create overflowing window boxes and planters inexpensively

I love the personality and charm beautifully potted flowers and window boxes add to

 our home in the summer. BUT, I hate spending a chunk of money on flowers that aren't

 mature - you know the look - a sparse planter filled with short annuals. After dishing out

 for a cart full of plants I want pretty overflowing planters and window boxes today. :) 

 I'm also not a fan of paying big $ for pots that someone else has put together, they

 usually aren't my favorite color or style. 

My trick is to divide mature plants... 

Last summer with Ferns, Impatients, Sweet Potato Vine

Here is my collection of plants that will have three large 3' window boxes

overflowing at the beginning of summer for about $60. 

2 Large - Kimberly Ferns @ $13.00 ea. = $26.00 

2 Large Hanging Baskets @ $13.00 ea. = $26.00

6 pack of Sweet Potato Vine @ $10.00 ea.

I purchased the ferns and hanging baskets at Walmart and the vine at a local garden

center. (O'Tooles)  

 After removing the fern from the plastic pot use a serrated kitchen knife and divide them

 into thirds, just cut straight through the roots. They'll be just fine, trust me!    

 

I put two 1/3 sections side by side in the center of my window boxes.

For the hanging baskets of flowers I'm more careful to divide them without disturbing 

the roots. Looking down from the top separate the plants into fairly equal 1/3 sections

using the serrated knife.   

 

Plant 1/3 on each end of the window boxes. 

Each window box gets two sweet potato vines, planted between the fern and flowers.

I lay mine on its side with the base of the plant as close to the front of the window box as

 possible - it's my quirky idea that it gives it a little head start flowing over the side. 

Unfortunately, we had 6" of snow on Mother's Day and crummy weather right through

Memorial weekend so my plants got a super late start.

 I usually plant the beginning of May and by Memorial Day things are looking good.   

 May 26th - Planted

 June 14th - 19 days later

Anyone that's planted Sweet Potato Vine knows it will be no time and they'll need 

trimmed to keep them in check.

Sorry, I just noticed I took a photo of a different window box, they're all basically the same

except if you look back the hanging baskets were a tad different.   

That's it - I've done it for years with great luck.

 Do you have any tricks or tips for creating great looking planters?