TIPS FROM THE PROS FOR GREAT FLOWER POT DESIGN

Notice a difference in the flower pots below? 

The pots on the left are pretty.The one on the right is spectacular! 

While most any flowers set in a container are attractive, there are a few simple tips the pros use to turn ordinary plantings into extraordinary ones.

The magic behind focal-point planters is the inclusion of three key plant proportions in your pot. Great designs include a “thriller,” a tall plant usually with a strong statement of form and color, “filler,” plants that fill the space hiding the soil and “spiller” that weeps over the edge of the pot. The result is a three-dimensional arrangement that looks opulent, mature and permanent. The options for plant material are almost unlimited but should match your sun and shade locations, recognizing that most plants with showy flowers require some bright sunlight for at least part of the day and that colorful foliage plants are apt to work better in shaded locations. 

Thrillers

Almost any plant with an upright growth habit can be a thriller - and in some cases you can even provide a support structure and use a climbing vine as your thriller. In selecting your ideal thriller, consider the size of the pot you will use: shallow pots won’t demand much thriller height, while larger pots will. Here are some great options to consider for thrillers:

• Purple fountain grass
• Aztec grass
• Flax lily
• Iris
• Lady palms
• Dracaena
• Topiary pruned evergreens, or Eugenia
• Ferns
• Snapdragon
• Bromeliad
• An interesting piece of drift wood

Filler

The pot “filler” can be a single plant species or a mixture of several different plants. Bright colors tend to make the pot look larger, while darker colors sometimes visually disappear in the shade. The display will last longer if you avoid plants like mums that have a rather short bloom life; instead, choose plants that can be pinched back and will continue to flower or produce more foliage.  Fillers might include:

• Pentas
• Moss rose
• Pansy
• Petunia
• Polka-dot plant
• Alyssum
• Coleus
• Moss
• Various cooking herbs

 Spiller

Spillers can be part of the “fill” of the pot but should have a weeping or cascading growth habit allowing them to cascade over the side of the planter. Plants with interesting color or variegated leaves make a strong statement. You might consider:

• Variegated ivy
• Sweet potato vine
• Trailing begonia
• Moss rose
• Weeping junipers
• Trailing rosemary
• Fig ivy
• Creeping Jenny
• Trailing lantana

A trip to the local nursery will provide a preview of the best options for your climate and location.  Although you might find some great designs ready to go, buying plants and mixing them into your own design can be fun and very satisfying. If you are not sure what will work best for your mix of sun and shade, don’t be afraid to ask. Professionals with a passion for plants can help you fill, spill and thrill! Or for a truly professional look, contact a landscape professional to bring your vision to life.