Container Gardening in New Hampshires Short Season

by Miracle Farms Landscaping - NH | May 24, 2016 | Annuals, Annuals NH, Container Gardens, Uncategorized

Container gardening is one of the most popular ways to add interest and color to any outdoor space. The only rule you need to follow when creating your container garden is to be creative and enjoy it! At Miracle Farms we generally follow the Thriller, Filler, Spiller method when planting containers. This concept utilizes three different types of plants to create well-rounded combinations. Here’s how it works.

thrillers, fillers, spillers

Thriller Plants

•                Thrillers are plants with height that add drama and a vertical element to the combination

•                Thrillers can either be flowering or foliage plants or ornamental grasses

•                Thrillers are generally put either in the center or at the back of the container

•                Place it in the center of the container if it will be viewed from all sides

•                Place it in the back of the container if it will be viewed from only one side

•                Some examples are: angelonia, argyranthemum, grasses

Filler Plants

Once you’ve chosen your Thriller, next start choosing your Filler varieties

•                Fillers tend to be more rounded or mounded plants and make the container look full

•                Fillers are generally placed in front of, or around, the Thriller variety

•                Fillers should be placed midway between the edge of the container and the Thriller variety

•                If the Thriller is in the center of the container, the Fillers should surround the Thriller variety

•                Some examples are euphorbia,  calibrachoa, and  petunias

Spiller Plants

•                Lastly, you add the Spillers

•                Spillers are trailing plants that hang over the edge of the planter

•                Spillers are placed close to the edge of the container

•                If the container is going to be viewed from all sides, Spillers should be placed on all sides

•                If the container is going to be viewed from only one side, Spillers should be placed in the                 front of the container

•                Some examples are bacopa, lobularia, and sweet potato vine

use potting soil rich in organic matter

Feel free to plant containers full. You don’t need to go by the space requirements listed on the plant label because it’s not making a permanent home in your garden.  Especially here in New Hampshire where are growing season is rather short, who wants to wait for a container to fill out?  However, you will need to make sure you have enough space for the root zones.   Use a well-draining, mixed potting soil that’s rich in organic matter.  You can fill the container part way with a substitute fill material (we use empty plastic containers) to save on the cost of soil and to make the container lighter and easier to move.  Most annuals will do very well with about 12 – 16” of soil. Remember to fertilize once a week as frequent watering of containers results in leaching of nutrients.