Window boxes bring cheerful color to the interior and exterior of buildings throughout the year. In winter the wardrobe of plants for these miniature gardens can be formal, festive, functional, or just plain fun.

Often gardeners use themes to help target plant selection for their window boxes.

Since many herbs overwinter well here, window boxes planted with chives, parsley, oregano, rosemary, thyme, and sage keep seasonings within arm's reach.

Salad lovers find mesclun greens and lettuces are perfect petite residents for kitchen window boxes.

Those seeking a more formal appearance to their windows experiment with miniature evergreens such as Alberta spruce, varieties of Juniperus like Blue Star and Compressa, varieties of false cypress such as Boulevard, Thuga Tiny Tim or Tom Thumb, dwarf boxwoodGreen Gem and Skimmia japonica.

Fanciful winter window boxes dance with color and form. Strive for a variety of plant heights as you would for a mixed border on the ground. Taller specimens settle in the rear, mid- size in the middle, and petite in front. Stagger plants so as to avoid the look of straight rows.

Formal evergreens and ivy in Forest Acres. In Columbia the winter flowering plant roster includes cyclamen, dianthus, pansy, Iceland poppy, snapdragon, stock, and viola.

To increase interest intersperse a spiky Cordyline or Pennisetum grass.

For cascading foliage in the winter window box, consider trailing and perennial soapworts, Saponaria ocymoides and Saponaria officialis, creeping fig, variegated periwinkle and miniature ivies.

Since window box gardens must transition with the seasons, when planting the winter box tuck in buried treasures for the spring show with paperwhites, crocus, scilla, hyacinth, daffodils, and tulips.

Even empty boxes awaiting the warmth of spring can be dressed in style with woodland finds. Dried pods, cones, evergreen boughs, and colorful twigs like those from the red or yellow twig dogwoods can be arranged in window box dioramas.

Window boxes are relatively low- maintenance once established. However, as with any container garden, they require regular water and bi- monthly applications of compost tea, fish emulsion, or liquid fertilizer.

Splash of sunshine at Simply Savory in Shandon. Window boxes can brighten one's outlook all winter long.

Violas bring happy faces to the window in Trotwood.