In our previous post, Instant Color Through Landscaping, we talked about how to use decorative planters and containers to instantly boost your home’s curb appeal. Once you have chosen your containers, the fun begins: deciding where to put them and what to plant!
The placement of your planters is key. Try moving them around to test out different spots—on your front steps, flanking the entryway, along walkways, or right on the back deck or patio.
Once you’ve found the perfect home for your containers, look upward. How much sun does that spot get?
If a container receives six or more hours of direct sunlight a day, it requires sun-loving plants that can handle the heat. (If it gets less than six hours, you’ll want to opt for shade-loving container plants instead).
To help you design professional-grade, sun-drenched planters, we use the industry-standard “Thriller, Filler, and Spiller” formula. Here is how to use it, along with three gorgeous, sun-loving plant recipes to try this season.
The Recipe for Container Success: Thriller, Filler, Spiller
Designing a beautiful container garden is as easy as choosing three types of plants:
The Thriller (Height): A tall, eye-catching plant placed in the center (or back) of the pot to grab your attention.
The Filler (Mound): Medium-sized, mounding plants grouped around the thriller to add body, texture, and color.
The Spiller (Drape): Trailing plants placed near the rim of the pot to cascade over the edges and soften the container’s lines.
Three Sun-Loving Container Plant Recipes
Here are three stunning, high-impact plant combinations designed to thrive in the bright summer sun:
1. The Bold “Black and Gold” Combo
This high-contrast, modern combination creates a dramatic look that stands out beautifully against lighter stone patios or front steps.
Thriller: A tall Dracaena (Spike plant) or New Zealand Flax in the center for striking architectural height.
Filler: Vibrant Coleus with bright yellow or chartreuse foliage grouped around the center to add a massive pop of color.
Spillers: A mix of dark, chocolatey-black Sweet Potato Vine (Ipomoea) draping down one side of the container, paired with a bright neon-yellow Sweet Potato Vine cascading down the other side.
2. The Romantic “Purple and Pink” Combo
Soft, colorful, and highly texture-rich, this combination is incredibly inviting and looks gorgeous near a front door or flanking a backyard seating area.
Thrillers: A tall Coleus featuring pink or purple-variegated foliage, paired with purple Cat’s Whiskers (Orthosiphon) for height and unique whimsical blooms.
Fillers: Bright pink Zinnias or mounding Salvia to fill the middle tier and attract local pollinators like butterflies and bees.
Spillers: A trailing purple Lantana paired with delicate, silver-leaved Thyme to spill gracefully over the edges.
3. The Vibrant “Yellow and Orange” Sunset Combo
Bring the warmth of a summer sunset to your patio with this fiery, high-energy arrangement.
Thriller: A New Zealand Flax with striped green and yellow variegated leaves for a dramatic, tropical-looking focal point.
Fillers: Several bright orange Zinnias planted around the Flax to create a dense, highly colorful middle layer.
Spillers: Vibrant yellow Calibrachoa (Million Bells) spaced around the outer edges of the pot to create a waterfall of miniature petunia-like blooms.
Pro Tips for Sun-Loving Container Care
Containers sitting in full, hot sun face a lot of elements. To keep your planters looking lush and vibrant all summer long, follow these simple care tips:
Water Daily: Small volumes of soil dry out quickly under the hot sun. In the peak of summer, your containers will likely need to be watered every morning. Water deeply until you see it running out of the drainage holes at the bottom.
Feed Your Plants: Because containers require frequent watering, nutrients quickly flush out of the soil. Apply a slow-release fertilizer at planting time, and feed them with a water-soluble plant food every two weeks.
Deadhead for More Blooms: Pinch off faded flowers on your zinnias and lantanas. This prevents the plant from going to seed and encourages a continuous flush of fresh new blossoms.
Let Us Design Your Perfect Outdoor Space
Beautiful container gardens are the perfect finishing touch to a professionally designed landscape. Whether you are looking to install a brand-new custom patio, add elegant landscape lighting, or completely overhaul your garden beds, Cider Mill Landscapes is here to help.
