Thrillers, Fillers & Spillers, 2.0

This is very clever. I’ve always liked the concept of a movable garden although I’ve never had much luck with potted plants. Your photos are inspiring me to give it another try.

I’m curious about those yuccas and agaves hanging on the wall. They are basically rosette shaped plants against a flat space. Do the pots stick out further from the wall than the photo shows or were the back leaves hacked off? That variegated American agave can reach 6×6 feet pretty quickly…so I’m guessing that’s a short term display. If those pots can’t be removed from the wall, replacing those plants will be an interesting exercise.

Hi mss–potted plants–it’s all about giving them decent soil, plenty of water, and plenty of fertilizer. As long as you don’t let then get turned to toast by summer sun, they’re usually tough enough to make a go of it, and if they’re not, turn to those agaves etc. That Chanticleer display is short-lived, after all the plants aren’t hardy in PA. So they just use small specimens in what, if memory serves, are actually little lengths of clay pipe, flue pipe, whatever. There is a little bit of spacing between wall and container, but not all that much. It is a good way to grow young pups, then, as they get bigger, pot them on in bigger containers.–Steve

I like the idea of having the thrillers, fillers and spillers in seperate pots. I think Imight approach it that way this summer. I had some pots that were just a little too small for an arrangement last year. I should have grouped them in seperate pots because I still like the idea of the plants together. I just needed larger pots.

Hi Lisa–Well, bigger pots are always a good way to go, you can grow bigger, more dramatic plants in them, and you don’t have to water quite so much since all that soil retains moisture. The best thing about having different pots is the ease of redesigning your grouping. –Steve

I liked your post’s title – what a good idea to mass plants in different size pots and then move them around. I have so many potted plants that this is a good way to showcase them along with the pots.

Hi Kate–Yeah, I have a lot of fun moving stuff around. Gives me a great way to reinvigorate my patio and stuff mid-season, or even a couple times a season. Come to think of it, I do have a spring style of pots too, so I guess it’s always in flux. That’s a good thing, it always seems fresh. –Steve

Thanks for some great ideas. Our containers are a little smaller than would be good for the thriller, etc. all in one, but one in each pot would work and be moved around. Wonderful inspiration!

Frances at Faire Garden

Hi Frances–yes moving the stuff around is great, it allows all kinds of mid season corrections. If you carefull place your fillers and spillers, you can put a thriller in a big nursery pot or anything else –then just tuck it away behind its companion plants and their pots. I use lots of unattractive pots, but then just hide ’em.–Steve

Love the idea of the movable pots…actually I loved all of your ideas today. Thanks!

And thank you Elizabeth! BTW, here’s a tip on moving those pots–wait until just before you water so pots are fairly dried out, and so, not quite as heavy. And, if you’ve got fairly smooth terrain to work with, use a hand truck to move the pots around-saves wear and tear on the back.–Steve

the idea of an arrangement all in one pot has always been intimidating – not to mention the cost of a BIT container – but the idea of using separate pots makes the whole concept more appealing and doable. And considering my design talents, their moveability is a real plus. Thanks.