Drop dead containers for patio or front door Photos courtesy of Terra Nova Nurseries T
he secret to a stunning container is to plant at three levels choosing plants that can act as “thrillers”, “fill-
ers” and “spillers”. The thrillers are the tall plants that give the container height. The fillers are the feature plants in the middle and the spillers are the beauties that tumble over the sides. If the planter will be seen only from the
front and sides, plant thrillers toward the back of the container. If seen from all sides, put the thriller in the centre. Any tall plant will do as a thriller – some
people even use dwarf or baby evergreens – and many people are using perennials in pots. Try Heuchera as your spiller. You can always plant them in the garden at the end of the season.
Think about colour. Thrillers for containers Canna ‘Tropical Bronze Scarlet’. If
you’re looking for a thrilling finish to a great container, go with the reblooming dwarf canna. It will reward your container all summer long with fiery three to four-inch blooms and colourful foliage. Plant in sun
Begonia ‘Cathedral’ Sisyrinchium Devon Skies
Heuchera ‘Black Beauty’
Heuchera ‘Georgia Peach’
‘Tasmanian Angel’
Heuchera ‘Peach Flambe’
Acanthus
Perennials in pots shout classy!
and overwinter the bulbs indoors: 2.5 feet tall and you can grow it from seed! Tuscan black palm kale (Brassica ol-
eracea). (Also known as Lacinato kale). If you’re looking for an unusual and large plant, this edible kale has a dark, bluish green, pebbly–textured edible leaf. Like all
20 • Early Spring 2012
kales the plant gets better as it gets colder. This is a very large plant that can grow to three feet tall under the right conditions. Some consider this kale the best tasting of all. Definitely a conversation piece any way you use it. Calla lilies. This lovely bulb can make a
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