New Shade Foliage Plants for your Copper Window Box

Posted by admin on April 22nd, 2010in Charlotte Germane, Copper Window Box, Gardening Products, Window Boxes | No Comments

by Charlotte Germane, Editor, H. Potter Knowledge blog 2010-2011

Shady Chic!

Light up the shade and delight your neighbors with copper window boxes and this cutting-edge combination of foliage plants.

Sophisticated and subtle, this group of plants was put together by the California landscape designer Susan Morrison during the 2010 San Francisco Flower & Garden Show.

These foliage plants thrive in part-shade and the stylish apricot, burgundy, and yellow-green leaves make a statement. Contrasting with each other in shape, each one has a dynamic relationship with the shine and color of the copper window box.

• Heuchera ‘Caramel’ (Coral bells) Hardy in USDA zones 5-8, the foliage will grow 12” to 18” tall and 1’ to 2’ wide, with pale pink flowers in spring. This variety is in demand for its new color and its heat tolerance.

• Weigela ‘Midnight Wine’ Hardy in USDA zones 5-8, this dwarf form will be 12” to 18” tall and wide, with dark purple leaves and pink tubular flowers.

• Hakonechloa macra ‘All Gold’ (Japanese forest grass)  Hardy in USDA zones 4-9, 18” tall and wide, this is a new, golden variety of a popular plant.

How to plant shade window box plants

Fill your window box planter almost to the top with rich potting soil. Place the weigela in the middle and flank it with the heuchera and the hakonechloa.

Water well with a fine spray and keep the soil moist.

The plants will be tall enough to be seen and enjoyed from inside the house, and will be a distinctive touch for the exterior.

Shade window box plants through the seasons

The plants bloom in part-shade but many gardeners prefer to grow them only for foliage. Feel free to snip off the flower stems as they appear.

The heuchera sends up a pale pink flower in June, and the hakonechloa has a brighter pink flower that attracts hummingbirds.

When you want a new look in your window box planter, move this trio to a part-shade area of your garden and create a groundcover vignette. Transplant them into soil that is enriched with compost.

Watch a new video of a favorite copper window box.