How to Design a Stunning Planter

Container gardening is a great way to bring some variety into your garden. For those of us in the Midwest, it is a good opportunity to bring in a taste of the tropics or the Mediterranean into our space. In this newsletter I’ll teach you my trick to designing full and vibrant container pots. I’ve used it over the years, and when these pots fill in it is always an impressive show.

The not-so-secret design formula is known as the thriller, filler, and spiller design. It was created by proven winners a few decades ago, but stands on thousands of years of horticultural history. Container gardening has been appreciated throughout the ages.

• In ancient Egypt, clay pots were used to move plants indoors during the flooding of the Nile.

• The Romans planted citrus and roses in stone or wooden containers to decorate courtyards.

• In imperial China, potted plants evolved into penjing—the predecessor of bonsai.

• In Islamic gardens, containers allowed greenery to flourish within geometric courtyard layouts.

• Even Victorian England saw a container gardening boom, with ornate urns gracing terraces and conservatories.

Let’s dive into the specifics of this technique to help you design praise worthy planters.

The Pot: Take your time to find a large pot. The material will depend on your aesthetic. I tend to prefer terra cotta or ceramic. Check local thrift stores and Facebook marketplace first, but don’t beat yourself up if you end up forking over a wad of cash - these last long enough to be worth the money.

Thriller: The thriller plant is typically plopped in the center and brings a vertical element to the design. Bonus points if it is interesting through another feature such as color, pattern, or form.

Filler: The filler is meant to fill in any empty spaces in the pot to create a sense of lushness. Look for leafy plants and add 2-3 of these around the thriller plant. It can have some height, but you want to make sure it does not overtake the thriller in height.

Spiller: The spiller is meant to cascade or waterfall over the sides. This creates a beautiful sense of harmony and uses the full verticality of the pot. A common plant here is Sweet Potato Vine, which fills it’s role with vigor. Use 2-3 of this plant if you have the room.

These three plants in concert truly put on a show for you and your guests. Now get your planter, some plants, and continue the grand tradition of container gardening.

This Weekend in the Midwest Garden

• Plant Warm-Season Crops
  – Direct sow beans, squash, cucumbers, and melons. Transplant tomatoes, peppers, and basil if you haven’t already.

• Weed & Mulch Beds
  – Pull fast-growing weeds before they go to seed. Refresh mulch (2–3") to conserve moisture and block new growth.

• Support & Prune
  – Stake floppy plants like tomatoes and tall perennials. Deadhead spring bulbs and trim herbs to keep them tidy.

• Add Pollinator Plants
  – Tuck in milkweed, coneflowers, or bee balm to support butterflies and bees. Place a shallow water dish with pebbles nearby.

In my garden: The weather looks to be perfect this weekend with sunny days in the high 70’s to low 80’s. It’s a big social weekend for me, so the trick will be finding a way to avoid everyone and garden instead. Easier said than done…

My main goal this weekend is to till a spot for a vegetable garden. It’s a bit late, but it’s been our first Spring in the new house and the yard and house projects have been legion. I’m using Sketchup to plot out a square foot gardening design, which I can share in next weeks newsletter.

What I Loved This Week

• Read: Planting, a New Perspective - I’m currently reading and loving this.

• Watch: Self-Sufficiency Made Easier Using These 12 Principles!

• Connect: Austin Eischeid - Local Chicago designer

Written for 6 beautiful readers. 💌 
Want to help me grow the newsletter? Send this to someone who loves gardening!

Until next Thursday,
Ken Welch

About the Author

Ken Welch is a horticulturist and research professional at UW–Madison. He’s drawn to native ecosystems, community gardens, and helping others grow confidence in their craft.

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