Mirror Image Planting: Recipe for Knit 1 Window Boxes

For the Knit 1 window boxes, I used a technique called mirror image planting. Basically, you just plant the second window box as a mirror image of the first. You want your trailing plants to be on the outsides of each box to soften the outside edges - as the ponytail fern and licorice root do here.

Give this technique a try when planting a pair of window boxes that are placed close together - two front windows, a storefront or on a small deck railing. Mirroring visually connects the design and can be more pleasing to the eye than two identically done boxes in this instance. Don't try it if your boxes are too far apart, though.

Here is my mirror image planting plan for the boxes. No fancy computer work here, I sketch out all my designs by hand at the garden center. That's after I set all the plants on my cart in a pleasing design. I use my often dirt and water-stained plan as a record when I get to the job and start planting. Note that these resin boxes are each about two and half feet in length and 12 inches wide. The planting recipe calls for 12 4" pots per container, but I could have easily squeezed in quite a few more. Because the boxes are quite deep - more than 14 inches - I know these plants will have a lot of room for root growth so I crowded the plants in, but not as much as I might normally do in a smaller container.

Planting Plan: All plants 4" pots

Light: Part sun/part shade

1. Pink upright penta - 1 per box
2. Salvia (annual) - 2 per box
3. Ponytail fern - 1 per box
4. Caladium - 2 per box
5. Persian shield- 1 per box
6. Lime green coleus - 2 per box
7. Licorice root - 1 per box (watch out - these like to take over - don't be afraid to trim!)

Pink and yellow calibrachoa - 2 per box

How do you approach window box planting?