Expert: C.L. Fornari - 7/3/2007

Question
I have a window box which faces southeast and gets mostly morning sun. I'm from Minnesota by the way. What are the best type of annuals to plant. I like vareity and color. This year I have some impatients and vinca, along with others not sure the of the names, however they don't want to grow the leaves turn brown and they stay the same size

Answer
Cindy,
Be sure you have used fresh soil in the windowbox every year - that is really important.  Also, that there are drainage holes in the box, and that you water whenever the soil is dry...in sunny, hot weather that is every day, best in the morning.

I mix some time-release fertilizer in the soil along with a granular organic fertlizer (for instance, a handfull of Osmocote Indoor Outdoor with some FlowerTone) and this feeds the plants all summer.

That said, the following are great, low maintenance plants for windowboxes in that location:
Scaevola, New Guniea Impatiens, Marigolds, Cupheas (any of them including the one they call "Mexican Heather") and Super-Petunias or Super-bena (both Proven WInners Plants and different from regular Petunias and Verbena.)

I hope this helps!

C.L.