Palest lilac verbena and white violas in a cloud
of euphorbia graminea “White Frost”
I am always drawn to the daintiest flowers, even though they peter out in August from the heat. Cutting back and extra water will reward you with lovely fall blooms, or a few 6” pots of white mums can take their place.
This year I thought I’d add textural interest to my white flowered windowbox with foliage plants. Purple and silver are so nice with white. I used purple ‘color echoes’ for interest. The purple ipomea batatas ‘Blackie’ (Sweet Potato Vine) is so dark it appears black, and the contrast with white is heaven.
Sedum (sedum cauticola lidakense), with its lovely blue leaves, can go in the ground in the fall and resurrect itself next year. Its flowers unfortunately are red: pinch off when in bud so only the foliage continues to grace your windowbox. The oxalis (the white flowering four leaved clover “Shamrock” plants in the markets before St. Patrick’s Day) leaf has a lovely burgundy reverse, a subtle purple color echo.
Violas are my favorite windowbox flower; this year these cuties are also a purple color echo.
Silver helichrysum petiolare (Silver or White Licorice Plant) softens the edges.
Few flowers are charming as alyssum in a windowbox. It does what a bit of old lace does for a surface in the home.
I’m thrilled to share this sweet little watercolor of my studio (including my windowbox) painted by Jeanne Long. She wrote:
“I'm sending it to you so you know how much your work has brought yet another person enjoyment.”
Jeanne belongs to the Minnesota Artists group, and her blog In A Fresh Foursquare depicts her charmed life in a sweet early 20th century home and its environs. Her ability to capture it all in watercolor sets it apart.
Thank you, Jeanne, for the gift of art.
Until next time, stay shabby!
Sharing with:
White Wednesday at Faded Charm
Cottage Flora Thursdays at Fishtail Cottage
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