In the UK around 42 per cent of people enjoy gardening regularly – that’s a huge 27 million green-fingered flower fans who enjoy digging, planting, pruning and weeding.
It’s a hobby that is beneficial for stress relief and general mental health, with the global pandemic and resulting lockdowns meaning that people valued and cherished their outdoor space like never before.
Of course not all of us are lucky enough to have access to a garden, particularly those of us who live in city flats and apartments.
But almost all of us have a window ledge on which we can put an window box to enjoy gardening in miniature.
Plenty of plants, flowers, and even fruit, can thrive in such conditions – here are 10 of the best.
5. Fuchsia
The exotic red and pink flowers of the fuchsia will brighten up the view from your window on the dullest day. Commonly used in hanging baskets, they also work well in window boxes. Photo: Canva/Getty Images
6. Pelargoniums
Coming in a range of bright colours, Pelargoniums will flower multiple times in a year - just cut the blooms off when they wilt and more will arrive in their place. Move them somewhere free of frost over the winter and they'll be back year after year. Photo: Canva/Getty Images
7. Nasturtiums
Not only is the nasturtium easy to grow in a window box, both the flowers and leaves can be used to add a little colour and spice to salads. This is also a particularly hardy plant that will draw damaging pests away from the more delicate blooms in your mini garden. Photo: Canva/Getty Images
8. Marigold
Marigolds are one of the easiest plants to grow from seed in a window box - saving you cash and giving you the satisfaction of rearing them until they flower into bright yellow and orange blooms. Photo: Canva/Getty Images