By When it comes to selecting the right fillers and stuffers for potted flowers, choosing a variety of varieties will maximize the appearance of your flower arrangement. Fillers, also known as annuals, can add texture and lushness to your potted plants, complimenting a centerpiece or thriller while anchoring your color and texture theme. Geraniums are a classic choice for container flower gardens, but require careful deadheading and need to be repotted regularly. The process is not hard and geraniums come in many varieties and colors.
There are a few elements to a beautiful container garden. Before you begin planting, decide what your focal point will be. Will your garden have a tall, bold plant such as an artichoke or sunflower? These are “thrillers.” Thrillers draw the eye of passerby and make a statement in the garden. Next, you’ll want to add flowers for height as well. Flowers that cascade over the edge of a container are often called “spillers,” so add some spiller plants. But don’t stop there! You’ll also want to fill in any empty spaces with shorter flowers or fuzzy, leafy plants called “fillers.” Fillers can round out your arrangement and help create a balanced garden container.
Fillers
When choosing a plant for your container planting, keep in mind that most plants have multiple varieties within each species. For instance, you may want to consider Angelface(r) rather than Serenita(r) for a pot with a thriller effect. To make the most effective selection, research the mature height and growth habit of each plant. To help you decide on the right plant for your pot, use the following tips.
Stuffers
When choosing a plant for your potted flower arrangement, consider the filler and spillers. Filler plants create a full arrangement and don’t compete with showier flowers or shrubs. Agastache, for example, has long blooming spikes that offset the rounded focal point. Other nice fillers to add to a container include herbs. Basil is an excellent choice and comes in a variety of colors.
Petunias
A favorite choice among potted flowers, petunias grow well in containers, window box planters, and the ground. Petunias have attractive, lime-green petals and grow up to 10 inches tall. They tolerate heat well and are heat tolerant. Many varieties have blooms throughout the growing season, making them an excellent choice for pots. Petunias also tolerate partial shade.
Heucheras
Heucheras are hardy flower plants and can be successfully maintained as potted flowers. They require a moist soil that is well-drained. They prefer containers with drainage holes. Fertilize the plant once a year. Heucheras can survive winter indoors and will usually stay in their pots. They can be transplanted outdoors during the spring and summer. Here are some important tips to successfully care for heucheras:
Lantanas
Lantanas are tropical plants that grow well in hot and sunny spaces. They produce colorful blooms and lush foliage. Despite being a tropical plant, they are easy to care for and are drought tolerant. You can use vinegar in one gallon of water to increase
the acidity in your soil. You can also add organic compost to the soil. Lantanas like warm weather and are not happy with temperatures below 28 degrees Fahrenheit. For this reason, they should be brought indoors in early fall, when temperatures are 55 degrees Fahrenheit.
Anthuriums
If you want to bring nature indoors, consider planting anthuriums. These plants are epiphytes, meaning they grow in the crevices of trees and need plenty of sunlight and humidity. However, they can also be harmful to both humans and pets. To protect your plant from being harmed, be sure to wash your hands with insecticidal soap before handling the leaves. Then, water your plant when the top inch of soil is dry.
Roses
Roses are a beautiful choice for a potted garden. They provide year-round color, are disease -resistant, and require no deadheading. Choose a multicolored variety to provide color in the garden all year long. They start out melon-orange with red centers, and mature to lavender, pink, or white. They will bloom all summer and into the fall, depending on your climate and location.
If you’re having a hard time deciding what kind of plant to add in next, think about your thrills, spills, and fillers. Does your garden have tall plants? Are there any jumping out of the planters or spilling over the sides? Once you’ve decided on some tall plants, then figure out what you want to fill in the gaps.
