Is this area directly below your windows, running along the foundation of the house?

What direction does it face and about how much light does the area get?

Ginger

Since I don't yet know about the ammount of sunlight or how damp the soil is, it's hard for me to suggest specific plants, but I can comment on the types of plants I like to use around windows.

Window boxes are a nice way to extend the garden planting space and bring it in to the house, bulbs and small perenial plants work well in them with something evergreen (a good choice is small leaved varigated ivy) to hang down and fill the pot all year long. Around windows it can be nice to train a vine that's scented, honeysuckle and certain types of wistera smell wonderful. The ground right below the window is normally not seen from the window itself, you can however improve the border below the window by planting it with some very tall plants at the back. Some iris grow up tall enough to reach window height, for example. If you're extending the window, it may be possible to lower it a little to accommodate a better garden view? I'm fortunate enough to have a lot of tall old windows that start about two foot above the ground, and they give me an excellent view in to the garden. You could even replace the window with patio doors leading out in to the garden.

A few more questions if I may, Tennessee:

Is the 12 x 4 area the space that is alotted to the window garden (of a larger yard), or is it all the space you have because of property size, fence, or some other obstruction?

Additionally, is there any view out the window that you have, perhaps mountains, a lake, etc. Thanks for your indulgence.

spectre

Keep the ideas coming. The area faces the southeast. I'm thinking about placing a 6 ft x 8 ft fence at an angle to the area to provide some privacy to the area. The fence could also provide a backdrop and enable me to bring up some height in plants along the fence. The area would become shaped like a triangle with the base being the fence and the two sides, one being the wall of the house and then the outside of the area the other side of the triangle. Hope this makes sense.

So with the bed being 12' x 4', is part of the triangle in front of it grass? Or do you envision it as all plantings? A path? A garden seat? Why are you canting the fence and in which direction is the fence facing?

I think the bed is too narrow as you probably haven't allowed for the drip line. Also, as Bry mentioned above, the bed needs to be wider in order to be seen from the window. if the entire are is a planted triangle, then you have solved that problem.

Can't really recommend plant material 'til I have a better idea of the design you have in mind. Do you want a small tree or large shrub for the birds to have cover? Are you in the country or city?

If you give us more information about your plans, likes and dislikes, what you envision, you will no doubt get more replies. glad to see you are an organic gardener and are interested in feeding the birds.

G.