May and early June is the best time to plant your patio pots and windows boxes for the best selection of plants. The plants are also a bit smaller than they will be later so they are easier to work with but still make a great looking container from the beginning. For the best containers and beds, keep taller plants to the back or center depending on the shape or position of your garden bed or container. Choose one or more plants from the three types below and you can’t go wrong. Don’t forget to use our PlantFinder to see great pictures and information on the many plants we carry.
Thriller is the centerpiece or focal point. These are the tall, upright plants with eye- catching foliage or colors planted at the back or center of the container. Dahlia, coleus, cordyline, salvia, angelonia and grasses are examples of perfect “thrillers”.
Fillers are mounded plants that fill out the container. These plants should provide contrast in texture and color. Great plants in this group include shorter grasses like Fiber Optic grass, lantana, flowering kale, Diamond Frost, coleus and petunias to name a few.
Spiller plants soften the edges of the container or planting by spilling over the edge. Choices include sweet potato vine, bacopa, million bells, fuchsia, vinca and more.
Gather your containers, quality potting soil, and beautiful Sargent’s grown plants to get started!
Fill your container about 3/4 full of soil. I like to arrange my plants while they are still in their pots to see how they will look before I get planting.
Once I have decided on the plants I being with the tallest plant. Notice how high the soil is around this upright verbena Meteor Shower. You want to leave about 1-1.5″ between the top of the soil and the edge of the container. The soil will settle a bit, but you still want to have a bit of room to allow water to sit and filter down into the soil.
Look at the nice roots on this petunia! No need to rough them up or pull the dirt and roots away. Simply dig a hole in the soil and firm the soil around the plant taking care to plant it so the surrounding soil is a the same level as the plant.
Add the rest of the plants and add enough soil so there are no gaps between the root balls of the plants. Gently push the soil into the gaps and water thoroughly. Save those tags! Tucking your plant tags into the back of the container is a great way to remember what you planted especially if it is something you really love and grew well.
Front: Meteor Shower verbena, ColorBlitz Bluerific petunia, Cabaret calibrachoa Back: Stratosphere White, Golddust, Green with Envy ipomoea, Hollywood Star superbells
Here are a few other combinations, but the options are endless. Our grower, Logan, has done an amazing job again this year of giving us a wonderful selection of healthy and beautiful annuals.
Front: Baby Tut Umbrellas grass, Canary Wings begonia, Colorblaze Velveteen coleus Back: Bloomify Red lantana , Fiber Optic grass, Daybreak Charm petunia
Spiralis Rush, Red Dragon Wing begonia, Silver Swirl rex begonia