Sally Buckner scans the rows of plants in one of the greenhouses at Moffet Nursery and Garden Shop in St. Joseph. She’s looking for a “thriller,” a showy plant that will anchor the flower box that she is assembling.

“It’s the big wow,” she says.

She settles on two Vanilla Butterfly plants, with large, white daisy flowers and yellow centers. The height and color will contrast nicely with the “spiller” and “filler” plants that also will go into the flower box.

Flower boxes aren’t all that difficult to plant. However, you need to consider the following: will the flower box be in shade, full sun or a mixture of both; will it be attached to the house or displayed on the ground; and are you willing to take the time to water the plants at least once, maybe twice a day?

If so, you’re ready to begin.

Step 1

Decide on what kind of flower box you want. Ms. Buckner chose a wire one lined with cocoa moss (the moss will hold the soil, nutrients and plants in place and allow the water to drain). There are a variety of choices available, or you can get creative. Moffet’s uses cowboy boots and lunchboxes as planters. Just make sure to drill drain holes.

Step 2

Ms. Buckner mixes one part heavy soil (potting soil) and two parts light soil (potting mix) together in a metal bucket before scooping it into the flower box. The type of soil you use does make a difference, she says. When soil is mixed, layer it half way up the container.

Step 3

Add fertilizer below the root line, making sure to follow the directions on the label. Ms. Buckner then adds 2 teaspoons of soil moisture granules (a polymer), which will absorb and then release water to the plants. Lightly tap

the granules into

the soil.

Step 4

Now for fun with flowers. Depending on how you’re going to display the flower box, you may not need to worry about flowers being seen from the back. Ours, however, is being created so the plants can be seen all the way around the container. Ms. Buckner places the Vanilla Butterfly plants in first. She decides on a tri-color exotic geranium for the filler plant and a burgundy superbena and Hawaiian Blue Eyes as the spillers. Before placing in the soil, she plays with the arrangement, moving plants until she has the look she wants.

Step 5

When pushing the plants into the soil, make sure not to cover the crown of the plants. Push some of the plants back and check to see if you need to add a little more soil. Water the plants, cutting the amount of water by 1/4 if you use fertilizer. You also can give the plants (not the blooms) a quick misting with plant spray to make them shine.

Step 6

Admire your work.

Lifestyles reporter Cathy Woolridge can be reached at cathyw@npgco.com