Seasonal Splendor Window Box
4 Matsumoto Pink Asters: to be planted across the back of the box. These give a backdrop of double pink flowers on tall stems. Aster's are perennials and deciduous or evergreen sub-shrubs with daisy like flower heads, in summer-autumn, full to half hardy. Likes full sun to partial shade and fertile, well drained soil. Propagate by softwood cuttings in spring, or by division in spring or autumn. Outside requires spraying against mildew & insect attack. The aster is the month of September's birth flower.
2 Coleus: plant these in center/middle of window box in front of asters. This plant has a variety of colors and striking foliage. This plant comes as a annual, perennial, and evergreen sub-shrub grown for their colorful leaves and foliage. Frost tender, grow in sun or partial shade in fertile, well drained soil, choosing a sheltered position. Water freely in summer, less at other times. Pinch out growing shoots of young plants to encourage a bushy habit. Propagate by seed sown under glass in late winter or by softwood cuttings in spring or summer. Mealy bug and white fly may cause problems.
3 Chrysanthemums: 2 to be planted at right end of box and 1 to be planted at left end. Chrysanthemums can be annuals, perennials, or evergreen sub-shrubs. Grown for their flowers which are available in a variety of colors. Leaves are deeply lobed or cut often, feathery, oval to lance shaped. Annuals and most perennials are fully to half hardy. These plants like a sunny site, and fertile well drained soil. Those grown for exhibition will require regular feeding. Pinch off growing tips to encourage lateral growths and stake tall plants with canes. Propagate annuals by seed, sown in spring. Perennial by division in autumn, after flowering or in early spring. Florist chrysanthemums should be lifted before winter and propagated from basal softwood cuttings in spring. Spray regularly to control aphids, capsids, froghoppers, earwigs, mildew and white rust.
2 Palace Purple Coral Bells: also know as alumroot. A wonderful contrast plant with it's purple color and hear shaped leaves, these should be planted at front ends of box. American wild flowers originally from New Mexico and Arizona to south of Mexico. Cora bells are mounds of basal leaves that are rounded and lobed rising from a thick root stock. Flowers are tiny bells on 1-2 ft. stems, blooming from spring into summer. In areas with hot summer, these plants need a bit of shade, but usually like a good bit of sun. Should be planted in well drained, humus rich, slightly moist soil. In Winter, Corabells will die in wet soil. Divide every 3 years to prevent over crowding. Propagation by division in spring or by seed.2 Dwarf Plumbagos: also know as Leadwort, go in the right front part of the box. This perennial has small clusters of single brilliant blue flowers on reddish, branched stems in late summer and autumn. Likes sun, and moist soil.