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Transforming your patio, balcony, or garden into a verdant oasis shouldn’t be a puzzle of what plants to choose.
But it’s easy to feel overwhelmed when you’re faced with the vast array of plant options, striving to create that perfect container garden that blooms with life and color through the seasons.
So, let’s unravel the mystery of selecting the ideal plants for a stunning display, guiding you through the “Thriller, Filler, Spiller” technique—a foolproof formula to craft visually captivating container gardens with ease.
With this curated list of plants categorized into thrillers, fillers, and spillers, we can eliminate the guesswork, ensuring you can confidently create combinations that are not only beautiful but also tailored to thrive with minimal fuss.
Whether you’re a seasoned green thumb or a novice eager to bring a touch of nature to your living space, this guide promises to transform your gardening journey, turning your containers into masterpieces of texture, color, and form.
Let’s dive in and choose the thrillers, spillers and fillers for our pots, baskets, and containers.
Thrillers
These are the showstoppers of your container, adding height and drama. Think of them as the leading characters in your garden story.
Go big, go bold.
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Purple Fountain Grass
Purple Fountain Grass is a perennial favorite for adding elegance and movement to gardens and containers.
Its striking burgundy foliage and graceful, feathery plumes capture the eye and the imagination.
This plant is celebrated for its low-maintenance nature and its ability to thrive in a variety of conditions, making it an excellent choice for gardeners looking for dramatic impact with minimal effort.
Its rich color and dynamic form make it a perfect thriller in the “Thriller, Filler, Spiller” technique, offering a vertical accent that commands attention.
Suggested Varieties:
- ‘Rubrum’ – The classic variety with deep red foliage and flowers.
- ‘Fireworks’ – A newer variety featuring variegated leaves in red, pink, burgundy, and green.
Growing Instructions:
- Sunlight: Full sun to achieve the best foliage color.
- Soil: Well-drained soil; tolerant of a variety of soil types.
- Watering: Water regularly to establish plants; once established, it is relatively drought tolerant.
- Feeding: Apply a balanced fertilizer at the beginning of the growing season.
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Canna Lily
Canna Lily stands out in any garden with its bold foliage and large, vibrant flowers that seem to shout “tropical paradise.”
This plant is a cornerstone for gardeners aiming to create a visual spectacle with minimal fuss.
Canna Lilies are incredibly easy to grow, thriving in both containers and ground with little special care required.
Their rapid growth and tolerance for various growing conditions make them an ideal choice of ‘Thriller’.
Suggested Varieties:
- ‘Tropicanna’ – Known for its striped foliage and orange flowers.
- ‘Pretoria’ – Features striking variegated leaves and bright orange flowers.
Growing Instructions:
- Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade.
- Soil: Prefers rich, well-drained soil but is quite adaptable.
- Watering: Keep soil consistently moist, especially in hot, dry conditions.
- Feeding: Use a high-phosphorus fertilizer to encourage blooming.
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Dracaena
Dracaena is a standout choice for bringing a touch of architectural elegance to any space.
This easy-to-grow plant is known for its striking, sword-shaped leaves and its ability to thrive under a variety of light conditions.
Its dramatic form makes it an excellent thriller component in container gardening, providing height and visual interest with very little maintenance.
Dracaena’s adaptability to indoor environments also makes it a versatile choice for containers.
Suggested Varieties:
- ‘Marginata’ – Recognizable for its narrow leaves with red edges.
- ‘Lemon Lime’ – Offers vibrant green and yellow striped leaves.
Growing Instructions:
- Light: Bright, indirect light; can tolerate lower light conditions.
- Soil: Well-drained potting mix.
- Watering: Allow the top inch of soil to dry out between waterings.
- Feeding: Feed lightly; too much fertilizer can damage the plant.
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Angelonia
Angelonia, often referred to as the summer snapdragon, brings a delightful splash of color and vertical interest to gardens and containers.
Its spikes of purple, pink, or white flowers bloom profusely even in the heat of summer, making it a robust and low-maintenance choice for gardeners.
Angelonia is drought-resistant and thrives in hot, sunny conditions, requiring minimal care once established.
Its continuous blooming and ease of growth make it an ideal thriller for adding height and color to container arrangements.
Suggested Varieties:
- ‘Serena’ series – A hardy variety that comes in purple, pink, white, and lavender.
- ‘Archangel’ series – Known for large flowers and strong performance in heat.
Growing Instructions:
- Sunlight: Full sun for optimal blooming.
- Soil: Prefers well-drained soil; tolerant of many soil types.
- Watering: Drought tolerant; water when the soil feels dry to the touch.
- Feeding: Feed monthly with a general-purpose fertilizer during the growing season.
Snapdragon
Snapdragons are a garden classic, beloved for their tall spikes of brightly colored flowers that add a playful charm to any setting.
These plants are incredibly easy to grow, thriving in cooler temperatures and blooming in a rainbow of colors.
Snapdragons are perfect for adding height and color to “Thriller, Filler, Spiller” container gardens, offering a seasonal spectacle that can be enjoyed from spring through fall.
Their resilience and low maintenance make them a favorite among both novice and experienced gardeners.
Suggested Varieties:
- ‘Liberty’ series – Known for its large blooms and a wide range of colors.
- ‘Rocket’ series – Offers tall spikes ideal for a dramatic height in containers.
Growing Instructions:
- Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade.
- Soil: Moist, well-drained soil.
- Watering: Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged.
- Feeding: Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer every 4-6 weeks during the growing season.
Foxglove
Foxglove is synonymous with cottage garden charm, offering tall spires of bell-shaped flowers that seem to whisper tales of yesteryear.
This biennial plant is surprisingly easy to grow, thriving in partial shade and adding a touch of elegance and height to any garden or container.
Foxgloves are perfect for the thriller component in container designs, attracting bees and hummingbirds.
With their majestic presence and minimal care requirements, they are ideal for gardeners who wish to add a dramatic, yet effortlessly beautiful, element to their spaces.
Suggested Varieties:
- ‘Camelot’ series – Comes in cream, lavender, rose, and white, and blooms in the first year.
- ‘Dalmatian’ series – Known for its speckled throats and faster blooming time.
Growing Instructions:
- Sunlight: Partial sun to shade.
- Soil: Rich, well-drained soil.
- Watering: Keep soil moist, especially during dry periods.
- Feeding: Apply a general-purpose fertilizer in early spring.
Ornamental Kale
Ornamental Kale adds an unexpected and stunning visual interest to gardens and containers with its rosette of green, white, or purple leaves.
This cool-season plant is exceptionally easy to grow, with its colors becoming more vibrant with the onset of cooler weather.
It’s a fantastic choice for a thriller in autumn and winter container displays, providing a unique texture and color that’s unmatched by traditional floral options.
Ornamental Kale is low maintenance, requiring minimal care while offering maximum impact, making it a superb choice for gardeners looking to create visually striking arrangements.
Suggested Varieties:
- ‘Color Up’ series – Features tall plants with white, pink, or red centers.
- ‘Peaco*ck’ series – Known for its feathered, deeply serrated leaves in purple or white.
Growing Instructions:
- Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade.
- Soil: Prefers rich, well-drained soil.
- Watering: Keep soil consistently moist.
- Feeding: Fertilize lightly at planting time; no need for additional feeding.
Fillers
Fillers envelop the base of the thriller, adding depth, volume, and a harmonious blend of textures and colors. They bridge the gap between the striking thrillers and the cascading spillers, creating a lush, full look.
Petunias
Petunias are the quintessential filler plant for any container garden, offering a profusion of trumpet-shaped flowers in nearly every color of the rainbow.
These hardy plants bloom from spring until frost, providing long-lasting color and texture.
Petunias are incredibly easy to care for, requiring only basic maintenance to thrive.
Their ability to fill in gaps and create a dense, colorful mat makes them an excellent choice for softening the edges between thrillers and spillers in container arrangements.
Suggested Varieties:
- ‘Supertunia’ series – Offers large flowers and a self-cleaning habit, meaning no deadheading is necessary.
Growing Instructions:
- Sunlight: Full sun for best blooming.
- Soil: Well-drained soil; petunias are tolerant of many soil types.
- Watering: Keep soil moist, especially during hot, dry periods.
- Feeding: Apply a water-soluble fertilizer every two weeks for continuous blooming.
Impatiens
Impatiens are a shade garden staple, celebrated for their vibrant blooms and ability to flourish in lower light conditions.
These plants are perfect fillers, creating a lush, vibrant underplanting in container arrangements.
Impatiens are incredibly user-friendly, thriving with minimal attention and blooming continuously from spring through fall.
Their resilience and shade tolerance make them an excellent choice for adding a splash of color to darker corners of the garden or patio.
Suggested Varieties:
- ‘Super Elfin’ series – A classic choice known for its uniform growth and prolific flowering.
- ‘New Guinea’ Impatiens – Offers larger flowers and leaves, with more tolerance to sunlight.
Growing Instructions:
- Sunlight: Partial to full shade.
- Soil: Moist, well-drained soil.
- Watering: Keep soil consistently moist.
- Feeding: Fertilize every 4 to 6 weeks with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer.
Begonias
Begonias are a versatile filler choice, offering both stunning foliage and beautiful flowers.
They thrive in a variety of lighting conditions, from partial shade to indirect sunlight, making them adaptable to many garden settings.
Begonias are low-maintenance, requiring only basic care to produce a bounty of blooms and lush leaves.
Their robust nature and ability to fill in space with color and texture make them an invaluable addition to the filler category in “Thriller, Filler, Spiller” compositions.
Suggested Varieties:
- ‘Wax Begonia’ – Known for its glossy leaves and masses of flowers.
- ‘Dragon Wing’ – Features large, angel-wing leaves and clusters of red or pink flowers.
Growing Instructions:
- Sunlight: Partial shade to filtered sunlight.
- Soil: Well-drained, fertile soil.
- Watering: Allow the topsoil to dry out slightly between waterings.
- Feeding: Feed monthly with a balanced liquid fertilizer.
Coleus
Coleus is a standout filler plant, celebrated not for its flowers but for its stunningly colorful and patterned foliage.
Thriving in both sun and shade, Coleus offers endless variety to gardeners looking to add a splash of color without the need for blooms.
Easy to grow and maintain, Coleus can be pinched back to encourage bushier growth, making it an ideal plant to fill out any container garden.
Its versatility and low-maintenance nature make it a favorite among those looking to create visually striking arrangements with minimal effort.
Suggested Varieties:
- ‘Kong’ series – Known for its large leaves and bold patterns.
- ‘Wizard’ series – Offers a compact size perfect for container growing.
Growing Instructions:
- Sunlight: Thrives in partial shade but can tolerate full sun in cooler climates.
- Soil: Prefers well-drained, fertile soil.
- Watering: Keep soil consistently moist, avoiding waterlogged conditions.
- Feeding: Fertilize every two weeks with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer.
Lantana
Lantana is a robust filler plant that brings a festive explosion of color and a wildflower charm to container gardens.
Known for its heat and drought tolerance, Lantana is a low-maintenance choice for gardeners looking for continuous blooms throughout the summer.
The clusters of small, colorful flowers not only add a vibrant pop of color but also attract butterflies, adding an extra layer of life to your garden.
Its resilience and easy care make Lantana an excellent choice for adding long-lasting color and texture as a filler in your container arrangements.
Suggested Varieties:
- ‘Bandana’ series – Larger flowers and a wide range of colors.
- ‘Little Lucky’ series – Compact growth habit, ideal for containers.
Growing Instructions:
- Sunlight: Full sun for best flowering.
- Soil: Well-drained, moderately fertile soil.
- Watering: Drought tolerant; water when the top inch of soil is dry.
- Feeding: Light feeding; too much fertilizer can reduce blooming.
Heliotrope
Heliotrope is celebrated for its dense clusters of fragrant, deep purple flowers that can add both visual beauty and a delightful scent to any garden setting.
Thriving in sunny locations, Heliotrope is a fantastic filler plant that provides a continuous display of blooms throughout the growing season.
Its ease of care and ability to attract pollinators make it a valuable addition to container gardens, especially for those looking to create a sensory experience.
Heliotrope’s rich color and fragrance make it an excellent choice for filling the middle layer of the “Thriller, Filler, Spiller” container arrangement.
Suggested Varieties:
- ‘Marine’ – Known for its dark purple flowers and strong fragrance.
- ‘Fragrant Delight’ – Offers a mix of colors and a powerful vanilla scent.
Growing Instructions:
- Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade.
- Soil: Well-drained, fertile soil.
- Watering: Keep soil consistently moist, but not waterlogged.
- Feeding: Apply a balanced, liquid fertilizer every 4 weeks during the growing season.
Fuchsia
Fuchsia is a captivating filler with its unique, pendulous flowers that dangle like jewels from the plant’s branches.
Known for their exquisite shapes and striking color combinations, Fuchsias add an air of sophistication and elegance to any container garden.
These plants thrive in cooler temperatures and partial shade, making them ideal for adding a splash of color to shaded garden spots.
Fuchsias are relatively easy to grow, requiring consistent moisture and a little extra care to ensure a bountiful display of their mesmerizing blooms.
Suggested Varieties:
- ‘Swingtime’ – Features large, double flowers with white sepals and red petals.
- ‘Dark Eyes’ – Known for its deep purple petals and contrasting red sepals.
Growing Instructions:
- Sunlight: Prefers partial shade; too much sun can lead to leaf scorch.
- Soil: Moist, well-drained soil rich in organic matter.
- Watering: Keep soil consistently moist, avoiding drying out but not waterlogged.
- Feeding: Fertilize every 2-4 weeks with a high-potash liquid fertilizer to encourage blooming.
Spillers
Spillers cascade over the edges of containers, adding an element of grace and movement. They soften the arrangement’s edges and draw the eye downward, completing the visual story of the container garden.
Sweet Potato Vine
Sweet Potato Vine is a vigorous grower, known for its heart-shaped leaves and stunning colors that range from bright green to deep purple.
Its ability to spill over the edges of containers makes it an ideal choice for adding drama and depth to garden compositions.
This plant is incredibly easy to grow, thriving in both sun and shade, and requires minimal care once established.
Sweet Potato Vine can quickly cover a large area, providing a lush, cascading effect that enhances the overall beauty of the container garden.
Suggested Varieties:
- ‘Margarita’ – Offers bright lime-green foliage, perfect for lighting up shaded areas.
- ‘Blackie’ – Known for its deep purple to almost black foliage, adding dramatic contrast.
Growing Instructions:
- Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade; brighter light intensifies leaf color.
- Soil: Well-drained soil.
- Watering: Water regularly to keep the soil evenly moist.
- Feeding: Apply a balanced, liquid fertilizer every 4 to 6 weeks during the growing season.
Creeping Jenny
Creeping Jenny is a versatile spiller plant, adored for its bright, chartreuse leaves that provide a striking color contrast in container arrangements.
This plant thrives in both sun and partial shade, making it adaptable to various garden settings.
Creeping Jenny is known for its fast growth and ability to create a dense mat of foliage, which spills over container edges in a beautiful cascade.
Its low maintenance and resilient nature make it an excellent choice for gardeners looking to add a vibrant splash of color and texture to their container gardens.
Suggested Varieties:
- ‘Aurea’ – Characterized by its golden-yellow leaves, offering a brighter hue.
- ‘Goldilocks’ – Known for its vigorous trailing habit and intense golden foliage.
Growing Instructions:
- Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade; more sun produces brighter yellow leaves.
- Soil: Moist, well-drained soil.
- Watering: Keep soil consistently moist for best growth.
- Feeding: Fertilize monthly with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer.
Ivy
Ivy is a classic choice for spillers in container gardening, offering elegant, trailing vines that can add a touch of sophistication to any arrangement.
Its lush green leaves come in various shapes and sizes, depending on the variety.
Ivy is remarkably easy to grow, thriving in a range of light conditions and requiring minimal care.
It’s particularly well-suited for creating a verdant cascade that complements both the thrillers and fillers in a container garden, bringing a sense of continuity and grace to the composition.
Suggested Varieties:
- English Ivy (Hedera helix) – Known for its versatility and hardiness.
- Variegated Ivy – Offers leaves with contrasting colors for additional visual interest.
Growing Instructions:
- Sunlight: Thrives in partial to full shade; variegated types need some light to maintain their color.
- Soil: Prefers well-drained, moist soil.
- Watering: Keep soil evenly moist, reducing watering in the winter.
- Feeding: Feed with a balanced, liquid fertilizer every month during the growing season.
Trailing Lobelia
Trailing Lobelia is a gem in the container garden, offering a delicate cascade of jewel-toned flowers, most notably in striking shades of blue.
This plant is a favorite for its continuous blooming throughout the cooler months and into the summer in milder climates.
Trailing Lobelia is incredibly easy to care for, requiring only regular watering and occasional feeding to maintain its stunning display.
Its ability to spill over edges with a soft, yet vibrant, floral waterfall makes it an excellent choice for adding color and texture to the lower tiers of “Thriller, Filler, Spiller” arrangements.
Suggested Varieties:
- ‘Riviera Blue’ – Known for its vibrant blue flowers and heat tolerance.
- ‘Cascade’ series – Offers a variety of colors and a profuse trailing habit.
Growing Instructions:
- Sunlight: Prefers full sun to partial shade.
- Soil: Well-drained, fertile soil.
- Watering: Keep soil consistently moist, especially during hot periods.
- Feeding: Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer every 4-6 weeks during the growing season.
Verbena
Verbena is a vigorous spiller known for its clusters of small, brightly colored flowers that bloom relentlessly from spring through fall.
This plant is a standout for its drought tolerance and low maintenance, thriving in hot, sunny conditions with minimal care.
Verbena’s ability to cascade beautifully over the sides of containers makes it a perfect choice for adding a lively splash of color and texture to garden arrangements.
Its resilience and long blooming period make it an invaluable addition to the “Thriller, Filler, Spiller” gardening technique.
Suggested Varieties:
- ‘Tuscany’ series – Offers a robust trailing habit and vibrant colors.
- ‘Superbena’ series – Known for its large flowers and disease resistance.
Growing Instructions:
- Sunlight: Full sun for best flowering.
- Soil: Well-drained soil; tolerant of poor soils.
- Watering: Drought tolerant; water when the soil feels dry to the touch.
- Feeding: Light feeding; too much fertilizer can inhibit blooming.
Bacopa
Bacopa is a charming spiller plant, celebrated for its continuous display of small, star-shaped flowers and its dense, trailing foliage.
It thrives in cooler temperatures but performs well throughout the summer in most climates, making it a versatile choice for gardeners.
Bacopa’s low-maintenance requirements and ability to create a soft, cascading effect are perfect for softening the edges of container arrangements.
Its gentle, flowing nature adds an element of tranquility and elegance to the “Thriller, Filler, Spiller” composition.
Suggested Varieties:
- ‘Snowflake’ – Known for its abundance of white flowers.
- ‘Blue Bubbles’ – Offers beautiful lavender-blue flowers.
Growing Instructions:
- Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade.
- Soil: Well-drained, moist soil.
- Watering: Keep soil consistently moist, without waterlogging.
- Feeding: Fertilize every 2-4 weeks with a water-soluble fertilizer to support continuous blooming.
Wave Petunias
Wave Petunias are renowned for their spectacular trailing habit and their ability to cover a large area with vibrant, colorful blooms.
These plants are the epitome of low-maintenance, requiring no deadheading to continue their prolific display throughout the growing season.
Wave Petunias are an excellent choice for spillers, offering an instant impact with their mass of flowers and ability to drape gracefully over container edges.
Their robust growth and adaptability make them a favorite for gardeners looking to create eye-catching containers with minimal effort.
Suggested Varieties:
- ‘Easy Wave’ series – Known for its easy care and wide range of colors.
- ‘Tidal Wave’ series – Features a “hedgiflora” habit, growing outward and upward for a dramatic display.
Growing Instructions:
- Sunlight: Full sun for most vigorous growth.
- Soil: Well-drained, fertile soil.
- Watering: Water regularly, especially during hot, dry periods.
- Feeding: Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at planting and supplement with liquid fertilizer every 2-4 weeks.
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