Planters enhance windows, walls

Press, 28 May 1981, Page 12

Planters enhance windows, walls

LANDSCAPING YOUR HOME

Gilbert Brakey

Reminiscent of the Swiss chalet with its adorning window boxes filled to overflowing with colourful plants, we have today's wall planters. Where garden space is limited. or non-existent, or where the wall spaces beneath a window appear stark and unsightly, the window box can be the answer. I prefer to call such adornments planters rather than boxes because there are numerous possibilities for the types of container. For the conventional container, the box needs to be of sturdy construction and durable/ made from either ground treated timber or lined with .an impervious material.

Weight should be kept to a minimum because this can be a major factor when hanging larger window boxes filled with soil and plants. The method of attaching the container to the wall of the house will vary depending on the structure. This must be strong and solid in order to-withstand the weights. Where support max’ be dubious or difficult avoid large,, heavy boxes and 'hang smaller individual containers clustered together beneath the window. The timber window box can be a plain affair, or it

can be shaped into an infinite number of decorative finishes according to your taste and situation. The end result should however, be appropriate to its setting and your home's architectural style. With all window planters it is essential that they can be fairly easily maintained from inside the window of the house, or if lower, from the ground. Watering and feeding are two important considerations depending on the type of plant you choose to grow. Geraniums, for example, can be amazingly tolerant of neglect but will be much better if given some attention.

Drainage is also important, hot only from the plants’ point of view. Consider also where surplus water will fall when it leaves the container. It can be a little annoying for a visitor to be caught beneath a recently watered window planter. It is best to avoid having

planters hanging over patli•ways. or in other similar situations. Smaller planters can even be lifted off and watered inside, or taken out into the garden and given a good soaking. An alternative to the window box is a specially made window planter, and one possibility here is the use of pottery. Potter.v can range in size, colour, finish and texture. They are excellent containers.' and are interestingly decorative in their own right. Terracotta pots of suitable size can also be used to good effect.

Plastic containers seem inappropriate for such situations.

Window planters do not appear to be readily available on the market, even though there is- potential for them in our built-up city and residential areas. If you are interested in using a window container, or containers, you may well find these are not something that you can just go out and buy. Probably you will haveto either make something yourself, or have it specially made. There are many situations where window containers could effectively be used in landscape design.