Hey, gardening fans! I can’t wait to share my love of container gardening with you today. As someone who has spent a lot of time putting different plants together, I have to tell you about this amazing way to design containers that will make your outdoor space look completely different!
What’s This Thrill-Fill-Spill Thing All About?
Let me explain it to you: the thrill-fill-spill idea is like a rock band for container gardening.
- Thrill: The lead singer (tall, eye-catching plants)
- Fill: The rhythm section (medium-height plants that fill the middle)
- Spill: The bass player (trailing plants that cascade over the edges)
Best Full Sun Plants for Each Category
Thrill Plants (The Show-stoppers!)
- Purple Fountain Grass (my personal fave!)
- Canna Lilies
- Spike Dracaena
- Mexican Feather Grass
- Tall Salvias
Fill Plants (The Middle Ground Magic)
- Lantana
- Pentas
- Angelonia
- Calibrachoa
- Verbena
Spill Plants (The Cascading Stars)
- Sweet Potato Vine
- Wave Petunias
- Bacopa
- Creeping Jenny
- Silver Falls Dichondra
Design Tips That Actually Work
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Container Selection
- Use containers at least 16″ wide
- Make sure there’s good drainage
- Darker containers absorb more heat (keep this in mind!)
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Soil & Care
- Use high-quality potting mix
- Add slow-release fertilizer
- Water deeply but don’t overdo it!
My Favorite Full Sun Combinations
Combo #1: The Tropical Paradise
- Thrill: Canna Lily
- Fill: Red Pentas
- Spill: Sweet Potato Vine
Combo #2: The Purple Power
- Thrill: Purple Fountain Grass
- Fill: Purple Angelonia
- Spill: Purple Wave Petunias
Combo #3: The Butterfly Magnet
- Thrill: Mexican Sunflower
- Fill: Lantana
- Spill: Calibrachoa
Pro Tips from My Experience
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Don’t be afraid to break the rules! Sometimes two thriller plants look amazing together,
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Consider bloom times – you want continuous color throughout the season.
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Watch your spacing
Small container (12"): 3-5 plantsMedium container (16-20"): 5-7 plantsLarge container (24"+): 7-9 plants
Common Mistakes (I’ve Made Them All!)
- Overcrowding plants (guilty as charged!)
- Forgetting about mature plant size
- Not considering color combinations
- Skimping on soil quality
Maintenance Tips
- Regular deadheading keeps blooms coming
- Fertilize every 2-3 weeks
- Check soil moisture daily during hot weather
- Trim spillers if they get too wild
Seasonal Care
Spring
- Plant after last frost
- Start with smaller plants
- Use fresh potting mix
Summer
- Water deeply in morning
- Monitor for pest issues
- Trim as needed
Fall
- Reduce watering
- Remove spent blooms
- Consider bringing non-hardy plants inside
Design Principles for Success
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Color Theory
- Use complementary colors
- Consider foliage colors
- Think about seasonal changes
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Height Ratios
- Thriller: 1.5-2x container height
- Filler: 1x container height
- Spiller: Trails 1-2x container depth
FAQ Section
Q: How often should I water? A: It depends on the weather, but in the summer, daily in full sun is the norm. If your finger is dry 1″ down in the soil, you need to water it.
Q: Can I use soil from last year again? A: No, you shouldn’t. Plants like new soil. Trust me on this one!.
Q: How many plants for a 24″ container?
A: Usually 7-9 plants, depending on their mature size.
Final Thoughts
Creating gorgeous thrill-fill-spill combinations is like cooking – it takes practice, but once you get the hang of it, you’ll be amazed at what you can create! Remember, gardening should be fun, so don’t stress too much about following rules perfectly.
Would love to hear about your container garden adventures! What combinations have worked best in your full sun spots? Drop a comment below and let’s chat about it!
P.S. Don’t forget to share your container garden pics on social media using #ThrillFillSpill – I’d love to see what you create!
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Plant Combinations for Sun
For your container, choose a bright purple color and fill it with Heuchera, Lamb’s Ear, and calibrachoa. The Salvia will be the thriller plant.
Colocasia serves as the thriller plant in this fantastic container, with coleus, calibrachoa and verbena just a few of the plants filling the bottom of the container and spilling over the edge.
Bouganvillea, Bacopa and Lobelia combine to create a stunning container in pink and white.
What is Thrill, Spill, Fill?
Choose at least one plant from each of these groups when you plant a container to make sure the design is well-balanced. The number of plants you choose depends on the size of the container. If there is only room for one of each, that is fine.
Thrill plants provide height to your container.
Spill plants cascade over the side of the pot.
Fill Plants fill in the spaces in the middle of the pot.