The ABC’s of Container Gardening… Thriller, Filler, Spiller
By using what experts have coined as the the thriller, filler, spiller method, you are practically guaranteed to design beautifully perfect container gardens every time. This concept works for large patio container gardens, wall-mounted containers and window gardens. Once you embrace which plants are which, the combinations are endless. We’ve translated the method of container gardening here, along with some excellent ways to reinvent your container gardens this season. Check out our Pinterest Board for more awe inspiring combinations!
Thrillers can be tall spikey plants like cordyline or ornamental grasses such as purple fountain grass or coleus. Thrillers should be planted in either the center or at the back of a container. For container gardens with a 360 view, always plant the Thriller in the center.
Fillers are the full bodied or mounded plants which make a planter look full, thick and rich. Place more than one filler plant around the thriller or in front for 180 view containers, midway between the edge of the pot and the thriller. A few winning fillers include impatiens, geraniums, petunias, verbena and begonias
Spillers the plants which trail or hang over the sides of the container garden. Spillers should be planted close to the planter edge along all sides. Spillers look best on one side of wall mounted containers and window gardens. Some examples of spiller plants include Ivy, Sweet Potato Vine, lobelia and creeping jenny.
Inexpensive DIY container gardens for your inspiration
Pocket full of Flowers
Cut a piece of chicken wire into squares measuring 12 x 12 inches or bigger. Fold three of the corners toward the inside of the square, like an envelope. Fasten the three corners together with galvanized wire. Cut the remaining corner off so you are left with a rectangular pocket. Line the inside of the pocket using coco liner. Fill the envelope bottom with a small amount (a third full) of potting soil. Add plants with high surface roots like succulents, lobelia or creeping jenny. Hang the envelop pocket on a hook or nail, and watch it beautify a plain old wall.
Pallet Garden
Cut a pallet board vertically in half so there are four planks on the front and two on the back. If you prefer to paint your pallet garden, add your favorite color at this point. Allow ample time to dry. Measure enough landscape fabric to fit the back (2 planks) and the sides of the pallet garden. For best results, use two layers of fabric. Staple the landscape fabric to the back with a staple gun. While the pallet garden is laying flat, generously fill the pallet garden with soil. Tip: for the best growing results, mix one third parts of compost/manure with one third parts peat moss and one third parts of vermiculite. Fill each opening with your choice of plants. We recommend using succulents, petunias, geraniums, trumpet vine, bacopa or herbs like thyme, rosemary and parsley. Optional: add more soil to the top and plant a final layer of plants. Attach a plank at the base of the garden before propping up along a wall of your choosing. Note: It’s a good idea to let the roots of the plants get established for a week or two, by leaving the pallet garden flat on the ground.
Upcycled Container Gardens
Refurbish old items around the house, by turning them into blossoming art! Broken chairs, magazine holders, old tin toolboxes or even old shutter doors can be reused to create a unique, one-of-a-kind garden planter that everyone will take notice of. We took an old chair and remove the cushioned center so there was an opening where the seat original stood. If the chair is all wood, cut out a circle or square, so that all four corners remain. Fashion a piece of chicken wire in the shape of a half of a sphere. Secure the edges of the chicken wire to the wooden corners, using galvanized wire. Fill the base of the half sphere with coco lining. Fill with a mixture of potting soil (equal parts of peat moss, vermiculite and compost/manure) and add a selection of plants. Petunias, Lobelia, Verbena and similar spilling blooms work excellent here! Top with more soil to secure, water and watch the chair grow into a beautiful addition to the garden.