Sun and shade containers

Build sun and shade containers with a few quick tips! Whether you like to do it yourself, need something quick or would like a custom professional design, we have you covered.

Building containers with a combination of plants is a challenge and one that is a pleasure for every gardener. The Thriller, Filler, Spiller method presents an easy recipe for building stunning containers. We’ve taken it a step further to provide you with the basics and the list of plants that we stock fitting into each category.

Just use our plant lists with the tips below and in three easy steps create perfect sun or shade containers and dramatic combinations in the garden.

Thriller, Filler, Spiller Shade Plants
Thriller, Filler, Spiller Sun Plants
Use the selectors below to find containers by month or season.

THRILLERS, SPILLERS, AND FILLERS

Coleus Kong bright and unusual ornamental plant.

Focal point – choose a plant that is big, bold, and beautiful.
It is the tallest part of the design.
Use it for dramatic accents for in-ground plantings.

Suggestions: Salvia ‘Golden Delicious,’ Kong series Coleus, Draceana ‘Red Star’ and Dragon Wing Red Begonia.

The flowers of the tropical plant Lantana camara, also known as Spanish Flag or West Indian Lantana. Mexico.

This is the middle layer of the design
Use it to add complementary texture and color to the thriller
Great for adding color and substance around shrubs in the landscape

Suggestions: Plectranthrus ‘Troy’s Gold’, Lantana, Alternathera, and Impatiens ‘Sonic Paste.’

Use plants that provide trailing accents
Spillers soften the edges of the container
They tie the design elements together
Fantastic ground covers provide great options

Suggestions: Ipomoea ‘Marguarita’, Vinca ‘Illumination’, Bacopa ‘Giant White’, and Verbena Lanai series.

Container FAQs

Generally a 12″ pot can fit six plants (one thriller, two fillers and three spillers). Some varieties are very vigorous and great for large “Lake Oswego style” baskets. Many of these varieties have the word super in the name (for example Superbells, Supertunia, Superbena).

Yes! Annuals look much better if they are fertilized every third watering. Or to simplify, fertilize once a week with a liquid fertilizer. Alternate between an all-purpose and a bloom fertilizer to maximize growth and bloom. The easiest feeding program is to mix a starter fertilizer and slow release fertilizer in the soil at planting time.

No. All of the sun Thriller, Filler and Spillers will thrive in full sun but some can perform well in partial shade as well. Similarly some annuals are more drought tolerant or water loving than others. Check the details on the plant tag to help match sun and water requirements when putting together combinations.