I ve got no garden, but I want to grow some plants in window boxes this summer. Where do I start

A. There are now lots of attractive planters for window sills available, from ultra-chic (and highly expensive) ornate retro lead planters to good old reliable terracotta.

�

It may seem blindingly obvious, but the first thing to do is measure the sill, not just for length but also depth. The last thing you want is a window box that is too big, doesn't fill the ledge or juts out so far that it is liable to fall off at any moment and maim a day-dreaming passer-by.

�

A. Although most of us want some colourful blooms, it is best to get the balance right between annuals and something that is going to give you some evergreen structure. Dwarf compact hebes are very good, and many also flower, but perhaps even better are fragrant Mediterranean standards like lavender and rosemary. Not only are they evergreen and flower, you will also get wafts of sent when the breeze blows through the window.

�

With those as a backbone, perhaps with a trailing ivy as well, you can fill the spaces with good container blooms�such as nasturtiums, poached egg plants, busy lizzies, verbana, etc. For spring, put in bulbs like dwarf narcissus and grape hyacinth while winter can be bridged with winter flowering pansies.

�

A. Evergreen ferns make excellent all-year features as do some of the dwarf bamboos, although watch out, they are vigorous and will want sinking in pots. Some of the coloured dwarf grasses are also striking, especially surrounded by gravel or glass chips. Around them plant dwarf daffodils and cyclamen for spring colour.

�