Thriller, Spillers, Fillers . . . Where Did That Come From?

How to make a container 101.  While, I think it can be attractive to add a vertical accent to a container, I also think following the spiller, filler, thriller rule of thumb, with the thriller being the vertical element, frequently can result in an unbalanced, unattractive container planting.   Look at the two pictures below of the containers in front of the Visitor Center at the Morton Arboretum.   Which do you like better?  I like the one without the Norfolk pine (I'm not, actually sure it is a Norfolk pine, but it looks like one).

 

Try to balance the height in a container like the one below.

Since I Am On The Subject of Tall(er) Plants That Don't Flop . . . . Dahlia XXL Hidalgo

I love dahlias.  Perhaps that is an exaggeration?  I do really like them though.  What I don't like is staking plants.  I'm not always sure of the best way to do it and I don't like when you can see the stakes before the plants grow tall enough to obscure them.  In that vein, I really do like this dahlia from Dummen . . Red Fox.  It is a wonderful apricot color. I think it would look great mixed with Helenium and Sedum in the fall.

ll.

New Vintage Achillea

This is shorter than I would ideally like, but it looks great (not weedy and doesn't flop)

Vintage Rose

Floppy, Weedy Yarrows

Does anyone know of a great yarrow?  I haven't tried 'Coronation Gold'; that seems to be the most recommended.  I tried some Anthea late in the season, by mail order, and the plants were doomed when they arrived.  They had a serious stem rot going on.

I've tried Summer Pastels and now Papricka (I do like the color), but they flop and the inevitably look weedy.  Also, like hair color, they fade.

I'm not sure that these are any better, but, Pretty Woman is an interesting red.  Somewhat of a cranberry.  And, Pink Island Form looks good in drifts.  Thoughts?

Pink Island Form

Achillea millefolium 'Pretty Woman'

Heptacodium miconioides, Seven sons flower tree

Always on the lookout for interesting plants . . . and small trees for urban settings. The bark on this tree is beautiful.   And, after a very cold winter here in Chicago, the tree is still looking good this year.

Spring Container: Primose, Viola, Nemophila

Always on the look out for new container combos . . . here is one from the Chicago Botanic Garden.