Trailing Flower Stems at www.japanese-home-gardens.com

It is important to remember when selecting plants for window-boxes that they need to look attractive when seen from both indoors and out. To achieve this, a series of low, bushy plants that will make mounds of color along the top of the container is the first requirement. Intersperse these with plants that have sprawling or trailing flower stems which can be directed toward the front and sides of the box. This will help to soften its outline.

Take a bucket of tepid, not cold, water into the garden and plunge the cut stems directly into it. (Cold water to a flower has the same effect as a cold Shower to a gardener: Shock!) Use a sharp Knife or scissors to cut the stems, and take more length than you think you might need to ensure plenty of stem for flower arranging. When cutting, never pull at the stem. This can bruise and damage cell walls, restricting the free movement of water. Cut flowers continue living and need all the water the stems can take in.

Propagation and growing: sow seed in late spring, in well-drained, rich soil. If seed is not required, remove the flower stems as they appear. Self-sown seedlings will grow freely if the plants are allowed to flower; if not, propagate them by dividing the parent plants approximately every three years or so. The seeds are ready to harvest when they have turned a gray-green color and have hardened. Cut off the whole flower head and dry slowly indoors.