Window-box trailing flowers - ideas?

[gadder]

It is getting so close to planting season, and yes I have been procrastinating on getting seeds. This year I am planning on a couple more window boxes hanging on my balcony. I would like to grow some reliable bushy flowers that will trail down and bloom all season long. I have heard that nasturtiums (http://www.oscseeds.com/ecommerce/search.cfm?globalOrderByClause=name&globalSearchTerms=nasturtiums&x=0&y=0) are good for this (and you can eat them too!)

Does anyone have suggestions for their favourite trailing/climbing flowers in containers?

[gimmethesimplelife]

There are varieties of rosemary that trail well - I'd vote for rosemary as it is so easy to grow and tastes so good when used as an herb. Rob

[Rosemary]

nasturtiums are good in nutrient-poor soil (which a window box will be after a while) and they are drought-tolerant. same for portulaca.
ivy geraniums are very pretty in window boxes, but may not be as drought-tolerant.
sweet peas - definitely not as drought-tolerant.
strawberries and indeterminate tomatoes are also good.

[early morning]

For year long color, I like sweetpotato vines pared with wave petunias....

[fidgiegirl]

How 'bout for shade? Our window boxes are on the north side of the house and rarely get sun.

[iris lilies]

Perennial Vinca is a trailing fool but it's a green plant only. I wonder if it would be perennial in your climate, in a window box?

The colored sweet potatoe vines are so nice, too. Bu they are annuals, and they have insignificant flowers. I cant see how nasturtiums have a trailing or hanging habit.

[Yarrow]

How 'bout for shade? Our window boxes are on the north side of the house and rarely get sun.

There are some varieties of trailing, vining impatiens, which are very colorful flowers that do best in shade. They are very pretty in window boxes. I used to have them on the shady side at my old house.

[gimmethesimplelife]

Perennial Vinca is a trailing fool but it's a green plant only. I wonder if it would be perennial in your climate, in a window box?

The colored sweet potatoe vines are so nice, too. Bu they are annuals, and they have insignificant flowers. I cant see how nasturtiums have a trailing or hanging habit.I love Vinca. It is one one of the few flowers that can bear up under the heat here in Phoenix - It can handles days and days and days in a row of 109F plus, provided that you keep it watered, and it looks like something from the East - not desert like. One of my favorite summer plants, but very thirsty here. Rob

[Rosemary]

For shade, impatiens or begonias will flower well... you could add some ornamental green vining plants for contrast. variegated vinca (periwinkle) is nice, does great in shade, and will overwinter in our climate.

[frugal-one]

Window box ideas for shade.....

http://www.bhg.com/gardening/container/plans-ideas/window-box-plants-for-shady-spots/

[catherine]

I always do petunias. A lot of them trail and they're really colorful. Combine that with some trailing greenery and it's beautiful

[Kestra]

Thanks for the suggestions. My window boxes are also on the north cool and shady side. Sadly it will probably be another month before it's worth planting anything there, but I'll do some pots in the south backyard a little sooner.

[catherine]

Not to push petunias, but, from Wikipedia:


Petunias can tolerate relatively harsh conditions.... They need at least five hours of sunlight every day.

I do not have a green thumb, but I love my petunias. As long as I keep dead-heading them, they reward me bountifully!

[gadder]

A lot of great ideas, thanks.

Strawberries - huh, why not?
Rosemary - for sure, but in a clay pot (Rob - days and days of 42c/109f temp? Too hot - I could never live in Phoenix - though I hear the Coyotes hockey team is doing better, and thank you for trading us Kyle Turris!).
Wave petunias and Sweet Potato vines - good combo - see if I can find the seeds.