Welcome to the 847th Metamorphosis Monday! So I’m thinking of doing something this spring that I didn’t think I would ever do. I have a feeling this idea is going to be rather controversial. When I first saw the Dollhouse available on the market around 3-4 years ago, here’s how it looked in the real estate ad. The yard and gardens were well-maintained. Unfortunately, I never had an opportunity to see it or even think of making an offer back then since the house was only on the market for a day. There were over 20 showings that day, with multiple bids, and the house sold for way over the asking price. Just wasn’t meant to be.
When the house came up for sale again early last spring, the landscaping had changed pretty drastically. This isn’t the best photo to share since it was listed in late winter/early spring, but the tree on the right side of the house had started to take over the front walkway. I remember the first time my realtor took me through the house, we had to duck down really low to get under/past the tree and onto the front porch. The second time we returned for the final walkthrough, the seller’s movers had pulled the limbs all the way back to the trunk of the tree and had taped them down to the trunk with brown packing tape. That image is still stuck in my head because it was so weird.
During one of the visits to the house, either before I moved in or shortly after, I took this photo out the window while standing in a bedroom on the front of the house. I was really confused by what I was seeing—3-foot-tall weeds growing out of what I thought must be some type of lower-level gutter. After I moved in, I opened the window to pull out the weeds, and I realized for the first time that the house actually had window boxes on the front. That’s what the weeds were growing in! The window boxes were completely hidden by the tree, so I hadn’t realized they were there!
Sadly, the backyard was in as bad a shape as the front, with 3-foot tall weeds everywhere.
The weeds were so bad, the seller’s realtor hired a landscaping company to come in and whack them all down.
Of course, that didn’t last very long since the landscaper didn’t remove the weeds, he just cut them down to the ground with a weed wacker, flowers and all.
A few days after moving in, I hired someone to help with all the weeds that were starting to return. He worked for 3-4 days pulling weeds and mulching the beds. I was in Georgia at the time, but he shared this photo of some of the weeds he had pulled.
Once I realized the house had window boxes, I made the tough decision to remove the tree on that side that was completely blocking the walkway. That accomplished three goals: It was now possible to reach the porch without having to bend way over to get under/past the branches, the window boxes were completely visible, and I was getting a lot more light into the dining room and the bedroom above. 
I couldn’t wait to add flowers to the window boxes! It was pretty late into the summer by this point, so there weren’t a lot of flowers to choose from at the nursery.
I loved how the flowers looked in the window boxes, but I quickly realized that they had to be watered every single day. If I missed one day, they wilted and looked terrible.
So I have a crazy, wacky idea that I’m tempted to try this year. I’m toying with the idea of using faux flowers in the window boxes. Gasp! Oh, the horrors! Unspeakable, right? There are tons and tons available at Amazon here: Faux Flowers for Window Boxes. Many say they are “no fade” or fade resistant. What do you think? Is this just the worst idea ever? 
Faux flowers have gotten pretty realistic these days! I love these faux tulips I bought for a table setting a few years back.
Would you do it? Would you consider using faux flowers for the two window boxes on the right side of my home? (Flowers below are available here: Faux Flowers for Window Boxes.) I may order some just to see how they look. It’s gonna be a bit embarrassing if I’m working in the front yard this summer, and a neighbor walking by on the sidewalk compliments my beautiful flowers “growing” in the window boxes. Hahaha! I know I’ll fess up because that’s how I am! Should I do it? Have you ever planted faux flowers in a window box on your home?
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Metamorphosis Monday: Metamorphosis Monday is a party that’s all about Before and Afters. Please link up your Before and After projects like DIY projects, room makeovers, craft projects even recipes. Please do not link up Table Settings, save those for our Tablescape Thursday party on Thursday. If you are participating in Met Monday, you’ll need to link your post to the party using the “permalink” to your MM post and not your general blog address. To get your permalink, click on the name of your post, then copy and paste the address that shows in the address bar at the top of your blog, into the “url” box for InLinkz when prompted.
Never ever!
You have a discerning eye, Susan so I think you would do it right and make it look convincing with a combo of thrill-and-spill cascading greenery intermingled with hot pink or purple flowers, etc. Plus, the upstairs ones would only be viewed from ground level so not up super close!
A few years ago I bought some large boxwood balls from either Grandin Road or Ballard for our front urns and was so excited about them until they faded to an unnatural blueish green color in the full sunlight and we had to take them down. I’m sure the UV-resistant stuff has come a long way since then. On a funny note, a house near ours had a line of single bunches of bright circus-hued faux flowers in colors not commonly found in nature planted directly in their mulch lining the street instead of annuals or perennials one year – I love DollarTree, but they picked the worst flowers there and it was super obvious, but they later switched them to real dusty millers which was a simple but nice improvement!
Thanks, Jill! That’s so true. If I find really well-made faux flowers, I think they will look beautiful. At least that’s the goal.
That is too funny about the citrus-hued flowers! lol I will do my best to avoid that! 🙂
Thanks for having us over, Susan. Hope you had a good Easter. There are so many gorgeous faux flowers now, but I don’t know what the outdoor variety look like or how they hold up. It certainly would be easier. If they don’t work out, then you know and can start over. Worth a try. Have a great week.
I have fake greenery mixed with fake lavender in my window box this year for the first time. No matter what I tried before, the flowers always seemed to look spindly after a while.
I’ve never been a fan of window boxes because they keep moisture next to your house that encourages rot and termites. As far as faux flowers, it depends how “faux” they look I guess.
I’m a firm believer in doing what makes you happy…not the neighbours or anyone walking by. Faux flowers look so real – unless people are coming up to your boxes and checking – (and they shouldn’t be)….who truly cares? Our window boxes are on the second story….and it gets much too hot there to grow anything….German Ivy maybe. I “planted” faux petunias…no one knew the difference….or cared! No one will stone you if you go faux flowers!!
I feel exactly the same way. I definitely would go with faux flowers because of how realistic they look today and if someone should comment say, “thank you they’re very pretty this year”! lol I believe in living the very way you want to live in your very own house and not worrying about what other people think of it. Do what makes you happy not the neighbors!
Completely understand your predicament, Susan. We have a southern facing house in the Midwest and anything I tried to grow in my cute white Chippendale planters would end up a shriveled up mess by June. Way too much heat and sun! I bought large faux topiary balls on Amazon and stuck them in the planters and LOVE the look (and having one less thing to fret over). In the flagstone covered planter box attached to side of my porch the ivy grows like crazy and is clearly not affected by heat or sun. Maybe a mix of both? Good luck! Love what you’re creating at the Dollhouse!
Definitely go faux. That would certainly look better than wilted or dead.
I have used because it’s good when I’m away – from street view they look fine if you fill them in thickly with spill and thrill – they do fade, so I replace every year. I’m sure they will look lovely as you certainly have a talent for floral arranging!
Just don’t make it so beautiful that it’s obvious they’re fake .
I’ve looked in to doing this before…the only thing that scares me is that a couple of the reviews say that some of the color has leaked down during rain (?)
Yikes! I will those reviews, def don’t want that. Thanks for letting me know, Deb!
Have you looked into having drip lines added to the boxes? It may be a reliable and reasonably priced option before deciding whether or not to go with faux flowers.
I totally agree! That’s what we do for our hanging baskets.
I say go for it!!!!!
I have been using faux flowers outside in a cute wagon on the porch for years now and also a few hanging baskets. They look nice and since I have gotten older I don’t have the energy to water twice a day (Colorado heat/altitude) and the real ones never look good by August anyway. At this point, as long as I feel these are of nice quality and tasteful it is not important what anyones else thinks. Especially if they are going to be so judgmental.
It’s really a shame the former owners did not take better care of the landscaping. I’m sure you’ll fix that over time.
As for the faux flowers in the window boxes, I say give it a go! they’re probably cheap enough still and if you hate it you can toss them without a big investment.
Real flowers do better in pots in a window box – one which is preferably lined with waterproofing. But you do have to remember to water them – LOL
Hi,
Just a tip, Scotchguard has a sun and rain shield spray. Works great for me. I use it on my garden flags and faux flowers. I also use it on my Holiday bows and ribbons that I place on my lamppost and garage lanterns.
That is one of the best outdoors tip ever! Thanks for sharing.
Great idea, I ordered some after I read your comment. Thanks, LuAnn!
worst idea ever you say?? well, I have faux flowers (pansies) right this minute in containers on a section of fence along my driveway across from the house! 🙂
As a manager of a huge box floral department, floral designer, who did hundreds of exterior installations and interior (pools etc.) Faux is definitely the way to go. ‘
Consider adding dried grape vine in loops or balls, to take up some visual space. Do three types of greens and limited amount of flowers you can pull out with the seasons and change. This will be charming with your architecture and look realistic from the street. Less flowers is the best way to go. Whites and yellows hold their color the best, I’ve cheated and sprayed red geraniums (use Design Master) multiple times when I was working to freshen faux plants when I was not gardening everyday.
Great suggestions. I was thinking some of the same things!
Thanks for those tips, Sandra! I am taking notes!
XXX
Personally, I’m not a fan of faux flowers, unless they are beautiful silk or beaded flowers on a dress. Since you are so into your house, Susan, you might consider some sort of automatic watering system for your window boxes. There are also certainly many flowers and plants that have low watering needs. (I do not have window boxes, but I do have a west facing front yard, and it gets lots of sun and heat during the CA summer time, so I understand your predicament.) Just my humble opinion.
They seem inexpensive enough – I’d go ahead and buy some. If you like them, see how they do through some sun and weather. If they pass those tests, then go for it!! If you don’t like them, you can always donate them.
I’m betting they’ll look fantastic, especially since you’re not right up on them. With one box on the second floor and the other behind a hedge, I don’t think anyone can get close enough to inspect them :)!
I think faux flowers are fine IF the ones you pick are some that would naturally be seen in your area during that time period and I would remove them in the fall and winter and replace them with what is appropriate during those times.
I had faux petunias in window boxes for several years. I used pink cascading ones and they looked very authentic. I don’t think you’ll be sorry as long as the flowers you select are good quality.
I think Sandra Mangle above had the best ideas! Greens can fade in the sunlight but it doesn’t look like your boxes would get a lot of direct sunlight? Do what pleases you! It’s YOUR HOUSE.
They do, but it’s not all day long. But the flowers do take a beating in late summer. Thanks, Toni!
Susan, I have a very pretty backyard shed that has windows and flower boxes. Having had flower boxes in the past, I knew they can be labor intensive because of the nature of the box. There isn’t a lot of dirt and it dries out quickly, so, as you said, the flowers need regular watering, particularly in the heat of summer.
So… I planted faux flowers. I love them. In my case, the shed is far enough back from the road that you can’t even tell they are faux. The one thing I will say though, is, they have faded. I’ve had them out there 24/7/365 for a few years though, so even if I refresh the boxes with new flowers this year, I certainly got my money’s worth. I say, go for it. They’re not that expensive and if you hate the look, you might be able to come up with some type of evergreen or ivy for the boxes that doesn’t require so much care.
You are not kidding, I can’t believe how fast they dry out! Your garden shed sounds adorable! In case it helps, a BNOTP reader left a comment saying that she sprays her faux flowers with Scotchgard. I purchased some to use since I have a feeling I’ll be going the faux route this time for my window boxes. This was what she recommended: https://amzn.to/3YbCpk1
Well, since you asked Susan, I’ll chime in with a hard pass on exterior faux flowers. I’d look into a drip system for those flower boxes.
I have put faux flowers in the planters that hang over my deck railings for two years now. I use a mix of hot pink and purple flowers. I still use real red geraniums and real coleus in other deck planters. Once fall is about half over (I live in SC), I remove the faux flowers and store them for the next year. They are holding up well and I enjoy looking out my sun room windows to see a colorful show of flowers! Highly recommend!
I was going to leave a comment on your post about the new file cabinet under your window in the office, but I got busy doing something else and forgot. I thought faux tulips would look good in a vase or a pretty pitcher on the right hand side of your top shelf. On the bottom shelf you could put books standing up with decorative bookends on each side. I use faux flowers throughout my house and they bring me so much joy. So yes, use faux flowers outside! When you tell people they are faux they are going to amazed!
I would try it. However, I would go to Hobby Lobby or Michael’s and buy the flowers so I could see the size of the blooms or greenery. Amazon pics can be deceiving. We shop at a store on the square of a quaint town outside of Memphis that displays faux flowers for every season. She gets hers from Hobby Lobby down the street from her store. They’re very realistic. I love her geraniums mixed with greenery. If you don’t like them, then you can switch to the more labor intensive real ones. Clara
If you decide to use the “fun” flowers, no dirt to lug and wash down the side of the house. There are no bugs. There is no need to use insecticide. You won’t need to worry about weeding. You can travel freely without watering worries. Choose a type that flowers in spring, some greenery and a late summer type. I am a big fan. You can landscape as many kinds of real ones as you like on the ground. Enjoy yourself!
If the faux are quality ones, I’d give it a try. I use faux in some of my outdoor wreaths & it seems that I can get maybe 2 or 3 seasons at the most out of them before the “fade” makes them stick out like a sore thumb. I like the previous post from Lu Ann about using Scotchguard for sun & rain. I’m going to try looking for that this year & give it a try.
I have a friend who does this and they look real. She replaces them seasonally. No one is the wiser.
As for your neighbors, if they compliment you, just smile and say, “Thank you.”
No, I have never “planted” faux flowers in a window box, but I say go for it. I know you will make them beautiful and classy. I am pondering using faux flowers in my hanging baskets on the front porch. It is a wrap porch and there are 5 baskets. I have tried to use so many different plants and spent a fortune, but nothing does well in the summer sun. So, I may give it a go. Can’t wait to see how your boxes turn out.
Do it! Faux looks great now. So much easier, time saver. Don’t worry about your neighbors. Just thank them for the compliment and go on down the road. If you ‘plant’ Vinca, you can ‘plant’ individual flowers so it looks even more real. There have been some great posts on Instagram where others have used faux in the landscape and it looks great.
No watering, no fertilizer, no chipmunks digging up the flowers, no replacing, no trimming. Freedom.
I say try it and see how it looks! It will save you time watering every day!
There are so many pretty faux flowers now days. Most people will not even look that close at them.
Our neighbor has window boxes (unfortunately I do not) and she uses faux flowers. The boxes look beautiful.
You do you and don’t worry what others may think. Life is short!
It is your second home – and I think putting in faux flowers is a perfect answer. HOWEVER it is Ohio and it is humid and rainy and hot and all the things….so I’d suggest putting in plastic. They don’t look as nice as silk – but they are high up and far away. Put in plastic, it will give you the color and the long-lasting flower look you need there. You will only need to replace every few years if you bring them in before winter. I use plastic a lot around here and it just works. The silk ones are twice the price or more and don’t last if in the elements. I only use them in covered areas, of at all anymore.
Mayne Planters makes a really good window box in several styles and colors. They make a huge difference from a wood window box. They come with a “well” underneath where the plants are in the box. I have two and they can go a couple of days without watering in the hottest part of the summer. I can’t remember what you planted last season but vinca can take the heat. They do not need water every day. If you go faux get fade resistant.
Looking forward to hearing what you select.
Susan, opt for the faux flowers, they’ll look fabulous, thrive on neglect, 🙂 and will not cause any wood rot to your planters. They will also not attract mosquitos and other insects. And if they look bad after a couple of years, just replace them! less water, care and look beautiful! Give it a go!
The auto watering system addresses the wilting issue, but it’s the sun that wreaks havoc as well. A combo of tips above looks very promising: grapevine balls/loops for visual interest, more greenery than flowers (a few seasonal flowers), and most of all the scotchguard treatment for fading. It’ll be fun to see your experiments.
If you must…..please keep them seasonal.
Go for it. As I have gotten older, I have done some short cuts per plants. They will look great from the road and who in their right mind would climb up there to check to see what they are. Beauty is beauty and if they look pretty, they will be enjoyed by all who see them. IT IS YOUR HOME…. enjoy it and do listen to negative people. You have brought joy to us for years….
Go faux! I agree with other posters – put out what normally grows in your area and don’t overdo it.
My other tip – Years ago there was an “I Love Lucy” episode where Lucy put out fake tulips for a garden show and they all melted in the hot sun right before judging. LOL!! Buy good quality ;-).
I think it’s a brilliant idea. I have a friend who has done it for years at her home – in ground! – on a knoll that is visible as cars drive by, a neighbor who has mixed faux pansies with real in his landscape this past year, and two other neighbors who have quite tastefully added faux foliage & flowers to their window boxes. Go for it. The fact that you will be going between the two houses will only mean your son & daughter-in-law only need to make sure they don’t blow out in a bad storm.
Susan,
I chuckled when I read this post because one of the posts I linked up today is about all the faux flowers that I bought to use in my pots, mainly in my back yard and patio, which bakes in the heat all day long in the Summer..I spent all Summer for the last 2 years, watering them daily trying to keep them alive as climate change has caused NEPA to now have tropical dew points in the Summer…Tropical in North East PA???? I did use some in a few pots on the front porch for Easter and I shared them in my second post that I linked up…. Mine came from Walmart and were cheaper than Amazon even though they were the same brands carried by Amazon…They are UV fade resistant and water proof…I will let you know how they fare for this Summer….Thanks so much for hosting!!! Happy Easter!!
Hugs,
Deb
Debbie-Dabble Blog
I’d do it in a heartbeat. You know the Dollhouse needs window boxes and flowers and the way for you to have them is faux since you’re not going to be there all the time.
Do whatever your heart and gut tell you! That’s the only thing that matters!
Definitely go faux, unless you know you will be able to water them every day.
I have two 4′ window boxes for front sunroom windows and started using faux flowers about 4 yrs ago. In summer I use faux red geraniums and also faux ivy mixed in. I also have faux red geraniums in 2 lge planters on each side of steps to front porch. My house has long driveway but the pop of color the flowers provide show up from the road. In fall I use faux mums with faux pumpkins and gourdes mixed in. I was always anti-faux flowers but decided to try out the *supposed* realistic faux flowers made for outside frankly because I was getting tired of staying up on making sure they rec’d the constant watering and became frustrated having to replace dying plants sometimes.
The red geraniums and ivy and so realistic that it requires touching them to realize they aren’t. The mums aren’t quite as realistic but good enough for me. I’m glad a gave them a try and aside from not having to water them, love the fact that I can pack them away and reuse them every season. The geraniums I purchased were from Nearly Natural. They cost more than those found on Amazon (where I purchased the mums) but considering I reuse them every season it’s not bad.
I say order a few to see if they’re realistic enough for you. If not, you can always return them.
I say yes also. At least until you’re there full time. The manufacturing of faux blooms has really come a long way. And they last longer.
It’s hard to keep up the landscaping for two homes. I went faux several years ago and never looked back. They look great all the time and my neighbors can’t tell the difference. Look for UV resistant, realistic plants like lavender, etc. I have had good luck with one particular brand.
Ahhh!! What brand is that and where do you buy it, Cathy?
I think faux flowers would be fine. I would stick to one or two colors to be more realistic and I would insert a lot of greenery.
Well, I’m a Master Gardener (taken the course through University Extension and have attained the emeritus status- 10+ years) and THIS year I’m putting in faux flowers in my front porch urns! I am done starting seedlings or buying lovely flowers at the nursery only to feed the local rabbit/oposum/squirrel population! I have other places on our property that will have live flowers and ferns but the front porch is too easy pickings to continue to be frustrated. I’ve tried all sorts of deterrents over the years but whatever these creatures are, they are tenacious! I’m ordering some cascading petunias from Amazon and hope they look as good as the ad. You do what you think will be easiest for you. If you’ll be living between your two homes again, think about who will have to water for you while you are gone.
Well, since you asked, knowing we all have different opinions. I don’t like the two colors in the photo. But, faux flowers are the way to go. Michael’s has waterproof artificial flowers that many buy for the cemetery and are in the sun and rain. I had some wayerproof sunflowers that got wet and I was so surprised how quickly they returned to normal. I would try red geraniums and maybe change them to poinsettias for Christmas. I am not a fan of Walmart, but being homebound and getting deliveries from them, they had a really good price on red geraniums, so I made a flower box. Unless you pick them up, no one knows the difference. You could make a matching flower pot for the porch. Pansies are pretty but a spring flower and limited.
The person that had plants turn blue, was cheated. I only had that one time with cheap greenery from the dollar store. Hopefully, you returned them.
I stopped by to say, I see Amazon has some of your book nook kits on deal. (I am not sure i have anything new to contribute to the real vs. faux discussion). I so enjoy reading your blog.
Go for the faux – they will look great! I found this out when we downsized and our screen patio gets only late day sun on one little corner so NOTHING really grew out there. I went with faux and it looks great. As for people asking, I know it’s hard but just say “thank you”! Even indoors faux is so good…a friend gifted me a nice little orchid as a housewarming gift. I killed it fast. It was a small orchid and I found one very similar in an interior design shop near me. It looks the same…and everytime she visits she comments on how nice the orchid looks – and I say “thank you”! I know, that is not “me” either, but I am getting used to it. Enjoy the Spring in your adorable home!
I say go for it! There are lots of very real looking faux flowers on the market so give it a try!!
I love love love my FAUX geraniums I purchased from Nearly Natural! They look so real and I’m so very pleased with them. Back in October 2024 I had a stroke and when it came time to plant the first part of April, I decided to go with faux plants for my planters out on my deck because I just wasn’t sure if I was going to be able to water them and water them as much as they were going to need. They have now been through two large rain storms and small hail and they’ve been in my planters now for five weeks. I’m enclosing a picture in hopes that you will be able to see it. I’ve been a follower of yours for quite some time and I’ve never responded, but I just had to say this was a no-brainer for me because of my stroke (no pun intended because the my stroke was in my brain!!!)
I have a brown thumb with the best of them. I always use faux flowers in my front urns. I try to find seasonal flowers that will hold up for several months. They always look much better than spindly, wilted or half dead flowers in my opinion and I don’t have to worry about watering the heck out of them to keep them looking decent.
I think it’s worth a try!
Several people in my neighborhood use a window box watering system that runs on a timer. It might be worth talking to a local plant nursery to get a recommendation for a good installer who knows how to place the watering tubes discreetly.
I used to have a lot of window boxes and small containers in wishing wells full of flowers. When it was hot I would have to water them at least 3 times a day. I changed most of them to artificial flowers. They look so real and they are always in bloom and look beautiful all through the summer and into the fall. I say go for it and if you aren’t please you can always pull them out and plant real ones.
Maybe… If you keep the faux flowers appropriate to the season it might work. FWIW, our next door neighbor has faux flowers in her upstairs window box, never changes them out, and it’s not my favorite look. Real flowers take a lot of care which can be a pain but worth it in my opinion.
I have several window boxes and in recent years have done a combination of living greens including ferns, ivy and vinca with faux red geraniums. The “real” greens are more tolerant and don’t require daily watering. And the faux geraniums add color throughout our Michigan summer.
I have window boxes under my bedroom windows that face the north. About the only thing I can get to grow there that is colorful is impatiens and ivy. Because the window boxes were underneath an overhang, I had to water them every day, even when it rained, as the overhang prevented them from receiving the benefit of the rain. I finally ordered some faux flowers last year and I’m sorry I didn’t do it earlier! I think the last time I planted impatiens, it cost approx. $84 for the two boxes. The faux flowers cost about the same, but I’ll be able to get several years worth of use out of them. They look wonderful and from the road or the driveway, you’d never know that the flowers aren’t real. I’d give the faux flowers a try. You can always go back to real ones if you aren’t happy with them.
I would use a faux ivy or green plant, never flowers! My neighbor has faux somethings in her window boxes on the second floor. They have been there for several years, simply hideous!
Only faux for me! Buy quality and they will last 2 or 3 years. Cheaper than real. Always change seasonally. I rotted the front of our house from watering and termites on our deck and gazebo had great parties until we found out and had to replace a lot of wood. There is quality faux now.
Look at all the comments! Great ideas too. I use faux to add color because you can’t always keep plants watered and looking good in pots/window boxes (and animals chew and dig up live plants). Yes they fade so you get new. I think life span is around two years for those that sit outside for months at a time. Faux is relative inexpensive so you just replace. I like the suggestion of going into a store first so you can see size and color. I’ve ordered from Temu and products are ok. Michael’s and Hobby Lobby are more lush. I can’t grow succulents and the fake $ store look great in a pot. To the point you don’t want to have to keep watering those flower boxes, but you want some color in them! Go for it!!
I am happy to see so many responses for you. I’m certain most of the people know more about flowers than I do, that said, here is my two cents…first of all it is your house and you should do what is good for YOU! Secondly, knowing your taste whatever you do will be amazing. I saw an episode on HGTV (can’t remember which show) and that is what they did for the homeowner that traveled extensively. Travel or not, do what your heart and gut tell you to.
I’m all for real-looking faux flowers in the house but am not a fan of them outside. I have a fake succulent arrangement on my covered patio and it has gotten so grimy. Those exposed to the sun will fase. I’d use special soil for containers that has a substance to retain moisture. There are also many videos online that show you how to make a window box self-watering. Both should reduce the amount of watering needed. Might not help if you’re away for a while to your Georgia house, but isn’t that what grandsons are for?!
here what I did since I can’t get around good. I put faux plants in and put in some moss and seashells.
I had trouble keeping hanging baskets alive on the brutally hot south side of my home. I went with faux flowers there and they look great. Two pieces of advice: use mostly greens with a little color thrown in and don’t let them get dusty! Mine come down in late September and are put away, covered in the garage.
Good Luck!
Our home faced west and each hanging plant and window box need a 2-ltr bottle of water twice a day. Finally, I purchased silk geraniums of a good quality and hung them up in the baskets and planted them in the window boxes. One day a woman came by and asked if she could photograph the front of our house for a book she was doing on N.E. porches and how they’re decorated with beautiful flowers. I admitted they were silk and she didn’t miss a beat when she said she’d included them in the “easy to care for” section. Buying good quality, realistic silk flowers may be expensive at first, but worth every penny!
I have used faux flowers on my decks for years and think they work well. I have not had problems with fading other than red, so that may be a consideration. As you are not full time in the home, they make sense. It will always look good! And reduce the number of bugs that may come into the window as you water. I also have faux evergreens for my winter planters (we live in southern Ontario). Just add flowers such as faux pansies in the spring to update seasonally. I bought a fair amount in the fall Amazon sale and am looking forward to putting them out. I notice the water line suggestions above, and do not know how that works, does it mean water lines showing on the outside of the house?
I think it’s a good idea to use faux plantings in your boxes. You are back and forth with your housing and it would be someone’s chore to keep the boxes watered. I actually have a friend that has put faux flowers and spilling greenery in her boxes. They look good, She bought them on Amazon. So far they have not faded. This is the second year. They are planted clusters of those small petunia type flowers and a spilling vine. They look quite real. I’m sure you’ll do a good job of choosing fill for your boxes.
I use faux flowers in my window boxes. I think they look great, require no care, and so far have lasted 3 seasons.
Please go for it! I am contemplating the same thing so I can’t wait to see what you do. Faux flowers have come a long way. I have faux geraniums that are gorgeous that I have used on my covered porch for years. They are not in the sun so I am curious how these new UV protected flowers will hold up. I would love to put window boxes on my shed but don’t want to have to water the flowers every day.
Hi Susan, I put two faux boxwood balls in the urns by the front door a couple of years ago. The sun shines so brightly on the front porch that everything I planted was getting fried. The boxwoods have held up really well, no fading. I’m so glad I “planted” them!
Go for it! I’d do it for sure as long as they’re realistic looking. You’re right, Amazon has a lot to choose from and there are UV blocking sprays available that you can spray them with to help prevent fading. (also good for front door wreaths).
I do it in several areas of my yard. Living in the South as you know things can get dry very quickly. You miss a day or two watering they can die. I bought some very realistic geraniums and put them in pots of dirt. Beautiful..I was informed by a florist to spray my faux flowers with polyurethane and they will not fade and you’ll get years use from them. Erin Napier on the TV show Home Town did a friends house and used faux flowers in the window boxes. Do what makes you happy. If others find it shocking so be it…tell them to come water when you’re out of town.