First time making a windowboxHELP please

I am wanting to make a windowbox ( rectangular planter on window sill ). Can I put wax begonias and madagascar periwinkle(vinca) together?
The window gets afternoon sun, I believe from the west.
Any information will be helpful before I make a mistake!!:)
Thanks

The vinca I'm not sure about, but I suspect your begonias won't like PM sun in Texas. Even plants that are listed for sun often need some protection from afternoon sun in a hot summer climate like yours, and since the begonias are listed as sun/pt shade, I suspect they would fall into that category.

Oh no:( The window is under a walkway, but does get late afternoon sun. It is not in the direct sun. Does that make a difference? It will get around 2 hours of sun.

Thank you for your help and information!

This message was edited Apr 5, 2008 1:10 PM

In that case if it only gets 2 hrs of sun and it's not even direct sun then that may not be enough sun, Plant Files lists your vinca as full sun. The begonia will probably do OK though, and it's not like the vinca will die or anything, it might get a little leggy or it might not bloom well, but it may do fine too. With the caveat that I've never lived in Texas or grown either one of these plants, I think the ideal location for your planter/windowbox would be somewhere that gets a good amount of sun in the morning and early afternoon, but then shade during mid/late afternoon. I think that would make both your plants happy. But now that I know the area doesn't get as much sun as I first thought, I don't think that location would kill either of your plants so it's worth trying them and see what happens, if you end up not being happy with them you can always replace them with something else. (and I did see your other post saying it's a planter not a windowbox, same thing goes either way, it's really about how much sun they get, doesn't matter what type of container they're in.)

I think I may do half and half. Instead of putting them all in that spot, I am going to put them in different spots. Kind-of safe either way.

Thank you for your help and information!

If this is your first time doing this, then for trials, I sometimes fill the containers with the compost, but instead of setting the plants into the compost, I have them growing in pots for the first year, but I sink the pots into the compost, then first sign of trouble like not enough light/too much sun or shade, then I lift the plant out with the pot and this way the plants are easy to move the same year till they are happy, you can then refill the container or empty space with a different plant, if you do go ahead with my trial, remember to water the pots as well as the compost, and you need to feed your containers too as the season goes on. other plants for your situation could be summer Geraniums and bedding Fuschias, you get ones that trail/hanging or upright, all colours too. good luck. hope all works out for you and you enjoy your new found gardening a great experience. WeeNel.

Thanks WeeNel. That's great advice. I have done that before, but it was because I had a plant in a pot that was too big. I put it in a smaller pot and put that pot in the larger one and covered with soil. Couldn't tell the difference by looking. Worked good.
I'll try that again but for a different reason-
Thank you

Your very welcome, hope it all works out for you, that's the best bit about gardening, sharing ideas, growing in pots as a test gives you enough time left in the season to alter thing faster that having to wait till the next year and this way you dont loose hope if it's a new plan, good luck, sent pictures to us showing your planters, WeeNel.