Mastering the Thriller, Filler, Spiller Technique

April 27, 2025

There’s something truly magical about a well-designed container planter — overflowing with colour, texture, and life. Whether you’re sprucing up your front porch, adding flair to your patio, or bringing a little joy to your balcony, container gardening is one of the easiest (and most fun!) ways to show off your green thumb.

 

But how do you get those lush, Pinterest-worthy pots without hiring a landscape designer?

 

Let us introduce you to one of our favourite tricks at Scott’s Nursery:
The “Thriller, Filler, Spiller” planting technique.

 

This simple three-part formula is your secret weapon for creating bold, balanced, and beautiful containers — and the best part? You don’t need to be a master gardener to pull it off.

 

In this blog, we’ll walk you through exactly how it works, what types of plants go where, and how to keep your planter thriving all season long.
Title

What is the Thriller, Filler, 
Spiller Technique?

Think of it like casting the perfect trio in a garden show.

 

The thriller is your star — tall, striking, and built to grab attention.
 

The filler supports the show — it rounds out the middle, adding body and colour.
 

And the spiller? That’s your finishing touch — soft and trailing, it gently tumbles over the edge, tying it all together.

 

Originally made popular by professional designers and garden brands, this technique gives your container depth, contrast, and a polished, intentional look — whether you’re planting in a rustic barrel, a sleek ceramic pot, or a sunny window box.

 

It works beautifully in just about any style or size of planter, and it’s super flexible — you can go classic and calm with whites and greens, or bold and tropical with reds, purples, and chartreuse.

 

At Scott’s Nursery, we love helping gardeners of all levels bring this concept to life — and we’ve got all the plants and guidance you need to make it happen!
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Meet the Stars: 
What Goes Into Each Category

When you’re building your planter, each plant has a role to play. Let’s look at what defines a thriller, a filler, and a spiller, and which plants work best in each category — many of which you can find right here at Scott’s Nursery.

Thrillers: The Showstoppers

These are the tall, eye-catching plants that draw your attention right away. Think height, drama, and bold structure. You’ll usually plant your thriller in the center of the container (or at the back if the pot will only be viewed from one side).

Look for:

  • Upright growth habits
  • Striking leaves or flowers
  • Height (to rise above fillers and spillers)

Great thriller picks at Scott’s:

  • Dracaena Spike – a classic with spiky, upright green foliage
  • Canna Lilies – tropical vibes with lush, broad leaves and bold flowers
  • Purple Fountain Grass – adds texture and movement
  • Angelonia – upright with delicate blooms and long-lasting colour
  • Cordyline – architectural leaves with dramatic variegation

Fillers: The Team Players

Fillers do just what their name suggests — they fill the space around the thriller, adding volume, colour, and texture to the mix. These are your mounding or spreading plants that make the arrangement feel lush and full.

Look for:

  • Rounded, full growth habits
  • Lots of leaves or blooms
  • Softening contrast to the thriller

Top filler picks:

  • Petunias – bloom machines with endless colour options
  • Calibrachoa (Million Bells) – mini petunia lookalikes, super vibrant
  • Coleus – stunning foliage in every colour imaginable
  • Begonias – compact and colourful
  • Geraniums – reliable bloomers with great structure

💡 Tip from the greenhouse: Mix a few different fillers together for an extra burst of colour and contrast — just keep light/water needs consistent.

Spillers: The Finishing Flourish

Spillers are your trailing plants that drape over the edge of your container, softening the overall shape and adding a beautiful cascade of colour or texture.

Look for:

  • Trailing or vining growth habits
  • Delicate leaves or small blooms
  • Contrast in colour or texture

Spiller all-stars:

  • Sweet Potato Vine – fast-growing, bold leaf colours (lime, black, bronze)
  • Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia) – golden trailing foliage that glows
  • Bacopa – delicate trailing blooms (white, pink, lavender)
  • Lobelia – trailing blue or purple flowers that love cool weather
  • English Ivy – classic, hardy, and beautiful in shady spots

The beauty of this method is that it’s incredibly flexible — once you know the roles, you can mix and match plant types, colours, and textures to create something totally unique every time.

 

Need help choosing the right plants for your space? Our team at Scott’s is always happy to help you build the perfect thriller-filler-spiller combo — whether you’re working with full sun, shade, or anything in between!
Title

How to Design and Plant Your Container

Step 1: Choose the Right Container

Start with a pot that’s:

Big enough to fit all three plant types 

(at least 12-16” wide is a good start)

Has drainage holes to prevent soggy roots

Fits the style and space you’re working with — rustic, modern, hanging, etc.

 

🌟 Pro tip from Scott’s: Go a little larger than you think — your plants will thank you as they grow!

Step 2: Add High-Quality Soil

Fill your container with a good-quality potting mix — not garden soil. Look for:

Lightweight, well-draining soil

Enriched with slow-release fertilizer or moisture retention ingredients

You can always ask us at Scott’s Nursery for the right mix based on your plant combo and sun exposure.

Step 3: Plan Your Layout

Time to place your plants!

Thriller goes in the center (for a full-view pot) or the back (if the pot will sit against a wall or railing).

Fillers are planted around the thriller, leaving room to grow.

Spillers are placed near the edges, facing outward to trail beautifully over the rim.

 

💡 Design tips:

Use odd numbers (3 fillers, 1 thriller, 2 spillers) for a natural look.

Mix leaf shapes and textures for extra interest.

Play with colour contrast — deep purples + bright greens, or bold reds with creamy whites.

Step 4: Match Sun + Water Needs

Your planter will only succeed if the plants are compatible! Make sure all your thrillers, fillers, and spillers:

Like the same amount of sunlight (full sun, part sun, or shade)

Have similar watering and feeding requirements

When in doubt? Ask us at Scott’s! We’re always happy to help you match your picks.

Step 5: Water + Tuck In

Once everything is placed:

Gently remove each plant from its pot, loosen the roots a bit

Nestle them in at soil level and fill in around with extra mix

Water thoroughly so the soil settles and roots get a good start

🪴 Bonus tip: Top off with mulch or moss for moisture retention and a polished look.

 

Boom — you're done planting! Your container is now a little ecosystem of colour and texture just waiting to grow into something gorgeous.
Title

Keep It Growing: 
Tips for a Thriving Container

You’ve planted a beautiful container — now let’s make sure it stays vibrant and healthy! With just a little regular attention, your thriller-filler-spiller combo will reward you with nonstop colour and growth all season.

Water Wisely

Container gardens dry out faster than in-ground beds — especially during hot weather.

  • Check daily in the summer (especially for sunny pots).
  • Water deeply until it runs from the bottom.
  • Morning watering is best — it gives plants moisture before the heat of the day.

💡 Pro tip from our garden team: If your soil pulls away from the edge of the pot, it’s time for a deep soak!

 

Feed for More Flowers

Most annuals are heavy feeders, especially bloomers like petunias and calibrachoa. Keep them thriving with regular nutrients.

  • Use a slow-release fertilizer when planting
  • Supplement with liquid fertilizer every 1–2 weeks for extra blooms

We stock both at Scott’s — just ask us what works best for your combo!

 

Pinch, Prune & Deadhead

This is the secret to keeping containers lush and blooming, not leggy or faded.

  • Deadhead (remove spent flowers) on petunias, geraniums, and more
  • Pinch back any plants that start to stretch
  • Trim overgrown spillers to keep them full, not stringy

Don’t be afraid to give your container a mid-season haircut — it’ll bounce back fuller and better!

 

Rotate + Refresh

If your container sits in one spot, rotate it every few days for even sun exposure.

And don’t hesitate to swap out a tired plant halfway through the season — you can refresh just one or two pieces without starting from scratch!

 

Watch for Trouble

Keep an eye out for:

  • Yellowing leaves → too much water or not enough nutrients
  • Pests like aphids or whiteflies → treat early with gentle sprays
  • Crowding → trim or remove plants that get too big for the space

At Scott’s, we’re always happy to help diagnose plant problems — just snap a photo and come by!
Title

Build Your Own at Scott’s Nursery

Feeling inspired? Ready to get planting?

 

We’ve got everything you need right here at Scott’s Nursery in Lincoln, New Brunswick — from dramatic thrillers to lush fillers and tumbling spillers, plus all the pots, soil, and expert advice to help you pull it all together.

 

Whether you’re crafting a bold patio centerpiece or a sweet little planter for your front steps, our team is here to:

  • Help you choose the right plant combinations
  • Recommend the best potting soil and fertilizers
  • Match plants to your sun/shade conditions
  • Show you care tips to keep your container blooming for months

New to gardening? No worries — we love helping beginners just as much as seasoned pros. Let’s get your hands in the dirt and your container overflowing with colour!

Let’s Get Planting!

 

The “Thriller, Filler, Spiller” technique makes it easy to create stunning containers that look professionally designed — and the best part is, you get to mix, match, and make it your own.

 

So stop by Scott’s Nursery, explore our huge selection of annuals, and let’s build a planter that turns heads and sparks joy — all summer long.

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