Container Gardening - Thrillers, Fillers and Spillers
A Simple Recipe for Eye-Catching Container Gardens!
There is no mystery in making a spectacular container planting, as long as a simple three-ingredient recipe is followed.
THRILLERS: First and formost, a centerpiece plant with star quality, something big, bold and beautiful.
FILLERS: Foliage or flowering plants to complement, but not overwhelm, the main player.
SPILLERS: A 'splash of mischief' that just tumbles out of the pot, softening the edges, and echoes or contrasts the other plants.
As long as these three types of plants are used in various proportions, taking care to balance colors and textures, you can create a container with breathtaking results!
THRILLERS ARE THE STAR: As the name implies, thrillers are the big attention getters. They are usually tall, upright plants, with outstanding qualities such as: colorful foliage, intriguing shape, or dramatic flowers that last all season. Many thrillers are architectural plants with structural or eye-catching qualities that can serve as a rugged framework for the entire arrangement. Thrillers work best in a composition where they are the tallest plants. At planting time, the thriller goes in the center of a pot that will be viewed from all sides or at the back of a pot that will be displayed in a corner, or against a wall.
FILLERS ADD MASS: Fillers are billowy, more finely-textured plants that surround and weave through the thriller. Fillers add mass to the overall composition and establish a dialogue with the thriller. Fillers serve as a textural contrast or colorful counterpoint. As the name implies, fillers fill up the pot while embracing the thriller. Use a mix of plants for the job of filler. Use some with foliar interest and others with flowers. Since the goal of the container planting is to attract the eye, these plants should add an alluring, unusual flavor to the composition.
SPILLERS ANCHOR THE POT: The main role of a spiller is to sprawl over the side of the container, softening its edges and tumbling toward the ground. When parts of a container planting touch the ground, the pot visually looks rooted or grounded to its location. Well chosen spillers continue the dialogue begun by the thriller and fillers. Choose spillers to echo or contrast with the other plants in the composition by either virtue of shape, color or texture.
KEEP SCALE IN MIND: Planting the right combination of thrillers, fillers, and spillers creates a lush, intriguing composition rich in color, texture, and form. Be sure to consider the element of scale when selecting plants for your container. Try to group plants using fillers that are roughly between one-third and two-thirds the size of the thriller. Also aim for extreme contrasts in terms of color combination, texture, and shape. No matter what the specifics, using a thriller, filler and a spiller is a sure recipe for success.
All container gardens, from flowers to herbs and vegetables to
watergardens, look showiest when they bring together a variety of plants. Choose a tall plant for drama and height, a flowering plant for color, a trailing plant to extend the color outside of the container, and smaller plants to fill the gaps. Even the smallest patio or porch can boast a llvely container garden. Planter boxes, wooden barrels, hanging baskets and large flower pots are just some of the ideas for containers for mini-gardens. Containers used for gardens are limited only by your imagination! Here are some guidelines, to make creating a container garden easier:
• Avoid containers with narrow openings.
• Terracotta pots dry out rapidly, so they must be watered frequently.
• Glazed ceramic pots are excellent, but require several drainage holes.
• Wooden containers look great, but will rot eventually, except for redwood and cedar, which are relatively rot resistant. Avoid treated wood - the vapors can damage the plants.
• Use containers between 15 and 120 quarts capacity - small pots restrict the root area and dry out quickly.
• Deep rooted vegetables require deep pots.
• Make sure that your pot has adequate drainage - holes should be 1/2 inch across. Line the base with newspaper to prevent soil loss.
• In hot climates or hot areas of your garden, use light colored containers to lessen heat absorption and discourage uneven root growth.
• Set containers on bricks or blocks to allow free drainage.
• Line hanging baskets with sphagnum moss for water retention. Keep baskets away from afternoon sun..
• Clay pots must be monitored closely for loss of moisture, because clay is porous and water is lost from the sides of the container.
GROWING MIXTURE: The soil should drain rapidly, but retain enough moisture to keep roots evenly moist. Compost makes an excellent potting soil, as does potting mixture. When you add soil to your container, leave a 2 inch space between the top of the soil and the top of the container, so that you can add 1/2 inch of mulch to preserve moisture.
SUNLIGHT: Most container gardens need at least five hours of direct sunlight each day. Generally, leafy vegetables can tolerate the most shade, while root crops (carrots, beets), need more sun. Fruiting vegetables need the most sun (tomatoes, cucumbers). The amount of sun needed for flowers varies depending on the variety chosen.
FERTILIZER: Because container gardens drain rapidly, fertilizer is washed out more rapidly. Use a dilute or weakened liquid fertilizer every other watering, 15-30-15. Check the labels on fertilizers to be sure that they contain a complete, balanced solution that contains trace elements.
WATERING: In an exposed location, container gardens lose moisture quickly, and may need to be watered daily. Mulch helps to conserve the moisture.
WHAT TO GROW?
Any plant can be grown in a container - here are some recommendations:
Annuals: alyssum, begonia, browallia, coleus, geraniums, impatiens, latana, lobelia, marigolds, periwinkle, nasturtiums, pansies, petunias, salvia, sanvitalia, snapdragons, thunbergia, and zinnias
Watergardens: dwarf cattail, water lily 'Helvola', parrot feather, and water hyacinths
Vegetables and Herbs: depending on the size of the vegetable, almost any container will work well; containers are also a good option for herb gardens close to your kitchen.
An excellent idea for getting started is to purchase one of the beautiful container gardens available at Stauffers Garden Centers and Greenhouses. They come complete, ready to enhance your porch or landscape, filled with the right soil, plants, and the perfect container - all ready to go! If you choose to create your own unique container garden, Stauffers has everyhting you need in one place: a variety of containers in all sizes and colors, a huge selection of potting soils and plants, plus knowledgeable employees - happy to help you find the perfect plants, to advise on combinations of color, or any other questions you have. Add a container garden to your home - you'll be delighted!
For more information, and a listing of possible plants for container gardens, CLICK HERE.
