So I know I said I’d do my big reveal in a day or two and here’s it’s been a whopping 2 weeks. Poop on me. The truth is, I planted my window boxes and I think they need more oomph.

Here’s what I mean by oomph:

Courtesey Luvzdollz on Flickr.

From BehindtheScenes2006 on Flickr.

From Angie Naron on Flickr.

From Joyeux Artiste on Flickr.

All totally lush and gorgeous, right? When I wrote Part 1, I had my flowers all picked out (and purchased!) and I just knew that I was going to get that kind of look. But I kind of think I struck out.

Here are my front window boxes now:

I used one of my favorite tricks from last year which is to buy a big ol’ bushy fern and take a butcher knife to it. Yes, that’s right I just sawed that sucker in half and used a half in each window box and I think the effect is quite nice.

But my issue is with the Catalina (or Wishbone flower) I chose. I LOVE the trumpet shape of these.

And I had the idea that they would just mass and mound in there and maybe even do a little trailing. And you can see in the photo above that they are trailing a tad. They are pretty up close but not so stunning from far away. I think my issue is that I need more impact!!

I should have listened to the container rule that I have always followed more closely.

Start with a thriller (something tall), add a spiller (something over the side) and fill in with a colorful filler.

Those Catalinas are beautiful but there just isn’t enough impact. So before I threw in the towel, I tried to apply my learnings to our sunny back deck where we also have window boxes. And this is where I netted out:

Geraniums, Petunias, and Potato Vine. Classic. And apparently for a reason. It looks great.

Excuse the slightly dark photos as these were taken at dusk.

So what do you think? Should I replant my Catalina elsewhere and look for a more colorful filler? Remember, it’s shady in the front there and I think tough to find a good bloomer. Any suggestions?