Arranging plants to create beautiful containers begins by letting go of your inhibitions and being willing to experiment a bit. If you’re new to container gardening arranging different plants in a single container may seem a bit awkward at first. If you find yourself a bit reticent when at this point the following fundamental methods will help you begin to easily combine plants of your choosing.
You can keep things simple and plant one plant in one container. If the right plant and container are paired this can be as striking a display as a container overflowing with a variety of plants. Alternatively you can up the ante and plant two plants in one container, three plants in one container and so on. Adding more plants does not create greater difficulty when planting but it is important to remember to group plants with similar lighting, soil and water requirements together to ensure the health and vitality each plant in the container. This will ensure that you container continues to thrive and that no plant in the container is struggling to survive.
A tried and true method or arranging plants in containers is to use a combination of upright, broad and trailing plants in a single container. You will often see these three types of plants referred to as thrillers, fillers and spillers and combining the three creates focus, balance, form, contrast, rhythm and proportion within your container garden.
Thrillers as I am sure that you can guess by the name are often the boldest and most exciting element of your container. When choosing your thriller you are looking for a tall upright plants. Choose plants with interesting flowers, colors and/or foliage. Picking an interesting thriller can help shape the rest of your container.
Fillers are chosen to add volume to the container while complimenting the thriller. Choose fillers with colors that compliment your thriller or create contrast. Choosing different types leaves and flowers to create contrast should also be considered.
Spillers are chosen to soften the containers edges. Adding spillers creates an overflowing display which gives the feeling of fullness and life in your container. Choosing spillers with colors, leaves and flowers that compliment or contrast the other components of you container will tie your entire container garden together.
Using the Thriller, Filler, Spiller method is a great method to start creating different combination in containers. It helps you create beautiful container almost instantly. Don’t be timid and have a little bit of fun. Experiment a little and you will begin creating beautiful containers in no time. Try using this method and if you do not like the results it is easy to remove the plants and start over. Happy Container Gardening!
Tennille
Very good advice and directions- great for a beginner. I’ve always been a little off with my container plantings and sometimes I’ll go to the nursery and look at theirs and leave with a plan of what to start from seed.