Your Guide to Container Gardening

 

It’s time to create colorful plantings in your favorite pots—or maybe fill a few new ones! The classic Thriller, Filler, Spiller formula is an easy way to build a beautiful container, but you don’t have to follow the same layout every time.

Let’s up our game with Thriller, Filler, Spiller 2.0 by playing with texture, height, placement, and different plant combinations!

 

 
 

A Quick Review

 

Thriller – The focal point of your container and the plant that provides the “wow” factor. Thrillers often add height, bold foliage, dramatic flowers, or an interesting shape.

Filler – The plants that complement your Thriller and fill in the surrounding space. These are perfect for adding additional color, texture, and fullness.

Spiller – The trailing plants that cascade over the edge of the container, softening the sides and tying everything together.

 
 

Switch Up the Placement

 

Your Thriller doesn’t always have to go directly in the center!

For a container that will primarily be viewed from one direction, try placing the Thriller toward the back. Layer your Filler plants in front and finish with Spillers cascading over the front and sides.

For a pot that will be viewed from every direction, a centrally placed Thriller may still work best. The key is to design the container around how and where it will actually be seen.

 
 

Play With Texture

 

Color isn’t the only way to create an interesting container. Mixing plants with different textures can take a combination from ho-hum to spectacular!

Try combining flowing ornamental grasses, spiky foliage, broad leaves, delicate flowers, fine-textured foliage, and trailing plants to create contrast.

You can also mix different shades of green with colorful or variegated foliage for a container that looks beautiful even when fewer plants are blooming.

 
 

Try Something Different

 

Not every container needs a tall Thriller! Succulents and Sedums can create beautiful low-profile arrangements in bowls and shallow containers.

Just make sure the container has adequate drainage and choose plants with similar light and moisture requirements. Succulents especially need a well-draining potting mix and shouldn’t be paired with plants that prefer consistently moist soil.

Place these lower arrangements on tables, steps, patios, or at ground level to add another layer of height and interest to your container garden.

 
 

Don’t Forget the Growing Conditions

 

No matter how beautiful the combination looks, the plants in a shared container need compatible growing conditions.

Choose plants that prefer similar amounts of sun or shade and have similar watering needs. Also consider the mature size and growth rate of each plant so one vigorous variety doesn’t quickly overwhelm everything else in the pot.

And always start with a container that has good drainage holes and a quality potting mix designed for containers.

 
 

Keeping It Simple

 

Once you understand the basic Thriller, Filler, Spiller formula, have fun with it! Move things around, mix different textures, experiment with foliage, and create combinations that fit your own style.

There really isn’t just one “right” way to create a beautiful container—the goal is to choose plants that look great together and enjoy the same growing conditions.