The Repunzel Effect

I once had a sparrow alight upon my shoulder for a moment, while I was hoeing in a village garden, and I felt that I was more distinguished by that circumstance that I should have been by any epaulet I could have worn.
Henry David Thoreau (1817 - 1862)

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Some time ago in one of your garden tips I spoke about the beauty of window boxes. Today I'm going to introduce you to the "Repunzel Effect".

Window boxes almost always look better if there is something draping over the edge, and for sheer drama, you can't beat drapery that hangs in long streamers well below the box.

Unfortunately, the longest trail you should look for is about 12 or 18 inches, Most plants can't support much more than that.

Plants to use?

ivy ( Hedera helix)
ivy geraniums (Pelargonium peltatum)
nastrurtiums (Trapeolum majus)
vica ( Vinca spp.)

It's a short list, I know. That's because most lax-stemmed plants are vines, and most vines would rather hang on than hang down. If they can't climb straight up, they'll climb any which way--on themselves, on the other plants in the box, on the brackets that hold the box up. The end result is a tangled mass instead of graceful tresses.

That said, if you have a situation where vines can't get a grip on anything, these are also worth a try:

canary bird vine ( Trapaelum peregrinum)
climbing snap-dragon (Asarina spp.)
grape ivy (Cissus incisa)
passionflower (Passiflora spp.)



Window boxes are a lovely addition to your home, so plan on erecting a few this season!


Victor K. Pryles
"The Weekend Gardener"

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