Shade-Loving Annuals and Foliage Plants for North-Facing Window Boxes

Beyond Impatiens: Diversifying Your Lakeside Window Boxes

North-side boxes get brief morning sun then bright shade—perfect for impatiens, but you can add texture and season-long interest with these companions:

Foliage Stars for Shade

• Coleus: Vibrant, patterned leaves in chartreuse, burgundy, pink, and green. Pinch to keep bushy.
• Ferns (perennial or houseplant types): Japanese painted fern, autumn fern, or Boston fern (move indoors in fall).
• Variegated spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum 'Variegatum'): Arching stems with plantlets cascade beautifully.
• Variegated ivy (Hedera helix cultivars): Classic trailer, evergreen in mild zones.

Why Not Perennials in Boxes?

Boxes freeze harder than ground, killing perennial roots. Swap soil every other year for best annual performance.

Design Tip

Plant taller coleus or ferns toward the back, impatiens in the middle, and trailing spider plant or ivy at the front edge for a layered, full look all season.