Now that the weather is getting warmer and everyone is starting to get outside more, our pots and container gardens might need a little sprucing up. If you aren’t familiar, there’s a little equation that you can follow when refreshing your pots which is Thriller, Filler, Spiller. The “Thriller” is your main focal point plant in the container; something that will catch your eye whether that’s with height, color, texture, etc. The “Filler” are those plants that you use to fill in around the base of the thriller and make up the bulk of your container garden. The “Spillers” are the plants that come out over the edge of the pot and flow down the sides.
We come back to these plants often for both our own containers and our clients.
Thriller
– Dwarf Japanese Maples (Acer palmatum) – These smaller stature deciduous trees grow at a slower speed (and will remain small if kept in a pot) making them ideal for containers. They have unique branching habits ranging from horizontal layers to weeping. Foliage comes in shades of reds, greens, purples, yellows, and oranges. You can find them in the typical palmate leaves to fine laceleaf. Does best if protected from hot afternoon sun.
– Sky Pencil Japanese Holly (Ilex crenata ‘Sky Pencil’) – A columnar, slender, evergreen that works well for adding height to pots. These can be paired together and placed on either side of entry ways, patios, or decks to accent architecture or doorways. Does best in full sun.
– Japanese Aralia (Fatsia japonica) – The striking foliage provides a highly textural focal point. Surprisingly remains evergreen despite its tropical-like appearance. Has groupings of white flowers fall through winter. Good for containers in shady spots.
– Golden Dwarf Hinoki Cypress (Chamaecyparis obtusa ‘Nana Lutea’) – This dwarf conifer has the characteristic fan-like foliage of other Hinoki Cypress’ but with yellow tinged foliage. The unique branching habit paired with its small size adds a sculptural element to container gardens without overtaking. Can handle full to part sun.
Filler
-Coral Bells (Heucheras) – One of the easiest ways to add texture, color, and blooms to container gardens is with Heucheras. They come in a rainbow of foliage colors, often in many different variegations as well, making it simple to mix and match with other plant and pot colors. Wiry stems with small flowers rise atop the leaves in late spring/early summer They can be planted in full sun to shade and may remain evergreen if winter temperatures are mild.
-Brilliance Autumn Fern (Dryopteris erythrosora ‘Brilliance’) – For pots located under eaves or tucked into shady corners, this fern is a great addition. Orange-red new fronds emerge in spring which then turn green by summer. Considered semi-evergreen depending on winter temperatures.
-Sedge (Carex) – These ornamental grasses come in various sizes, colors & variegations, and textures. The grass-like foliage is strap shaped and can be thick or thin depending on the variety. As plants mature, small seedheads may develop on spikes above the foliage. These are great for shady spots but can also handle some sun in our Pacific Northwest climate. Some notable Carex includes Eversheen, Evergold, Everest, Frosty Curls, and Everillo. They can also be placed near the edge of your containers and used as a “spiller” and let the grass-like foliage cascade down the side.
Spiller
-Green or Purple Sweet Potato Vine (Ipomoea batatas) – While this is an annual in our climate, it is a container garden classic that we would be remiss without talking about. A fast grower, both green and purple vines flow down the sides of pots gracefully and will keep on growing until first frost typically. Foliage comes deeply lobed options or the more traditional heart/arrowhead shape. Place in full sun to part sun.
-Angelina Stonecrop (Sedum x ‘Angelina’) – This Sedum has striking bright green foliage with orange fall color and tolerates locations that get a lot of sun. The succulent, needle-like foliage fills in and begins to droop over the sides of containers quickly without getting too long.
-Licorice Vine (Helichrysum petiolare) – The gray-green fuzzy leaves have creamy yellow variegations on the edges which makes it easy to combine with other plants in containers. While this does have a vining habit it is also somewhat bushier so it typically stays on the shorter end so it works well in shorter pots. Does best in full sun to part shade.
Have you refreshed your containers yet? What are your go-to plants for your pots?
~ Colleen
