Chiller Plant Basics

Container gardens and window boxes are small by design, but that does not mean they have to be boring. To create visual interest in a container garden, combine plants of various heights and textures in each pot, stuffing the vessels with a combination of thrillers, spillers, fillers and chillers.

1. Container Plant Types

   • There are four basic types of plants that can be combined in an individual container: Thrillers are tall plants that add height to the arrangement; spillers cascade over the edges of the container; fillers are fine, billowy plants that effectively fill the spaces between specimens; chillers are the mid-level plants that draw the eye and pull the whole thing together. While thrillers, spillers and fillers are fairly easy to identify, chillers can be a bit more challenging; a towering plant will eclipse the thriller, while a sprawling one will envelop the spiller.

   Chiller Plants

   • Plants such as the dusty miller, coleus, polka dot plant, perilla and geranium make excellent chiller plants. Reaching an average of 8 to 24 inches in height, the dense foliage and upright growth habit of these specimens contrasts nicely with a variety of plants, lending an abundant, lush look to any arrangement.

   Container Garden Design

   • To effectively arrange an assortment of plants in a single container, begin by placing towering, thriller-type plants in the center of the pot to keep them from overpowering the other specimens. Surround thrillers with a combination of chillers and fillers to add depth to the collection. Place spillers near the edges of the container; as the foliage grows it will naturally trail over the sides of the container, adding an exciting vertical element to the composition.

   Considerations

   • When designing a container garden, there is only one rule which must be followed: choose plants with similar growing requirements. Using the thriller-spiller-filler-chiller plan, select plants that flourish when given the same amounts of light, heat and water. Should the décor require greater visual variety, group the containers together; for example, to create an exciting blend of colors and textures, place a container of succulents next to a container of tropical plants, then surround them with smaller pots of flowering annuals or fragrant herbs.

Posted in: Plant Basics