How I planted the skinny front border + window box 🌿

This skinny border is an always a welcome challenge. At just two feed wide and smushed between a patio and a white house with a southern exposure, this can be a tough spot to plant, but it's a challenge I love to take on every year with a slightly different twist.
I'm showing all the plants I put here as well as how I planted the window box to coordinate.
This area is going to change a lot and very quickly so make sure to follow along to see how it grows.
Some of these plants were provided to me by Proven Winners.
ABOUT
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My name is Erin and I love sharing inspiration and information with real-life gardeners. I live and garden in southeastern Wisconsin, zone 5b.
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🌿Blog: www.theimpatie...
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POSTCARDS
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Send me a postcard from a favorite garden and tell me what inspired you. I'm sharing them all the Q&A videos:
The Impatient Gardener
P.O. Box 99
Belgium, WI 53004
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Belgium, WI 53004
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[@susanavenir]

Loved the Manager Cat supervising Erin from the window. Werk harder, hoomun!

[@elizabethknittle2145]

I love that you comment about how your audience doesn’t want to watch you plant annuals, so true!!!Lol! Love your channel. You give so much knowledge, information I can use in my garden.

[@pamhouglan4710]

Great contrast between the purple, peach & yellow in the window box!

[@marthabourassa7909]

This year’s iteration of your south border is probably my second most favorite. Your 2019 border remains my favorite and I still use it for inspiration. I love the fact that you staggered the height of your support stakes! I don’t know if I ever would’ve thought to do that! I’ll be taking a screen shot of this year’s border and adding it to my picture book of gardens that inspire me. As always, thank you for keeping it real and relatable.

[@jadeann383]

I love The color combo this year. The carex, chef’s kiss

[@heidijones1516]

Lookin' good Erin! The combination of colors and foliage are very complimentary to each other. Iḿ glad you waited a bit to show us so we didnt have to squint so much. Good idea, thanks for that! 🙃

[@patriciagarner2732]

Beautiful window box and I especially loved seeing your Kitty in the window above!

[@maureenlevy207]

Are there some KZbinrs that you just give a thumbs up before you even watch the video because you are so happy they posted? Erin is one. Wait Erin is one of only two. Garden Addicts is the other. Just love these lovely down to earth (no pun intended) ladies in their respective zones!

[@mariemcgrath8681]

Yes, your Cat was checking you out, so cute. Back to front window boxes & below, looks beautiful & colours perfect. Love from Northern Australia, very mild Winter, not looking forward to Summer !

[@barbarafritz2766]

My first thought when I saw this pic was that I like the way you have the Clematis “waving” up their trellis

[@pcrice-lr2dn]

Thanks,everything looks WONDERFUL 💚🌿🍃

[@carlas872]

I love the queen tut papyrus too! I have it in one planter and will definitely use more of it next year. The garden along the house and window box look beautiful! Love the kitty video bomb.

[@altheab.8907]

Maybe some frost cloth and a thick layer of straw over the dahlias will help. They’re so close to the foundation of the house there may be enough warmth there to keep the ground from freezing. It’s pretty amazing in your zone. Southern exposure near the foundation seems to be a good place for them.

[@brittanyjoancogginsdepablo7311]

I've had one over winter 3 years in a row southern exposure. Close to foundation. It finally died but I think it was because the painters trampled it !

[@joniwallace1]

Same here, I had one over-winter this year and she is strong so far in zone 5 Midwest. I was shocked! Close to house, southern exposure. I might experiment with tarp on the row.

[@cherylbelott]

Cuteness at 12:03! 🐈 I love the variegation on the Waikiki! Funny how some don’t have as much contrast as others. I like both versions. I see a disruption of variegation happen with a vinca minor I have. Green and white, but randomly I’ll see a cluster of leaves that are almost totally white. I’d love to have more of that!

[@soonstrgzr]

Everything looks great! So colorful! Love the cat in the window checking out what you are up to at 12:03 my cats are always investigating what I am working on.

[@cindybohl9593]

That window box is stunning!!!You are great at combining different plants together.

[@karencrane6325]

Appreciate your videos. I learn so much from you. Thank you

[@linakhoury6623]

Hi 🌺 beautiful plants in your garden pretty flowers and this clematis is charming with this amazing color also the window box looks so beautiful with these plants .Have anice day.🌻🌺🌻

[@cyndi_acrossthelake]

Learning about the various new plants is really useful. BUT, learning about layout is equally (if not more) useful. Thank you for sharing this information - this is the essence of beautiful gardens . . .and it's not the type of info that could fit on the plant tag.😊

[@judymckerrow6720]

Very pretty Erin.🌸💚🙃

[@QueenAnnesLace13]

The strip and the window box looks beautiful! Love the repetition. Looking forward to everything filling out.

[@nadaferris5928]

Carex Feather Falls, grown here in z9b [SF Bay Area], gets huge at 24” tall and wide and seems to love the shade as well [even larger in the shade]. I love the glowing it makes in the shade and its movements in the breeze.

[@upnorth21]

I tried Waikiki Sunset last year, just for the name, I like anything to do with Hawaii after visiting :) It's a cheerful little plant! You are right, things are just beginning. My Royal Hawaiian banana is just getting into the groove, after the 3rd move-I had to find the sweet spot for it. I always appreciate confirmations from your videos, such as cutting off big leaves of Dahlias, I was just doing that, and was hoping it was ok.

[@shanamatteucci3980]

Super choices!

[@slomo1716]

I just LOVE the delicate pink flowers from the purple hearts. I'm in zone 7 and my Dahlia's (inspired by you to grow) overwintered and have had many flowers so far. But those I brought in are still growing but no blooms yet. Thanks for the tour! I am running out of ground to plant anything, but I'll find a way to get my second crop of tomatoes planted somewhere. I have a jungle with flowers as tall a me this year.

[@mollycottontail]

That window box is gorgeous! Keep us updated.

[@rebeccavukovich1837]

Beautiful, I love this!

[@shellisspace]

Beautiful as always. Gave me some good ideas for my narrow bed along the garage. I never thought about putting dahlias and annuals there. I've been trying to find sedums and other hot sun loving plants but have been having a ton of luck.

[@zoreslavazinczenko1060]

Very, VERY cool in MY eyes, Erin! Grrrreat selection! Can''t wait to see it flourish!!!

[@ladikmk]

Can't wait to see all those gorgeous dinner plate dahlias bloom later on. I've had Dahlias winter over several times now in my true South flowerbed next to house; they do fabulously in that location. This year I had PW Rockin' Fuchsia Salvia winter over in that same bed which was a nice surprise because I love the plant and my garden centre was completely sold out by the end of May. Great colour choices; and the window box looks just wonderful and ties in well. The Lysimachia is stunning!!! I have found that when my Papyrus doesn't get enough water the leaves will yellow. This year I have Queen Tut and Cleopatra planted and they are looking great. I actually supplement extra water to just those plants apart from regular watering schedule for the other plants in the beds and it does make a difference. Thanks for sharing Erin.

[@karenmorse7031]

I love everything but the window box combo is perfection!!!

[@rebeccapultz8416]

Fabulous collecto9n off pkants. I've used that Euphorbia.

[@daiseegray9110]

They’re growing in really nice 🌼🐝

[@martihurford]

I left the 2 Dahlias I have planted up against my black painted brick home, southern exposure. That little plot is about 2’ X 6’ but 3 or so feet is used by the AC which sits on the west side of the plot. My driveway (all cement) butts up against to it as well. They both came back big and are blooming gloriously. So happy!

[@mireillewilson5911]

That planter is gorgeous!! Thanks for adding the names. I took a lot of screenshots

[@paulotto2475]

Add a moisture barrier, like sheet plastic, and then add the deep mulch over the plastic, and the dahlias should overwinter. I keep Rhodohypoxis and Eucomis in my Zone 6 garden , and they overwinter beautifully with the barrier and heavy mulch method

[@carolrose4784]

You’ve excellent taste in plants to mix together! Hope I can find that carex !

[@lisajelle714]

I left most of my dahlia tubers in the ground last fall (central Ohio, 6A) as an experiment, and they all came back! And we got down to actual temp of -10F, which is the lowest zone 6 is supposed to get to. I didn’t add extra mulch or anything. I plan to leave them all in this winter, too- what a time and energy saver!

[@lorihanby6733]

I absolutely LOVE the peach with the purples!! I love clematis and sure wish it bloomed all summer. Your dahlias will be fun to watch. I’ve never planted them because digging and storing over winter is more work than I want, not to mention space. Several people in a Utah gardening group say they’ve had great luck leaving them in the ground here in the Salt Lake valley in south facing beds, especially against foundation or brick walls. Zone 6-7 depending on where in the valley you’re at. I’d love to see how they’d do in this bed for you. Especially after seeing Laura’s success on Garden Answer.

[@brunofttt]

Exciting that dahlia overwintered! As always, such a beautiful combination of plants!

[@LitlPoot]

love the color, form and texture choices ... the superbena is fabulous !! thanks for sharing and inspiring us all to be great gardeners !!! 😎

[@jessicas6289]

I always love your use of color and texture. So beautiful!

[@newt52864]

Love the skinny border ... skinny but vibrant 🤩

[@LivingwithBIGdogs]

This! This is what I wanted to see more than anything 😂❤ beautiful! I feel like I need to dig away some of my drive to do something similar because it’s full of holes from the dogs anyway and sooooooooper ugly! 😂

[@thedivide3688]

Oh I love your front border! So lovely!!!

[@barbarabennett519]

I already love the window box (& the adorable photo bomber too!😺) No Purple Bell Vine this year, Erin? Started my PBV seeds late this year. They're only 1" tall now so not expecting much sadly.

[@christinestefanides2494]

Really love your plant choices, color and texture compliment each other beautifully. Looking forward to updates!

[@amandasides5033]

I love the Waikiki. I absolutely love their little flower sets! I have one in the ground to see how it does and one in a pot.

[@juliabinford6500]

I love the plants you chose! I have had feather falls in a container in zone 8b, and it cascades beautifully. If it gets beat up by winter weather, I cut it back in early spring, and it fills back in with fresh foliage. This one and the everillo are my favorites.

[@lisarodrigues1289]

All so beautiful!!

[@krisanthemums6345]

I love the queen tut too…

[@JS-ks3sp]

Your window box is gorgeous! I am nearby in southeast WI and also had dahlias and gladiolus overwinter. I somehow missed digging them out in the fall. The dahlias were looking great, but they came up too early. We had a cold snap that they didn't survive.

[@venusgarden959]

Wonderful video🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹

[@LifeHomeandGardenwithAnaRica]

Absolutely beautiful! I really like the window box a lot!

[@patriciau6277]

Kitty had to come checkout what was happening.

[@janethayes1908]

Have I missed an update?? How’s your corkscrew vine doing?? Don’t be discouraged if it’s still small. Once it gets started it puts on a lot of growth fast and it doesn’t bloom until fall. 🌸🌼🌺

[@jla110661]

That variegated yellow flowering plant in the window box.... oooh I like it a lot! Totally new to me too. Does it have a common name?

[@TheImpatientGardener]

Well lysimachia in another form is creeping Jenny. I'm not sure if that common name only pertains to that variety or all lysimachia though.

[@gardeninggrandma5247]

Hi, Erin: I picked my first Dahlia on July 7th!! I'm so excited. Last year it was mid August!! It was a strange year last year in the garden for everyone here in New England! I have one Dahlia that is a host plant for Japanese beetles. I'm using some home remedies to see if I can get rid of them. Haven you ever experienced this problem, and what do you suggest? Also, I was wondering about the Carex--does it tend to spread? I don't like to have to chase plants down in the garden!!! 😃😃😃😃 Thank you!

[@amandasides5033]

I think I am going to try the feather falls too. I am a zone 6a. But I looked it up last year and got conflicting messages. I think I will get one and see how it goes.

[@melinaking9430]

Love this! I also have a similar flower bed & I love trying out different plants! Where did you get that trellis for your clematis? I struggle finding one tall enough… Thank you for sharing your beautiful garden!

[@SEEKINGPUSHEDUPDAISIES]

Beautiful Where did you get the window box? This is my first year after watching you to grow Dahlias Excited ty

[@eleanormarcellus8676]

Window box is striking will probably be even more so in the fall

[@gardenextra7415]

Beautiful

[@jcbfree]

Very nice.

[@patriciaflores2776]

👍🌱

[@rbrown2746]

This looks beautiful, I am loving the Queen tut in my containers this year as well. Have you overwintered Wild magic basil?

[@TheImpatientGardener]

I lack the patience when it decides to get covered in aphids but my mom did by taking cuttings when the mother plant started declining and potting those up.

[@stephaniesharkey3538]

What about your office pots???? I want to see how they did!

[@JJ-fm3hr]

SO thankful for this video - i live in an HOA and my "flower garden" is 24 inches wide and 24 feet long with the house on one side and sidewalk on the other - great and wonderful ideas here!!!! ❤❤❤

[@sonyarogersmissmagic8587]

I would have just planted some tomatoes and some beans or peppers and some petunias in the front and walked away. Or just all kinds of different sedum. Your more ambitious than me. Lol.

[@loismaudson6322]

Enjoyed the video ( u k )

[@jennypatterson6660]

How do you keep your super bena so nice and compact, do you prune often?

[@Flower_hoarder]

🪴🌼🪴PRETTY 🪴🌼🪴

[@kmagslove3983]

Love the cat creeping from the window!! ❤❤❤

[@fraukeg.facchini2691]

Ha, ha, had to watch it again to catch the cat in the window! Good eyes!

[@devonjones9419]

Is that a dryer vent behind the rise up amberness rose? Does that effect the plants at all? I have a dryer vent that I would love to hide via plants but worry it will damage them.

[@Aroundteresaenjoy]

I really like the pots with flowers in front of the window. Beautiful flowers, colorful, great job 🏵🌱🌹🍀🌺🍃

[@lindsaymason6979]

Beautiful. I feel like the feather falls carex brings the whole bed together. Great choices! Love the cat cameo in the window @ 12min. LOL

[@beybslifeintheus494]

beautiful

[@jonplatz2929]

I'm sure I could Google this but I have never heard of a Florida weave before. Please excuse my ignorance but can someone tell me briefly?

[@sheilastromberger2275]

Maybe Erin will answer, I know she can explain it better. Basically, you tie your string (or twine) to one end of your support stakes and weave it around the plant and other stakes, then secure it to the last support. As the plants grow, you add another string and weave it the same way. Many people use it for tomato support, so if you google it you might get tomato video’s, but the concept is the same.

[@jonplatz2929]

@@sheilastromberger2275 Thank you so much for taking the time to answer. I will try that.

[@SaraChristopherson]

If you haven't tried Carex Feather Falls in a container, you should! It gets long! I use it as a spiller.

[@jilladcock5648]

Very cool to have a Dahlia overwinter. I treat them as annuals because I don’t have the right conditions for storage. I’d love totry a few close to the house and see if I can add some protection and see if I get lucky. Nothing to lose since I always expect to lose them…