Plants That Survive All Winter in a Window Box

Planting a window box can add life to windows and charm to the outside (as well as inside) of a house. Plants able to survive through late fall and winter's frost are typically ideal for window boxes. However, winter is hardly an ideal season for nature's growth, so the selection can be quite limited depending on the region. Ivy, vines and berries are most commonly found in winter window boxes.

A vine that does well throughout the entire winter, Virgina Creeper is a wonderful choice for window boxes. Since it flowers in the spring and summer, the added color in the off season helps to make it a year-round plant. It tends to grow quite fast with little help, and may need to be pruned routinely. According to Garden Guides, the aptly named Virginia creeper "can be a rampant grower with a climbing height of over 60-feet and a spread of over 50-feet.".

Although this vine, like the Virginia creeper, can be invasive if not properly pruned, Boston ivy makes for an excellent winter window box plant. The trailing ivy will create an eye catching adornment to the window box.

This flower is another candidate for winter window boxes. According to The Flower Expert, "different varieties of Heather Flowers bloom from late July to November in the northern hemisphere. The flowers may turn brown but still remain on the plants over winter, and this can lead to interesting effects".

Thriving in cold winter, ornamental kale makes for a hardy candidate for winter window boxes. Their dramatic leaves that ruffle out in gathered centers are colored purple, green and white. Unlike ivy and vines, ornamental kale will not spread. A small kale plant will remain small throughout the winter.

This plant produces displays of red berries perfect for winter window boxes. The color adds a festive, holiday feel to an otherwise single-colored arrangement. The berries are vibrant and edible in the winter, and bloom in the spring, making them a tasteful contender for window boxes.