Our best tips for creating beautiful fall window boxes

Colorful fall window boxes in front of the house make for a warm welcome, especially in autumn when the rest of the landscaping might look a little tired. If you've had summer annuals in your window box, fall is a good time to rotate them out for something more seasonal. One of the best ways to do this is to mix seasonal favorites, such as kale and mums, with other plants that look showy in autumn, such as grasses. We love to round out our fall window boxes with ornamental gourds for extra fall flair.

To help you select the best combinations of plants, colors and textures for beautiful window box designs, it's a good idea to work with a color scheme. That way, you're sure to create beautiful fall window boxes you can enjoy until freezing temperatures arrive.

How to create beautiful fall window boxes

1. Select your window box.

Manufactured window boxes come in various styles and materials, including wood, resin, and metal wire frames with a coco fiber liner. You may need to research each type of window box material to see which is best for your needs. Or, build a DIY window box to get the look you want. Measure your windows to ensure your selection fits your space. Your window box should have drainage holes in the bottom. Use a liner to make changing your fall window box display easier.

2. Create a focal point.

When planning your fall window boxes, an easy place for beginners and garden pros alike to start is by creating symmetry in your arrangements. You can choose unique plants and arrange them more asymmetrically to be more adventurous. Start by placing your two or three largest plants into the window box. As you start placing your plants, check how the window box looks from the front and turn your focal plants until you find their best side.

3. Plant full of colors and textures.

Once you have your focal plants in place, fill in around them with a few smaller plants. Ornamental peppers, ornamental grasses, and hardier herbs like lavender can do the trick. Even some perennials with colorful foliage could work. Because these plants won't be in the window box for long, don't be afraid to crowd them a little to have an abundant display. You can also angle the plants slightly forward to show off their colors even more when viewed from the front of the box. Finally, top off your arrangement with a few small gourds and mini pumpkins with beautiful colors and textures. Pop them in wherever you can find a space between your plants.

4. Fill in gaps and add water.

Once your plants are laid out, fill gaps in the window box with more potting soil. Make sure all of the roots of the plants are covered. Water plants all at once — this will help settle the soil and plants — then water once a week for the rest of the season. A good way to tell if you need to water is to stick your finger about two inches down into the soil. If it feels dry, give your window box plants a drink.

To transition your fall window boxes to winter, remove the contents of the box by lifting the plastic liners or pulling the plants out individually if there's no liner. If the ground isn't frozen, you can plant any perennials you used in your window box right in your garden. Compost any annuals and fill your window box with fresh evergreens, small conifers, and holly berries for the holidays.

(Better Homes and Gardens is a magazine and website devoted to ideas and improvement projects for your home and garden, plus recipes and entertaining ideas. Online at www.bhg.com.)