Ideas for Window Box Garden Arrangements

Although this diy article on window gardening is over 100 years old, the advice still holds value to anyone who would have a traditional Victorian style window garden. Originally published in the May 4th, 1895 issue of Home Chat magazine, a digest-sized publication that would have set you back a penny. But for you, it’s free.

Hints on Window Gardening

Window gardening may now be carried out so very inexpensively, that it is a matter for surprise that a greater number of people do not dabble a little in this way to brighten their surroundings, and give pleasure, not only to their own home circle and to callers, but to the unknown passerby.

The most rudimentary knowledge of carpentering is enough to enable anyone to make a window-box, which may be covered with Virginia cork for a trifle; while any ironmonger will supply, for a few shillings a proper window-box, made of trellis-work, and lined, if desired, with a separate box of wood. When pots are used, however, the inner box is not required–and here I may mention the really beautiful art pots, that may be obtained at any of the large stores for about eighteenpence each. Five of these will generally suffice for any window.

It is well to have them of different colours–say one red, one blue, two yellow, and one brown, or one green in place of one of the yellow. Of course, individual tastes may be exercised, but the colours mentioned are always suitable.

The cherry-tree, as it is called, with its bright berries, is admirable for the window. Ribbon ferns, that have been kept indoors all the winter, may now be placed in the box. But you should, by this time, have a good show of bulbous flowers, that will flourish a feast of colour until the middle of May. Nothing is more lovely than a box of tulips of all colours, of which, perhaps, the red and the golden are the most st ricking, with a border of dwarf-hyacinths, or crocuses. Or you may fill the box with narcissi, jonquils, and hyacinths, to last until May is out, while daffodils of all kinds, both single and double, will flourish when potted. The pots I have mentioned are not to be filled with soil, but used as receptacles for the ordinary pots, which must be a little smaller in size. None of the flowers named require forcing; they can be grown in a living room or little conservatory, and may be interspersed with dwarf ferns, or other foliage.

The beautiful arum lilies may be placed safely out of doors at the end of April; if in pots, they may be carried indoors on cool evenings, but in sheltered situations, with a south aspect, this is not necessary. Soloman’s seal is a plant I should like to see used more largely for the window. It is singularly pretty and unique, and will thrive in any shady spot. It is a real pleasure to watch its graceful growth, and sweet, simple flowers. Needless, perhaps, to add, it should be used as a background to flowers of brighter colour and more dwarf habit. In my next I shall mention the plants that should follow in succession to the bulbs.

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