Evergreen window boxes can be planted with a classic mix of shrubs and foliage and finished off with an attractive, purple slate top-dressing. Plants such as these bring color to a drab winter landscape with their all-year greenness and vegetation—much needed for the urban gardener. The clean structural lines, as well as the strong focal points formed by the topiary box cone and dwarf pines, ensure that these year-round window boxes are perfect for a modern garden space.
What to plant
An evergreen garden can provide a year-round base of evergreen foliage with seasonal changes being marked with displays of color from winter berries, spring bulbs, and summer blooms. There are plenty of bold evergreens to choose from, including box and pine, as well as silver-gray evergreens like lavender, which will all provide a strong foundation for your displays. Winter is when you are most likely to crave color in your garden, so introduce a selection of plants that will complement these evergreen plants. In the silver window box on the opposite page, I’ve used pretty dwarf pink rhododendrons with a box cone and lavender plants, while in the black window box, below, deep pink skimmia berries contrast boldly with dwarf pines, white heathers, and the gleaming white berries of a snowberry plant.
When you’re designing an evergreen garden and deciding on the best place to put your window box, it’s important to consider where the sun will fall. This is because east-facing walls will get a lot of morning sun, while west-facing walls will receive most of the sun in the afternoon and evening. Evergreen plants should be kept in a light spot in order to retain their color. Unfortunately, if they are placed in direct shade, they will lose their vibrancy and appeal.
