Following is a list of—
Nine Excellent Free-Blooming Plants for Window Boxes
(Most are annuals, easily started from seeds)
| Petunias. | Many beautiful colors. Sow the seeds indoors; the plants may be placed out as soon as danger of frost is passed. If seeds are saved, they should be taken from the weakest plants, as they will give better results than from stronger plants. Bloom until killed by frost. Buy double large flowering. |
| Zinnias (”Youth-and-Old-Age“). | All colors except blue and purple. Buy “Dwarf Double” varieties. Bloom late into the Fall. |
| Phlox Drummondi (Annual Phlox). | Very many beautiful mixed colors. Easily grown. |
| Sweet Alyssum. | Buy the tall variety, of trailing habit: “Alyssum Maritimum.” Plant near edges of box. |
| Cuphea (Cigar Plant). | Interesting little plant, growing one foot high. Little scarlet flowers, shape of hollow cigars, with black and white tip, resembling ashes. |
| Ageratum (Floss Flower). | Buy Dwarf Variety. See [List of Annuals] for description. |
| Verbenas. | Sweet-scented Verbenas. Colors: Rose, pink, white, purple, lavender, etc. |
| Vinca Major Varigata (“Variegated Periwinkle”). | Excellent for trailing over the edges of window boxes. Leaves glossy green with light green edges. Flowers, blue. |
| Geraniums. | Too well known to need description. Easily grown from “cuttings.” See [Chapter XXXV]. Do not expect geraniums to bloom the year round. Give them rest in Winter or Summer by pinching off the buds. |
One of the prettiest shallow window boxes is planted with Violas in mixed colors, with “Tom Thumb” Alyssum for edging.
“Oh, Billy, will you build me a window box soon for my play house?” asked Mary Frances with enthusiasm.
“Will I? Indeed, Mary Frances, what do you think! I don’t believe you’ll find another fellow——”
“Oh, Billy, I didn’t think! I didn’t! You’re so good to give me these lessons! I’ll wait until later for the window box.”
“You’d better,” said Billy; “you interrupted my notes. There is just one more flower mentioned in these lists. It is—