A Tried and True Design Concept
The golden rule of container design uses three types of flowers: thriller, filler, spiller.
- Thriller is your focal plant. It's big and loud and a star.
- Filler is all the smaller flowers that surround the star to fill up the space.
- Spiller is a plant that overflows the pot to break up the edge and creates drama.
The use of these three flower types creates a cohesive design filled with interest and boldness. What makes this design concept so interesting is that you have numerous ways to execute it.
You don't have to place the thriller flower or plant smack in the middle of your container. You can put it to the left or the right. You can bunch the fillers all around it or just to one side. The spiller can spill over the entire diameter of the lip or can be going only to the left and right of the container. You can use their form and shape to guide you in the best place for them.
I've listed some ideas for each category of plant below.
HELPFUL GUIDELINES
- Make sure you have variety in texture and size.
- Color palette: Are you doing the same color/ color family or are you doing complementary colors?
- Plants must have similar needs in water, sunlight and type of soil
- Plan your scheme for the proper container size. The smallest container should have a single plant variety.
- Position the thriller in creative ways. It doesn't always have to be in the middle.
Thrillers
Fillers
Spillers
With this design principle in mind, designing and shopping for the perfect combo becomes much easier. It gives you a direction and focus and that's when the best designs happen!