For an easy way to make an impact in winter, fill window boxes with festive-inspired planting. This display will not only brighten up your entrance, but also provide interest over the whole season. Whatever style of box you choose, make sure your containers have plenty of drainage holes – the plants won’t thrive if they’re sitting in soggy compost. Don’t add fertiliser as over the winter the plants aren’t actively growing so they won’t take up nutrients.
1 Put polystyrene in the base, so less compost is needed. To protect the wood, line with an old compost bag, with holes for drainage.
2 Fill with multi-purpose compost. You’ll need to refresh the compost every six months if you’re leaving the window box planted all year.
3 Place trailing plants near the edge and the tallest ones at the back where they’ll add height, without blocking smaller plants.
4 Water well. Check regularly that the compost hasn’t dried out –
