• An example of the pretty display that can be created in a window box.WINDOW BOX image by brelsbil from Fotolia.com
  
  Window box gardens have multiple advantages. These gardens are easy to tend from inside the house, require little space, can yield colors and fragrances just by opening a window and can even double as aromatherapy or food depending on how you use them. Place pottery shards and an inch of mulch in the box to help drainage and provide nutrients to the plants.
  
  

Annuals

• Annuals are plants that have a life cycle of one year, and die at the end of the season. Use annual plants when you want to change out the garden each year. Look for colorful flowers such as pansies, zinnias and snapdragons. Verbena is an annual vine that fills up spaces in window gardens and drapes over the edge for an overflowing effect. Place annuals among other greens and perennials for a mixture when you plant more permanent window box gardens.
  
  

Herbs and Greens

• Cooks can create an edible window box garden using herbs and greens. Look for both annuals and perennial herbs. Combine flowering herbs and simple green herbs in the window box. Perennial herbs such as sage, dill and chives can yield a range of colors. Mint can be planted, but must be trimmed to stay contained. Put the herb window box in an area where it will receive full sun most of the day. Pinch pieces of herbs occasionally to keep them from getting old or going to seed.
  
  

Perennials

• Use perennials when you want to simply set it and almost forget it. Perennials such as phlox, coneflower, thyme and jasmine make colorful cascades that return each year. Keeping water and soil levels at constant levels makes perennial window box gardens very low maintenance. Use vine perennials such as morning glory along upper windows to create a seasonal cascade effect during the early morning hours.