If you’re searching for container garden inspiration for your summer space, you’ve come to the right place! Container gardens offer a versatile and easy way to introduce vibrant color and unexpected dimension to any area, whether it’s a cozy home or a bustling commercial space. From decorating a porch or patio to enhancing a perennial garden with unique containers, these easy-to-follow recipes will surely elevate your landscape.
How To Use The “Thriller, Filler, & Spiller” Container Gardening Technique
Before diving into our container garden ideas, let’s introduce you to a simple yet effective design technique known as “Thriller, Filler, & Spiller.” This method helps you create a balanced and visually appealing container garden. While you can certainly add your own creative touch, this technique provides a solid foundation for building stunning container gardens year after year. When selecting plants, keep these elements in mind:
- Thriller: Start by choosing a “thriller” plant that serves as the focal point. This could be a tall, dramatic, or brightly colored plant that adds vertical height or vibrant color to your container. Thrillers are typically the showstoppers of the arrangement, drawing attention with their striking leaves, flowers, or unique growth habit. Examples include tall ornamental grasses, eye-catching flowering perennials like tall salvias, or a bright red spike like ‘Red Hot Poker’ or ‘Royal Candles’ Astilbe. These plants not only add vertical interest but also serve as a backdrop that highlights the rest of the container’s composition.
- Filler: Next, select “filler” plants that surround the thriller. These plants have a round or mounded growth habit, adding density and contrast to the container. Fillers are crucial for creating a well-rounded and harmonious arrangement. They can include smaller perennials, annuals, or foliage plants that complement the thriller’s height and color. Think of plants like ‘Maui Buttercups’ Hosta, ‘Variegata’ Siberian Bugloss, or ‘Primo® ‘Wild Rose’ Coral Bells. These plants fill in the gaps around the thriller, providing lush foliage, rounded forms, and subtle contrast in texture and color.
- Spiller: Finally, choose a “spiller” plant that will cascade over the edges of the container. This plant can be a ground cover or a low-growing perennial that softens the container’s border and spills over the sides. Spillers create a cascading effect that draws the eye and adds movement to the container. Consider plants like ‘Yellow Creeping Jenny’ or ‘Proven Winners® Blue Spruce’ Sedum. These low-growing plants can trail down from the container’s edge, providing a lush, flowing element that softens the boundaries and enhances the overall composition.
3 Easy Perennial Container Recipes:
Colorful Shade Container Recipe Shade gardens don’t have to be boring! This shade-loving container features plants that bring vibrant colors and exciting textures to shaded spaces like porches or patios. Here’s how to create it:
- ‘Visions’ Astilbe (Thriller): This tall, graceful plant with raspberry-pink flowers adds a splash of color to shaded areas. Its delicate blooms are perfect for catching light and creating visual interest in the garden.
- ‘Maui Buttercups’ Hosta (Filler): A classic choice for shaded gardens, this hosta provides lush green foliage that contrasts beautifully with the astilbe’s flowers. It has a rounded shape that fills out the container nicely.
- ‘Variegata’ Siberian Bugloss (Filler): The heart-shaped leaves of Siberian bugloss offer a beautiful variegated pattern with silver and green hues. This filler plant adds an interesting texture that complements both the astilbe and hosta.
- Primo® ‘Wild Rose’ Coral Bells (Filler): These coral bells bring a rosy pink hue to the container, balancing the color palette and adding a touch of elegance.
- Yellow Creeping Jenny (Spiller): This low, trailing plant with chartreuse leaves cascades over the container’s edge, providing a bright, cheerful contrast to the darker foliage of the other plants.
Sensory Container Recipe A sensory container engages all the senses: sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch. This type of container can be a great project for families or gardening enthusiasts who want to create an interactive and multisensory garden. Here’s how to make it:
- ‘Strictus’ Maiden Grass (Thriller): With its tall, upright blades and subtle, wispy texture, maiden grass adds movement and sound to the container. As it sways in the breeze, it creates a calming, sensory experience.
- ‘Hidcote’ Lavender (Thriller): The fragrant lavender flowers and foliage emit a delightful scent, perfect for sensory gardens. This perennial is not only beautiful but also attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies.
- Big Twister Rush (Filler): This plant adds a soft, feathery texture to the container, creating a contrast with the grass and lavender. Its bright green blades stand out against the darker foliage and contribute to the sensory experience.
- ‘Silver Mound’ Wormwood (Spiller): With its soft, silvery-gray foliage, wormwood adds a touchable element to the container. It’s perfect for creating contrast and depth, making it a great spiller that spills gracefully over the container’s edge.
Pollinator Pit Stop Container Recipe This container is designed to attract pollinators like butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds. It’s filled with plants that thrive in full sun and provide essential nectar and pollen sources for these beneficial insects. Here’s how to plant it:
- ‘Lighthouse’ Coreopsis (Thriller): With its bright yellow blooms, coreopsis acts as a focal point that attracts pollinators from afar. Its sturdy stems and long-lasting flowers make it a reliable choice for summer gardens.
- ‘Pugster Blue’ Butterfly Bush (Thriller): This bushy perennial offers abundant nectar for butterflies and bees. Its vibrant blue flowers are a magnet for pollinators.
- ‘Black-Eyed Susan’ (Filler): A classic choice for pollinator gardens, these cheerful yellow flowers provide nectar and support beneficial insects.
- ‘Proven Winners® Blue Spruce’ Sedum (Spiller): The low-growing sedum has blue-green foliage and clusters of small, star-shaped flowers that attract pollinators. Its trailing habit softens the edges of the container and provides an inviting space for insects to forage.
These container recipes provide creative ways to add dimension, color, and interest to your garden. By following the “Thriller, Filler, & Spiller” technique, you can create balanced and captivating displays that enhance any outdoor space. Whether you’re designing a shaded area, a sensory experience, or a pollinator-friendly container, these combinations will bring beauty and functionality to your garden all summer long.
