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Window boxes provide a way to expand your horizons, beautifying beyond the lawn and garden.

For some advice on what works best in window boxes and how to ensure plants and flowers in them survive the season, we turned to Jen Cummings, an educator and longtime amateur gardener who teaches classes in beginner container gardening. She recently gave a presentation at the Mansfield Public Library and has also taught various classes for the Mansfield schools. She will conduct a workshop at the North Attleboro Library in June.

Some of her tips on how and what to plant follows.

Step one: Prep first

1. If using window boxes from years past, clean out old plants and soil, and wash the inside with a mild bleach solution. Then, let dry in the sun for a day or two to remove any pests or diseases from previous plantings. 2. Before planting, spend a day noting how much sunlight your window boxes receive. By monitoring the amount of sun your plants will get each day, you will be able to choose the plants that are appropriate for your specific location.

3. Use a good quality soil; soils with slow release fertilizers already added can give an added beauty boost. Also, since most window boxes tend to dry out in the heat of the summer sun, add moisture-retaining crystals (available at most garden centers) to the soil, according to package directions. These crystals help to hold moisture and release it to the plants more slowly, requiring watering less often; this is especially important if there is a summer watering restriction in your area. Be sure your boxes have drainage holes in the bottom to prevent too much water build-up and rotting.

Step two: Picking plants

1. When choosing plants, think about variations in color, either in blooms, foliage, or both. Mix and match, if you prefer, by combining different varieties of plants that bloom in similar shades for an eye-catching color event, Cummings suggests. Or, pair one type of blooming plant with different foliage plants, such as brilliant red geraniums alongside silver-green Dusty Miller and trailing sweet potato vine, which will provide a touch of texture to your display.

2. Get into the zone. Mix it up; think in "zones" of upright, hanging and those moderate in height. Taller, upright plants include the likes of large geraniums, daisies, snapdragons, dracaena or foliage plants. Moderate height plants include petunias, marigolds, impatiens and nicotiana. Vinca vine and ivy verbana can be used for the hanging, or trailer, plants. Some plants, such as certain varieties of hanging petunias, can even double as moderate-level and hanging plants. Be sure to read the grower information cards for each variety you buy as plant heights can vary widely between different varieties of similar plants, Cummings advises.

3. Pick plants that are well cared-for and are a manageable size as these will transplant into your window boxes more quickly, giving you more beautiful displays more easily, suggests Cummings. Though not initially as impressive, smaller plants will grow quickly and fill in well.

Step three: Planting

1. When planting, place taller plants in the back of the box, moderate in the middle and front, and space trailing vines evenly along the very front. This will keep all of your plants visible, even when they all grow to their final size. For a different look, try putting the tallest plant in the center of the planter, with moderate-height plants ringed around them and only one to two hanging plants in front; this will allow you to have a great view from both inside and outside of your window, since you'll have nice, bright blooms close to the house, too. On the house-side, consider using plant varieties that compliment the colors in the rest of the box, but may like more shaded conditions.

2. Don't crowd. Take note of how big each plant will get over time, and plan according to those dimensions. While you want the window box to look full, overcrowding plants will limit root growth and flower production. Place plants where their existing root ball size (based on the container they were in) can easily be fit into the window box, with room for new soil to be filled in around the plant.

3. If you discover some of the plants in your window box are not doing well, don't despair! Cummings said. Using a small garden shovel, carefully remove the unwanted plant by cutting straight down around the plant and removing the root ball, leaving the rest of the plants intact. Then, a replacement plant can be inserted to refresh your box. Try to add some new potting soil around the new plant and water well to help with the transition. 4. Don't be surprised if, after a couple of months, your plants lose some of their blooming power. If this happens, you can try several options including adding fertilizer during regular watering; cutting back the plant, letting it regenerate some new foliage; removing some of the plants, adding new soil and loosening the roots. Or, try again! Take advantage of seasonal sales to create a new look.

5. Befriend your local grower. If you have questions about plants, soil preparation, sun exposure, or anything green, be sure to ask the garden professionals where you purchase your plants. Growers often can answer specific questions about your project, as they have knowledge of your local climate conditions, soils, and plants.

What plants work in window boxes.

Suggested sun plants: Few plants will do well in full summer sun, unless watered well. Also, some of these plants are more tolerant to dappled sun and shade. Check with your grower for specific information on drought tolerant plants, too, said Cummings.

Petunias

Marigolds

Snapdragons

Geranium

Million Bells

Verbena

Portulaca

Dracena

Gerber Daisy

Vinca Vine

Marguerite Daisy

Bacopa

Dusty Miller

Dahlia

Salvia

Suggested plants for shade: Most plants require some sun, but these plants will tolerate light shade and dappled sun conditions in most areas:

Fuschia

Impatiens

Lobelia

Coleus

New Guinea Impatiens (these will take more sun than traditional impatiens, but will tolerate shade, too)

Begonias