Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: The 3 ‘illers of container planting
We’re headed into Memorial Weekend, the traditional time when cold climate gardeners really start planting.
I started with something simple:
With climate change, many have already indulged (and then we had 38 degree nights…). Of course, there’s always room for more!
Plant love overload is REAL, people! To help with ideas, use the tried and true three ‘illers: Thrillers, Fillers and Spillers for easy plant combos.
Thriller – big, bold and beautiful. This plant is the tallest and is your main accent. Could be outstanding foliage, fantastic flowers or both. btw, you can cut the flowers off of coleus… they don’t really add much!
Filler – complimentary to your thriller, these plants are generally smaller flowers that can be monochromatic or contrasting flowers.
Spiller – the trailing plants that tumble over your container to soften it. Great trailers include sweet potato vines, vincas and ivies.
First rule, make sure you choose plants that like the same conditions, in particular sun/shade preferences. Watering requirements are not quite as critical in containers.
While the above container may not appear to be a Thriller, Filler, Spiller yet… it will be!
Here’s a recipe I created for a 14 inch pot at Wagners Greenhouse in Minneapolis: 1 plant Purple Millet, 2 orange (purple eye) Osteospermum, 1 purple Osteospermum, 1 purple sweet potato vine, 1 Swedish Ivy and 1 ‘White Nancy’ lamium (which is a perennial here and can be planted in the ground this Fall).
More container fun – you don’t have to follow any “rules”, except for sun/shade. The rest is really up to you. The ‘illers are simply a guide!
