When we visit Charleston, South Carolina, one of my favorite things to do is walk around the Historic District and look at all the wonderfully unique homes. I can spend many hours there absorbing it all. Viewing the doorways, porches, gardens, paths, arbors, window boxes, hanging baskets, fountains, gates and yards is such a visual joy. Eye candy to a gardener of any caliber from beginner to expert.
Today I am sharing a few photos of residential and commercial buildings' window boxes and other containers. I won't try to identify all the plants by botanical or common name, as the overall visual is what I enjoy.
Against the blue stucco, the red Dragon-wing Begonias look fabulous with the variegated Ivy. A dash of purple adds excitement.
Cascading lilac-colored Scaevola "New Wonder" or Fan Flower plants look great against brick walls with black shutters and especially black planters or window boxes.
Since many of the homes' exterior walls are adjacent to the public sidewalks, you get a very up-close view of the plants. There are strict building codes and ordinances in the Historic District, so there probably are rules about window boxes. I am beginning to think the required color is black.
Caribbean blue on the shutters, bench and window boxes is fabulous with the black iron and light-colored walls.
Green plants here look great with the grey-tone color of the planter boxes and exterior walls.
Ferns and green Caladium give a feeling of coolness when the temperatures are high. We try to visit the city in either mid-May or October so it is enjoyable to do a lot of walking.
Red Begonias with a punch of white are nice against the neutral clapboard siding of this corner property.
Wonderful greens cascading from these fiber planters at the windows of this commercial building make a big statement.
This home is on Rainbow Row.
The hot pink is so vibrant.
Old brick gets a visual lift with these boxes.
Coleus, Ferns and Ivy look great with a dash of red from the Begonias and Caladium.
These black window boxes and shutters with pink and white perk up this building's exterior.
Green and white, always a great combination especially accented with purple.
Cherub in an alcove.
Black pedestal planters with the black iron fence and a trailing Passion Flower vine.
Pink and white in this black planter with a Fern.
The windows of this restaurant provide the perfect opportunity for a great show of pink flowered boxes that coordinates with the pink and white of the building's exterior.
This little pink clapboard home sports a window box.
Very attractive building.
Simple red Geraniums make a statement here.
Green Boxwood in clay pots don't compete with the details of this doorway.
The Hibiscus gives this box a splash of color. Orange and white looks great on this white home.
Green Caladiums and white Petunias here are just lovely.
This hotel was very inviting. I noticed that the red stalk of Swiss Chard was used to provide color for the mostly green boxes.
These black window boxes and planter boxes sitting on the ground belong to my favorite home in the District at 21 King Street.
Star Jasmine and a dash of purple at the front door.
Front entry showing potted Sweet Potato Vines a prior year.
The side view of 21 King. Now you know why this is my favorite home.
This home has four black boxes with greenery.
And here is a lovely fountain.
I hope you have enjoyed your tour and perhaps gained some inspiration for your own home.
All the best to you,
Summer
