How to Design a Shade Container for Your Porch (level: easy)
If you feel lost when it comes to creating your own combination of plants for one container, you’re in the right place. The first thing you need to know, before we even talk about design, is that you should choose plants that all have the same light requirements. If you have a covered porch, you want to get either full-shade or part-shade plants that will thrive in that light condition. Most garden centers will group these plants together, but it’s always best to check the plant tag to make sure!
Now, let’s get to the good stuff. Many professionals use a method called Thriller, Filler, Spiller. Sounds fun, right? We’ve planted up a container using this method, and we’ll guide you through photos below.
1. Thriller
We start with a tall element first. This gives height to your container. You can choose how tall you want it to be, depending on your desired finished look. Again, check plant tags! They will tell you how tall each plant will grow.
2. Filler
Beacon Impatiens are a great filler for your shade containers. A filler, as you might guess, is the plant that makes your container look full. Beacon comes in 10 colors for fast-filling, season-long color.
3. Spiller
With our height element in the back, we placed our spiller in the front. A spiller can be any plant that will spread or cascade down the planter. Some of the most common are ivy, vinca vine, and sweet potato vine, but there are plenty more you can find in your local garden center!