The Benefits of Window Boxes

Once you realize how effective they can be in your designs you will want to consider window boxes as possible design solutions. Some of their benefits and effects are:

• They bring life to an otherwise flat and boring facade.
• They add depth and dimension.
• They add color, texture and seasonal change.

In the picture above imagine the home without these window boxes.  The look changed dramatically when they were added. And this garage side is an important area for this home.  Guests and family frequently use this back area to park and enter the house – more so than the front entrance.

Just because they’re called “window boxes” should not limit their use to under windows.  As I mentioned above, “they bring life to flat and boring surfaces”.

A window box can give dimension and interest to a fence or an expanse of barren wall.

The railing on this deck came alive with the addition of these fiberglass window boxes.  They add interest and enjoyment whether you’re on or off the deck.

Seasonal Change for Window Boxes

Here in the northeast there are four distinct seasons.  You could conceivably make changes in the boxes to represent those seasons just like we do in the gardens themselves.

On our projects we have used living plants and natural materials in our arrangements, but also artificial things as well.

The window box above is made of a decorative iron frame with a cedar wood planter box cradled inside.

We used a plastic insert inside the wood planter and had an artificial floral arrangement made in it.

During the warmer months the homeowner has the artificial arrangement showing.  But in the colder months the window box is left empty.  It’s so beautiful that it can easily stand on its own.

Alternatively you could do a cold weather arrangement using evergreen branches, cones and other natural elements.

Styles and Types

There are numerous styles and types of window boxes. Do a Google search and you’ll probably find what you’re looking for. When your design calls for something unique either because of style or size you can always have something made. The iron and wood window box pictured above was fabricated by a metal railing contractor and a carpenter.

Here are some of the manufactured types available:

• Decorative metal cradle with an insert planter of another metal (e.g. copper, tin, etc.), wood, or a natural fibrous liner like coconut mat.
• Wood in endless styles and types.
• Vinyl in various forms.  Walpole Woodworkers offers solid cellular vinyl that is almost indistinguishable from real wood.
• Fiberglass

Hardware and Mounting

Most of the manufactured window boxes have their own mounting recommendations and  hardware. Often the styles with decorative brackets use those brackets for mounting. Some models have an integrated mounting system that is hidden. There are mounting brackets for deck railings as well.

Needless to say you want the mounting system you use to be rock solid.  Between the weight of the window box, the soil media inside and the wear and tear of the outdoor elements, you should not compromise on the mounting.

Soil Media and Watering

If you plant your window boxes you want to be conscious of soil media and watering.

Ideally the soil mix should be typical of a any good potting mix, i.e. rich, organic and well-drained. In terms of pH most annuals tolerate a range, but just be aware of what you’re planting and if it has a particular preference.

Check to make sure the window box has drainage holes and be conscious of what’s underneath them.  They’re going to drip for awhile after watering.

There are soil moist polymer products that can be added to your soil mix to improve the moisture retention.  These can dramatically help reduce the frequency of watering.

And finally, there are drip irrigation systems that can be set up to water on a scheduled basis. While some are manufactured specifically for this purpose, I would normally ask the irrigation contractor to design and integrate the planter drip system with the overall irrigation for the landscape. Just make sure you have independent control such as a dedicated zone or a separately valved feed.

Window boxes really do add a level of detail you don’t normally see in the landscape. It takes a bit of effort in terms of finding the right window box, mounting it correctly and tending to the plantings and arrangements, but the ROI is worth it. Your landscape will stand out for sure.

Using a decorative pot or container has to be one of the best ways I know of to hide the hose and keep it handy at the same time.

The one you’re seeing here is made of copper.  Nice looking, right?  It’s made just for this purpose with a hole where the hose exits and connects to the faucet. It’s suppose to hold 150′ of hose, but that might be pushing it.   50 – 75′ is a more comfortable fit.

The homeowner has a collection of decorative planters on the patio filled with seasonal plants.  These have to be watered regularly.  The copper hose pot is the perfect solution. And I have to say, the hose comes out of the pot nicely and is a breeze to coil back in when you’re done.

Since we’re on the subject, let me just say that it pays to buy a better quality hose.  A good quality rubber hose is easier to work with and coil and, if taken care of, will last a long time.  Generally the better ones come with higher quality couplings at their ends – this makes a huge difference too. FYI, Sears makes a nice quality rubber hose at a reasonable price and they back it up with their warranty policy.  I’d suggest buying hose in 50′ lengths or less.  It’s just more manageable.

Do a search in Google for “copper hose pot” and all the choices out there.

Decorative Options For Plaster Walls

There are a few options for softening and/or disguising plaster walls.  You could paint them, although I’d look into that real thoroughly.  Painting concrete has to be done right or problems can result. Also, once it’s painted, it’s painted!… Not a treatment easily reversed.

There are decorative finishes such as those from companies like Sto that can be applied over the concrete.  There are thin-stone veneers and artificial veneers that also can be applied to the concrete wall without the need for a special footing or support.

Decorative lattice is another option.  If you intend to see some or all of the lattice then you need to be attentive to details such as trimmed and finished edges.  On this particular project our intention was to ultimately cover the entire wall with English ivy.  What we needed was a support system to train the new ivy plants onto.  The carpenter nailed wood furring strips to the concrete and then attached PVC lattice to the strips.  We used 3 English ivy plants that came in 7 gal. containers.  Their runners were already 6′ long and enabled us to cover quite a bit of the area.  In a year or two I suspect the wall and PVC lattice will completely be covered.

Maybe you’ve had luck with another solution.  If so, please leave a comment.

Flagpoles Are A Classic Property Feature

Well the article title probably gives it away, but I happen to love the idea of integrating a flagpole into the landscape.  Come on, you have to agree!  How often do we hear and read about the importance of using “focal points” in our landscape designs?…Strategically and in good taste of course.  Well here you have it then.  They’re beautiful, classic, go with just about any style garden or home.  (Alright, a zen garden may be pushing it.)  And the patriotic sentiment is as beautiful as the flag.

Anyway, this is an all cedar wood flagpole made by Walplole Woodworkers in MA.  The homeowners had ordered it themselves so I don’t have all the details. I’d say it stands around 20′ tall, has a brass ball finial at the top and comes with all the hardware and rigging.  There are 2 support posts on either side of the flagpole that allow you to pivot and lower the pole by removing one the the support pins.  A standard feature on most flagpoles for maintenance purposes.

To insure this flagpole will forever stand straight and proud we have approximately 700 lbs. of concrete in the footing.  The boys couldn’t resist leaving their handprints for future explorers to find.  The 2 x3 studs work great for bracing while the concrete sets.

I wonder if either of these wiseguys have tried to climb to the top yet.

I’m a real proponent for structures and ornamental features in the landscape if done in good taste.  These elements can give structure to the outside, help to designate space, and even guide the visitor.  And let’s not forget their sometimes artistic contribution.  There are countless examples of hand-crafted works in the landscape.

Above is a traditional square-picket fence.  Whereas some fences are one sided, this fence is equally finished and beautiful on both sides.  Here it is used along the sidewalk in front of a residence.  The fence was not needed to keep people out, animals in, or give privacy.  Perhaps it was added as an architectural feature to extend the home’s design out into the property – or to define the front yard in a subtle way.  Combined with a gate or arbor it can convey a feeling of passage from one space to another.  A decorative fence gives year-round interest while offering a backdrop to seasonal gardens like this spring bulb display.

Today fences are made from newer materials other than wood and metal.  Plastics have entered the industry as I guess they have every other industry.  Perfection Fence is one of the manufacturers that does some amazing things with vinyl.  I have to say, though, if it’s being seen close up there is no hiding the fact that it’s vinyl.  For some (like me) this can be a turn off.  But from a distance it’s awesome – and very, very practical.

To take synthetics to another level, Walpole Woodworkers in MA has teamed up with AZEK.  This is a company that manufactures building and architectural features from PVC.  This partnering has enabled Walpole Woodworkers to produce fence and garden structures from AZEK materials.  Walpole’s special line of AZEK made products is called “Freeport“.   It’s beautiful, practical, and very hard to distinguish if it’s real wood or not…even close up!

So when contemplating design ideas for your yard, consider the addition of structural features to add new dimension and interest.

Window Boxes and Technology

Although technology often provides a better solution, in the realm of design it has to look good too.

Outdoor “rock” speakers are a good example of this. They are an awesome solution to bringing music out into the landscape, but the technology still has some work to do on how authentic they look.

With outdoor planters we’ve seen some great technology in the materials they use.  Some of these synthetic planters look just like their stone and cast concrete counterparts, but they’re lightweight and durable. Some, however, are pathetic looking and I’d never use them.

Recently I came across what I now call the modern day window box (See picture above). It’s made of fiberglass so it’s very durable and light – key factors for something that hangs outdoors. Equipped with a “drainage mat” and weep holes, it’s designed to drain properly without gravel on the bottom.

You can even get these window boxes with integrated watering systems.  One type has a water reservoir built right into it that you must fill occasionally.  Alternatively they offer a drip irrigation system that you can set up.

The company offers colors, although you can paint these window boxes if you’d like.  There are various sizes available, but custom sizes can also be made.  In fact, the ones I used on this deck railing are 12 X 12″, which is a custom size.

The Project

The wood deck on this home was approximately 15 years old and the years had not been kind to it. Its infrastructure, however, was made of treated lumber and was in fine shape.

The carpenter suggested redoing all the exposed features, such as decking and rails, in composite and vinyl materials.

At first the homeowners reacted negatively, but once they saw some of the better products in this “other than wood” category they became interested.

Once the carpenter mentioned benefits such as longevity and ease of maintenance, they made their selections and gave the go ahead. I, like many of you, prefer authenticity, but the advantages to composite & vinyl materials are compelling and the look…not bad at all.

So don’t rule out new technology and substitutes until you give them a good amount of consideration.  The benefits you potentially can gain can be amazing. There are times, however, when nothing can take the place of the “real deal” and that’s okay.  There will always be admiration and respect for authenticity.

Now before you accuse me of filling yards with pink flamingos and Disney characters let me make one key point – Garden ornaments should be chosen in good taste and used strategically. Please remember the great design adage “less is more”.

If you think of them as “something special” (perhaps meaningful to you in some way) or as a work of art, naturally you’d look to place them in a special spot or setting. And just like with decorative elements inside the home, you’d like people to admire and enjoy them.

In terms of the “setting” for these garden ornaments, it should be a well designed landscape with drifts of unifying plantings that complement. A helter skelter planting design will only distract from the ornament and cause a feeling of chaos. Not what we’re looking for.

Stay tuned folks because I’m going to post more examples of garden ornaments used in the landscape. Maybe I can convert some of the non-believers and inspire more ideas for those who do use them.

For you believers, check out the NightOrbs in the picture above. These are not your classic ornaments like statuary and birdbaths, but are hand-blown glass works of art that can be illuminated. They appear floating, almost celestial when used in groupings and arranged at different heights.

Installing and Setting Garden Ornaments

One thing I’d like to emphasize when installing any garden ornament is straightness and stability. Of course how to achieve that will vary depending on what you’re setting.

Heavy pieces like concrete planters and statuary need a solid base or platform that will not “heave” from freezing ground.

Some ornaments have a stem or pole that is meant to be sunk in the ground, like the NightOrbs pictured above. Make sure whatever anchoring method you use it is solid and long-lasting. Nothing looks worse than a feature in the landscape that is crooked and “out of plumb”.

Picking The Location and “Setting”

A design client of mine called to ask if I’d help him find a spot in the landscape for his new iron garden bench. He tells me he wasn’t looking for one, but happened to come across this “rocking” one (literally – not figuratively). I believe they call this an “impulse buy” and it happens to the best of us.

After we surveyed the property we chose the location you see in the photo above. It offered an excellent vantage point to look at the house, patio and gardens. The Birch tree provided shade as well as another feature in the composition. I think it’s so important to create “settings” for garden features & ornaments. It just makes them appear more integrated to the landscape.

The Process

The hardest part of the project was removing the sod. You can see the white lines I painted to guide the installation crew. It’s basically a simple oval shape. Curvilinear lines are easy to work with and maintain.

First, the edge was cut on the white line with a garden spade. The sod was then stripped from the ground using a grape hoe.

One of the challenges was to give the iron garden bench a solid and level footing for it to sit on. Although the land sloped gently we were able to create a level platform using 1/8″ crushed stone for the base and a thick piece of flagstone on top. The soil we removed to prepare for the gravel base was used to build up and support the now level platform.

It only took the guys a few hours from start to finish, but I’m sure you’ll all agree the iron garden bench now has a place to call home. In the spring we’ll add some plantings around the bench to really “tie it all together.”

Most of these iron garden benches today are not actually iron but cast aluminum. The finishes are a powder coat paint and seem to last forever.  Even if they get nicked they don’t rust. This is just another example how today’s technology and manufacturing can bring classic, older design into the landscape without some of the inherent maintenance problems of the older materials.