Winter window boxes

[swanbird]

Any ideas for winter planting schemes for south easterly facing window boxes? I have 4 which are about 3 feet long and about 8 inches wide. Id like to include some winter berries and dress them with pine cones at Christmas time. Thanks, S.

[sue1002]

I planted up a window box last year (in ericaceous compost) with different heathers in it, along with Gaultheria and Ophiopogon. It will be going back on the wall again this year.

[swanbird]

I'm hoping to find time this weekend to have a good mooch around the garden centre. Anyone else got any unusual ideas?

[Miranda]

If you want some red berries for winter, swanbird, you could try Skimmia japonica. They'd do in window boxes. Euonymus fortunei would give colour, but not berries, and there are a couple of nice variegated types.

For one basket, I did a mix of a Bergenia that turns red in winter (try 'Admiral' or 'Wintermarchen') with a leather-leaved sedge (Carex testacea) which has orange-red tinges and a purple Heuchera.

You could also add some winter flowering bulbs - try snowdrops, Iris reticulata, Cyclamen coum, or winter aconites (Eranthis hyemalis). You may find them already growing in pots.

[swanbird]

Can't wait to go shopping now with my list in hand!! :D