Floor boxes (like window boxes?)

I would like to have some flowers set against my house on the patio so would need lots of pots or boxes. I would prefer a continuous 'line' so some type of long box would be better than pots. What type of box could I use - window boxes or make one out of plywood? I would like to plant enough stuff in there so that there are flowers from feb - nov, is this possible? (would a window box be too small for this?) Tall type plants would be better for setting against the house e.g. tulips and no whites (the house is white) any recommendations for flowers for a year round display? Again any pics are welcome as I don't know most plants by name but could look them up on google if you don't have any pics.

 

Plywood, as loofah mentions isn`t the best it will rot in no time. I have had a good experience with roofing laths. Cheap too. I reckon I could make a long box for under £6, but you will need to stain them-creosote substitute is very low price aswell-although I would have a nosey round your local pound shops. There is usually deckstain or something similar for exterior surfaces in them.

If you aren`t too sure of diy then use exterior no nails glue-again it hasn`t let me down but don`t get it everywhere it doesn`t cover well.

Also be careful you give the planter feet-I imagine it gets quite nippy in them



The white flowers thing. I too have a white rendered cottage but I intend to grow a white rambler rose up it-what tends to appen with white flowers is that you see the green more clearly.

I think it is Sissinghurst that has a lovely white garden-and you can google for some images to get the idea of what I am rather clumsily trying to say.

 

Using plywood is a BAD idea! In my 'album' I've put a couple of pics of the boxes planted up 'in front of house' made by my hubby over the winter a couple of years ago. We gloss painted them, they're in full sun from spring thru to last week and are still in excellent condition after two years. He also made the wheelbarrow and the potting table.

Bright colours turn heads!!

Winnie

 

I googled Sissinghurst and could only find a village in Kent...

 

http://www.hort.wisc.edu/mastergardener/Features/botgardens/sissinghurst/sissinghurst.htm

Sorry-Sissinghurst Castle gardens

 

Those red flowers about 3/4 of the way down are nice - what are they?

 

they look too small to me to see clearly, they could be salvias or penstemon, I can`t see-you don`t mean the poppies do you?

 

3rd pic along - red flowers.

Claire - when you say give your planter feet do you mean keep the bottom off the floor? Does that help keep it warm?

 

It helps to stop it from freezing at the base. The third pic are poppies. Quite cheap from seed and the bonus is they will self seed too.

 

ooh great i'll try to get lots of poppies this year then...

Other than bulbs (see my 'bulb' post) I guess I don't have to worry about planting seeds etc until at least feb next year?