Perennials in window boxes

[J and Riley (and Luna)]

We just built a new deck (yay!) and I got some coca planters to hang on the side of the deck rail.  I planted some periwinkle (myrtle - Vinca minor) so that it would drape over the side and give year-round interest.. but I'm wondering what else to do with the box?

The periwinkle I'm talking about looks like this (blooms in Spring)

I think my options are:

- Let the periwinkle get established this year, plant taller flowering (summer/late summer) annuals next Spring to give some colour once the periwinkle is done blooming.

- Plant some perennials now so they have time to get established  (Although I'm not sure what I would plant)

I'm also wondering how the periwinkle will fare in the boxes over the Winter.. should I leave them on the rail or put them at ground level so they get more snow coverage?  Decisions, decisions...

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I've never grown flowers in window boxes, but I do have a lot of perennials including this one. It's extremely hardy and it spreads. It's also very shade tolerant.

I think I'd wait to plant anything else in the boxes until next season. Live with it awhile. You can plant annuals or perennials in the spring, I put some perennials in my garden this past June and they've all put out new blooms since. I expect them to be well established by the time the frost hits. 

[J and Riley (and Luna)]

Yeah they are very hardy, my mom's garden has a HUGE patch of them and they are living under some gigantic spruce trees.  Not much else seems to be able to grow with all the dense needles falling down but the periwinkle doesn't mind.  

This is my first experiment with window boxes too.  I thought about putting some planters on the deck, but it really is quite small (about 10x10 ft) and didn't want to take up any real estate with plants.  

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Plants in containers do need watering more often, as the soil dries out much more quickly, so you'll want plants that are drought tolerant for the boxes. 

[J and Riley (and Luna)]

That's true!  These are also coca planters so they drain water like mad.  I lined them with garbage bags but lots of water still filters through.

There's a great garden center nearby so I may have to visit them in the Spring and choose some friends for the periwinkle ;)

[F, Calla & Luca]

I have planted a variegated vinca in boxes on my front porch and it thrived for years but this year it disappeared after our hard winter. I do have some small Weigela that have lasted in one of those boxes. I also have lavender in another box. But in reality I think annuals give you the best chance of having blooms all summer if you deadhead. 

[J and Riley (and Luna)]

Yeah I think buying a little flat of annuals may be my best bet.  My garden has perennials from thaw to freeze but most of them are too tall for window boxes.  I have some nice Sweet Williams that bloom in mid summer but I don't have near enough to split them yet.

[Linda, Charlie Brown and Beau]

IMO - window boxes are a great place for vinca!  I am ripping vinca out in my perennial beds all the time it spreads so quickly.  Usually it is very hardy, but the unusual weather patterns this year seem to knocked out plants that would have otherwise survived.  Possible companions - light bright yellow marigolds, dusty miller, or salvia.  I planted additional salvia and it has really been blooming profusely this year (whereas in past years some have had some trouble). 

[J and Riley (and Luna)]

I was thinking of salvia - it was one of the "recommended" window box perennials when I was first looking things up.

[J and Riley (and Luna)]

Little update:  

The vinca minor is doing great in the window boxes so far!   Even though it's usually a "shade" plant it seems to be enjoying the full sun.  Lots of new shoots sprouting up all over.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Excellent! 

[F, Calla & Luca]

Thanks for the update.