This article was written by The Zillennial Zine’s spring editorial intern Alexandrea Ciardella. Find her on Instagram at @a6ysma1. If you would like to share an article with The Zillennial, send us an email at thezillennialzine@gmail.com.
It’s always rewarding to build something with your own two hands. If you’re looking for an easy outdoor D.I.Y., why not try your hand at mailbox flower beds? If you already have a mailbox, all you need is some soil, some flowers, and a border to keep it all in. Before we get to pick out your plants, let’s go over a few essentials.
Border
One of the first features you should decide on (besides the flowers of course!) as it will act as the base for your whole project. This border will help keep mulch or soil from spilling out and can be made of wood, stone, or metal. This step requires a bit of heavy lifting as you will need to clear out some of the dirt around your mailbox to make room for the base.
The type of material doesn’t matter too much, but if you’re like me and want everything to match, you’ll scrutinize every detail carefully until you find the perfect option. There’s wood; recycled or reclaimed wood looks the best, as it is already weather-worn and can be easily replaced. Stone is very versatile and looks good in many different styles- try using slabs, bricks, or mismatched stones. Metal is a bit trickier to pull off and looks the best when there is only a small bit poking above the ground.
Mailbox
Not a necessity for this D.I.Y., but you can always update your mailbox’s look to match the flowers you choose. Why not add a fresh coat of paint to the post? Maybe you want to change out your box and make it more unique. Match the color of the box with the flowers you choose. Why not add a mailbox that looks like a house? Why not add a mailbox that looks like your house?
You can also incorporate elements of the flower bed into the higher parts of your mailbox, not just on the base. Try adding a flower pot behind your box (some mailboxes have a small space on the beam that holds up the box) or a hanging planter below it. Some boxes are designed with small flower beds on both sides, which can hold a few small flowers. If you want to go for a more natural look, buy flowers or plants that can climb up your mailbox. Flowers like star jasmine or chocolate vine can climb upwards and grow small flowers.
Make sure to research the types of vine or ivy you plan to add to your mailbox. Some plants, like the chocolate vine, are an invasive species and are banned in certain states.
Flowers
The most important aesthetical aspect of your flower bed; the flowers! There are two types of flowers to keep an eye on; perennials and annuals. It’s important to know the difference between the two, as it can determine how often you will need to plant them.
Annuals and Perennials
Annuals are flowers that bloom and live for roughly a year before dying. These flowers are generally inexpensive and can drop seeds which can then be replanted next year (a great money-saving hack if you really enjoy planting every year). These flowers are low-maintenance, which is great for those of us who may not have a green thumb or who may be too busy to care for them.
Perennials are flowers that live for more than one season and a few species can live up to a decade. Depending on the flower, they might bloom in the summer, spring, fall, or even winter. However, many perennials only bloom for a short period of time, so plan your flower bed accordingly.
Climbing plants
As mentioned above, climbing plants are a great way to decorate your mailbox and make it look more natural. Most ivy and vine plants can be found at gardening centers or the gardening section of hardware stores. Plants like Boston Ivy and English Ivy, or flowers like wisteria and honeysuckle are easy to buy and grow for your front yard.
It’s also important to be mindful of how much sun your mailbox flower bed will be getting daily. Some flowers require a lot of sun, some require half-sun, half-shade, while others require a lot of shade to thrive. Make sure to pick out flowers that will get the right amount of sun in your flowerbed, or you may end up accidentally killing them!
Below is a short list of a few flowers you might want to consider planting for your flower bed. Separated by annuals and perennials, you may have seen some of these flowers in your neighborhood!
Annuals
Annual Sage, Bachelor’s Button, Begonia, Celosia, Cosmos, Dahlias, Geraniums, Pansy, Petunias, Poppy, Pot Marigold, Sunflowers, Snapdragon, Sweet Peas, Zinnias
Perennials
Asiatic lily, Asters, Black-eyed Susans, Chrysanthemum, Daffodils, Daylily, Hardy Hibiscus, Peony, Perennial sage, Pincushion Flower, Stonecrop, Switchgrass, Veronica, Yarrow
Have you seen mailbox flower beds? Let us know in the comments below!
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