Gorgeous Thriller Filler Spiller Ideas: 7 Tried & True Container Combinations For Any Garden

The concept of ‘thriller filler spiller’ is a classic of container design – but it is by no means restrictive in its scope. Thriller spiller filler ideas can be as broad as your imagination allows, if you follow the basic principles.

There are several exciting ways to deploy this container design staple in your backyards, patios and balconies. Whether you are looking to grow ornamentals, edibles, or a combination of both, here are some novel and creative ways to approach this intriguing container gardening classic. Have a play with some of these charming plant combinations.

The Best Thriller Filler Spiller Combinations

Before diving into some creative container ideas for thriller filler spiller combinations, it can help to identify each component. In this container gardening design, the ‘thriller’ plant is often used to refer to a tall, focal species. These plants demand attention, adding height and appeal to pots.

‘Fillers’ are used to fill gaps within the planting design, adding interest and texture. Meanwhile, ‘spillers’ help to soften the container's edges. Often trailing plants, they help to add a more personalized touch.

Beyond this, combinations are limited only by available space, one's imagination, and whether your container will be positioned in full sun or sitting in partial shade. So try some of these satisfying designs:

1. Lasagna Bulb Pots

You may already be familiar with the concept of lasagna planting. The technique refers to the layering of flower bulbs, traditionally used as a means to create full garden beds. However, you can also plant bulbs lasagne style in containers, allowing each species to grow in tandem. Both spring and summer bulbs work well in pots, depending on growth habit and size at maturity.

Effective thriller plants for containers include dwarf varieties of cannas, dahlias, lilies, flowering alliums, hyacinths and tulips. For pretty fillers, try oxalis and crocosmia, and for a good spiller, try a trailing begonia.

2. Hardy Annual Mixes

A variety of hardy annuals can be used in the creation of early spring containers as well as more flamboyant summer pots. Several key annuals make impactful thriller filler spiller ideas for shade as well as sunny garden spots. Furthermore, they bloom continuously through summer, often reseeding where conditions are ideal.

A wide range of cold tolerant species make popular thriller filler spiller additions to pots, containers, windowboxes and hanging baskets. Dynamic thrillers include brightly tinted pentas and towering angelonia plants. For stunning annual fillers, try calibrachoa, petunia, calendula, heliotrope and dwarf salvia varieties. For spillers, try sweet alyssum, thunbergia, creeping Jenny or lobelia.

3. Wildflower Blends

Wildflowers make excellent thriller filler spiller plants for sun and partial shade, thanks to their ease of growth, drought tolerance and resistance to disease. Native species are especially well suited to thriller, filler, spiller ideas for sun, tolerating both heat and humidity. Combinations of local annuals, perennials, and vines serve to create carefree pots, attracting large numbers of pollinators and beneficial insects.

Great container grown wildflowers for this particular planting style include coreopsis, smaller echinacea varieties, rudbeckia and yarrow. Outstanding thriller plants for wildflower blends include tall scabious and speedwell, large poppies and cornflowers. Try compact ‘Pow Wow’ and ‘Mellow Yellow’ coneflowers, both available to buy in the Gardening Know How Shop. Great fillers include low growing harebells, dog violets and red clover. Spillers include trailing bellflower, arbutus and trailing bugloss.

4. Dependable Perennials

Perennial plants create highly attractive thriller filler spiller containers. Those which flourish in pots generally demonstrate an impressive tolerance to cold, growing larger with each passing season. Containers of this type are ideal if you are hoping to establish low-maintenance designs, whether as part of a traditional cottage garden theme, small patio idea or minimalist style.

Popular perennial plants for pots include hydrangeas, salvias, creeping thyme and phlox. Impressive rusty ‘Little Quick Fire’ and compact ‘Limelight Prime’ hydrangeas, available in the Gardening Know How Shop, both make spectacular thriller plants for perennial containers. Dahlias, cannas and dwarf salvias also make excellent thriller options. For effective filler plants, turn to variegated thyme varieties, perennial sweet peas, lantana, geraniums and phlox (P. paniculata).

5. Monochromatic Designs

Monochromatic designs are especially attractive as a focal feature for gathering spaces. Select a variety of plants featuring similar colors – it’s as simple as that! Species that flower in succession provide lasting seasonal appeal. Monochromatic containers are an excellent option for a more formal, polished look. Try blending annual and perennial plants, or fuse colorful herbs together with more conventional ornamentals.

Great purple or blue themes can include compact panicle hydrangeas, cornflowers and sweet alyssums. You’ll find more stunning blue and purple plants, including passionflowers, poppies, thyme, lavender and petunias, in the Gardening Know How Shop. For a hot orange thriller filler spiller, consider zinnias, gerber daisies and tithonia. For pinks, try cosmos, sweet peas, petunias and geraniums. If you prefer a striking white thriller filler spiller, try pentas, mandevilla and lobelia.

6. Textured Combinations

Container plantings benefit from an abundance of texture. Foliage that is sharp, toothy or features interesting patterns is especially compelling. Purple fountain grass provides a dazzling thriller that adds height and tolerates heat. Little bluestem ‘Twilight Zone’, available in the Gardening Know How Shop’, also works well.

Another excellent thriller is coleus, available in a vibrant assortment of tones and capable of statuesque displays. Depending on plant combinations, other ornamental grasses, evergreens and fern species make excellent fillers for your textured container plantings. Lamb’s ear is an especially attractive filler plant in texture and color, balancing a variety of other foliage tones. For textured spillers, try the visually dynamic trailing types of sedum plants.

7. Edible Ornamentals

Dual purpose containers are a valuable asset if you have limited space – so why not make your ornamentals good enough to eat? Leafy greens are especially attractive in spring, demonstrating lush green growth. Tricolor sage plants, with their purple stems and variegated leaves, makes a striking thriller for a herb planter. Another excellent thriller plant for larger containers is kale. Several varieties, including ‘Black Magic’ and ‘Lacinato’ in the Gardening Know How Shop, are compact enough to thrive in pots whilst spreading out to impressive heights.

Flowering herbs like thyme and decorative nasturtiums work well as filler plants, contributing large amounts of color and fragrance. Try ‘Mother of Thyme’ by Park Seed, available in the Gardening Know How Shop. Trailing species like strawberries and tomatoes make charming and inventive spillers, adding beauty and utility.

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