an apartment building or condo? See how to start a balcony, rooftop, or terrace garden!
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I usually love and look forward to content from this source. In this case, however, it should be noted that Sweet Autumn Clematis, aka Viginsbower, or Clematis Terniflora DC, is highly invasive in many parts of North America and should not be planted, bought, sold or promoted in reputable garden journals.
Here is an excerpt from the National Park Service/US Fish and Wildlife Service "Plant Invaders of Mid-Atlantic Natural Areas:"
Origin: Japan and China
Distribution and Habitat
Sweet autumn virginsbower is
documented to occur in much of the
eastern U.S. from Minnesota to Vermont, south to Texas and Florida.
It has been reported to be invasive in Alabama, Delaware, Florida,
Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, New Jersey, North Carolina, South
Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia, although it is probably invasive in
additional states where it occurs. It prefers full sun but can tolerate
partial shade.
Ecological Threat
This species is found invading forest edges, right-of-ways and urban
areas along streams and roads. It grows vigorously over other
vegetation, forming dense blankets that block sunlight to the plants
underneath. In late summer infestations are conspicuous as a result
of its abundant showy white flowers.
Please remove this plant from the content of this very dated article.
Thanks for bringing this to our attention. We have removed it from the list of recommended plants.
I have a directly east facing window box. What flowers would be best for that? Also, do you recommend replacing old soil if it's been there a few years?
For an east-facing window box or any location with morning sun and 4 or fewer hours per day, we’d suggest snapdragon, impatiens, begonia, viola, cardinal flower, sweet alyssum, dahlia, petunias, verbena, ageratum, dusty miller, and dwarf marigold. In terms of replacing the soil: If it’s been a few years, yes, we would replace or heavily amend it; the nutrients have been depleted by now and it’s probably compacted. Better safe than sorry.
I am curious about Portulaca it is one of my favorite plants. Will it do well in east facing window box? Or patio?
It should do fine there, although portulaca prefers a sunny spot, so it would do best in a south- or west-facing position.
I like to have patio flowers match the pillows of my furniture: cream, pink and red. However due to covid several nurserIes said just get what is available....don't know what is coming. So this yr, i got whatever and they are all finally flowering. To cut cost, as per previous thread. I got 3 packets of nasturtiums...1.50. They are fantastic, no matter what direction, they have now easily filled most of my boxes. Plus one packet of seeds has beenn a surprise.
Hi I forgot to leave this:
3 window boxes in front are 90 East facing the two side are 195 S per my compass on my IPhone. Thank you!
Rhonda Jean
We should all be so specific! No matter; see below.
I live in Danvers MA and my window boxes are subject to full morning sun and in the afternoon are completely in shade. What are the best flowers to grow full and lush until fall. I wouldn 't mind even taking them in for winter and replanting for next season in larger pot. We have a heating garage that is home to a lot of plants and they thrive very well in the winter months. Thank you for your time and consideration!
Rhonda Jean
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