Window flower boxes in Brittany

Stunning window flower boxes in Brittany

Pretty pink geraniums cascading from balcony window flower boxes is a classic image of Brittany that many travellers to France dream of seeing for themselves when touring the northwest. Mass planted and overflowing window flower boxes are both charming and romantic.

Geraniums are a timeless choice for window boxes as they are versatile plants that can grow in almost any location, and they come in a multitude of colours.

As I travel across Brittany, homes and buildings with bright flowering window boxes are a constant feature in my photography. Seeing the combinations of colours, varieties and clever placement of pots and urns always makes me smile. It's a very Breton thing to decorate with window flower boxes and I love adding pots to my balcony and window sills once the weather warms up.

Floriography is the study of flowers

Did you know that the study of the meaning of flowers is called floriograpy? I didn’t. Flowers and their meanings is intriguing and while it’s not so popular today, back in Victorian times it was an important part of life. Knowing what flowers represented and their herbal or medicinal powers was essential for cooking, health and in society during that period.

Flower bouquets and “tussie mussies” (posies) were arranged according to the sender’s message. By sending flowers you could say what you wanted to, but perhaps didn’t want others to know or didn’t want to say aloud.

During the Victorian era, the English and French fell in love with balmy, sweet smelling scented geraniums and they became a favourite in floral bouquets and posies. The added bonus was that their fragrance filled drawing rooms with a fresh aroma. Like many in the 19th century, Queen Victoria was intrigued by the language of flowers.

The joy of geraniums (la joie des géraniums)

Geraniums flower for many months of the year and even in the colder months when not in flower, their bright green foliage adds interest. And when spring hits with warmer weather, they wake up and burst into flower. 

Easily propagated from cuttings, and not requiring a lot of effort to maintain, they are a favourite choice for pots and window flower boxes in Brittany. When it's geranium season, garden centres stock new little plants by the hundreds at reasonable prices.

The main reason for failing geraniums is "death by kindness" - or in other words - over watering. The best way to avoid this mistake is to make sure the soil in pots is touch dry before watering. This way you should avoid brown blotchy leaves and root rot. 

Scented geraniums are perfect for full sun, as many balcony window flower boxes are likely to experience, because the sun warms up their oils and allows the scent to fill the air. 

Featured in calendars, on postcards, travel magazines and books, the humble geranium makes a big statement in France, and particularly in Brittany.

Pin to read again or share with a friend

You might like these posts