Whether planted alone as a specimen plant or as the main visual element of a mixed container (along with fillers and spillers), thrillers are there to please. These showstoppers add a touch of drama and excitement to your outdoor spaces. By strategically incorporating these thrilling elements, you can transform your container gardens into stunning focal points that captivate the eye and elevate your gardening game.
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Abutilon 'Bartley Schwarz'
Item #: 8007
Zones: 7b to 10b, guessing
Dormancy: Winter
Height: 48" tall
Culture: Sun to Part Sun
Origin: Hybrid
Pot Size: 3.5" pot (24 fl. oz/0.7 L)
Regular price $17.60Regular priceUnit price per$22.00Sale price $17.60Sale -
Abutilon 'Canary Bird'
Item #: 3848
Zones: 7b to 10b
Dormancy: Winter
Height: 72" tall
Culture: Sun to Part Sun
Origin: Hybrid
Pot Size: 3.5" pot (24 fl. oz/0.7 L)
Regular price $22.00Regular priceUnit price per -
Abutilon 'Fool's Gold'
Item #: 8001
Zones: 8a to 10b
Dormancy: Winter
Height: 48" tall
Culture: Sun to Part Sun
Origin: Hybrid
Pot Size: 3.5" pot (24 fl. oz/0.7 L)
Regular price $22.00Regular priceUnit price per -
Abutilon megapotamicum
Item #: 4317
Zones: 7b to 10b
Dormancy: Winter
Height: 72" tall
Culture: Sun to Part Sun
Origin: Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay
Pot Size: 3.5" pot (24 fl. oz/0.7 L)
Regular price $22.00Regular priceUnit price per -
Abutilon 'Orange Hot Lava'
Item #: 7302
Zones: 7b to 10b
Dormancy: Winter
Height: 48" tall
Culture: Sun to Part Sun
Origin: Hybrid
Pot Size: 3.5" pot (24 fl. oz/0.7 L)
Regular price $22.00Regular priceUnit price per -
Abutilon 'Twister'
Item #: 18088
Zones: 7b to 10b
Dormancy: Winter
Height: 48" tall
Culture: Sun to Part Sun
Origin: Hybrid
Pot Size: 3.5" pot (24 fl. oz/0.7 L)
Regular price $17.60Regular priceUnit price per$22.00Sale price $17.60Sale -
Abutilon 'Voodoo'
Item #: 6951
Zones: 8a to 10b
Dormancy: Winter
Height: 72" tall
Culture: Sun to Part Sun
Origin: Hybrid
Pot Size: 3.5" pot (24 fl. oz/0.7 L)
Regular price $22.00Regular priceUnit price per -
Acanthus hungaricus
Item #: 3496
Zones: 6a to 8b, possibly colder
Dormancy: Winter
Height: 18" tall
Culture: Part Sun to Shade
Origin: Southeast Europe
Pot Size: 3.5" pot (24 fl. oz/0.7 L)
Regular price $27.00Regular priceUnit price per -
Acanthus mollis Reut, Israel
Item #: 9811
Zones: 7a to 10b, at least
Dormancy: Winter
Height: 24" tall
Culture: Part Sun to Shade
Origin: Mediterranean Europe
Pot Size: 3.5" pot (24 fl. oz/0.7 L)
Regular price $27.00Regular priceUnit price per -
Acanthus mollis 'Rue Ledan'
Item #: 4732
Zones: 6a to 8a
Dormancy: Winter
Height: 20" tall
Culture: Part Sun to Light Shade
Origin: Northern Africa, Southwest Europe
Pot Size: 3.5" pot (24 fl. oz/0.7 L)
Regular price $27.00Regular priceUnit price per -
Acanthus mollis 'Wofford Rhubarb'
Item #: 10006
Zones: 7a to 10b, at least
Dormancy: Winter
Height: 24" tall
Culture: Part Sun to Light Shade
Origin: Northern Africa, Southern Europe
Pot Size: 3.5" pot (24 fl. oz/0.7 L)
Regular price $27.00Regular priceUnit price per -
Acanthus 'Mornings Candle'
Item #: 8933
Zones: 6a to 8b, at least
Dormancy: Winter
Height: 24" tall
Culture: Part Sun
Origin: Hybrid
Pot Size: 3.5" pot (24 fl. oz/0.7 L)
Regular price $27.00Regular priceUnit price per -
Acanthus 'Summer Beauty'
Item #: 2526
Zones: 6a to 8b, at least
Dormancy: Winter
Height: 30" tall
Culture: Part Sun to Shade
Origin: Hybrid
Pot Size: 3.5" pot (24 fl. oz/0.7 L)
Regular price $27.00Regular priceUnit price per -
Aconitum carmichaelii 'Autumn Indigo'
Item #: 6999
Zones: 3a to 8b
Dormancy: Winter
Height: 60" tall
Culture: Sun to Light Shade
Origin: China
Pot Size: 3.5" pot (24 fl. oz/0.7 L)
Regular price $24.00Regular priceUnit price per -
Aconitum carmichaelii 'Fansi Pansi'
Item #: 10055
Zones: 3a to 8b
Dormancy: Winter
Height: 54" tall
Culture: Sun to Light Shade
Origin: Vietnam
Pot Size: 3.5" pot (24 fl. oz/0.7 L)
Regular price $24.00Regular priceUnit price per -
Actaea japonica var. japonica 'Silver Blush'
Item #: 3826
Zones: 5a to 8a, at least
Dormancy: Winter
Height: 30" tall
Culture: Part Sun to Light Shade
Origin: China, Japan, Korea
Pot Size: 3.5" pot (24 fl. oz/0.7 L)
Regular price $23.00Regular priceUnit price perSold out -
Agapanthus 'Blue Yonder'
Item #: 15717
Zones: 5b to 10b
Dormancy: Winter
Height: 36" tall
Culture: Sun to Part Sun
Origin: Hybrid
Pot Size: 3.5" pot (24 fl. oz/0.7 L)
Regular price $27.00Regular priceUnit price per -
Agapanthus 'Ellamae'
Item #: 3514
Zones: 7b to 10b
Dormancy: Winter
Height: 66" tall
Culture: Sun to Part Sun
Origin: Hybrid
Pot Size: 3.5" pot (24 fl. oz/0.7 L)
Regular price $27.00Regular priceUnit price per -
Agapanthus 'Galaxy White' PP 31,431
Item #: 17107
Zones: 6a to 10b
Dormancy: Winter
Height: 36" tall
Culture: Sun to Part Sun
Origin: Hybrid
Pot Size: 3.5" pot (24 fl. oz/0.7 L)
Regular price $27.00Regular priceUnit price per -
Agapanthus 'Navy Blue'
Item #: 12996
Zones: 6a to 10b
Dormancy: Winter
Height: 48" tall
Culture: Sun to Part Sun
Origin: Hybrid
Pot Size: 3.5" pot (24 fl. oz/0.7 L)
Regular price $27.00Regular priceUnit price per -
Agapanthus 'Stevie's Wonder'
Item #: 8250
Zones: 7b to 10b, at least
Dormancy: Winter
Height: 36" tall
Culture: Sun to Part Sun
Origin: Hybrid
Pot Size: 3.5" pot (24 fl. oz/0.7 L)
Regular price $27.00Regular priceUnit price per -
Agapanthus 'Storm Cloud'
Item #: 1342
Zones: 7b to 10b, at least
Dormancy: Winter
Height: 48" tall
Culture: Sun to Part Sun
Origin: Hybrid
Pot Size: 3.5" pot (24 fl. oz/0.7 L)
Regular price $27.00Regular priceUnit price per -
Agapanthus 'Twister' PP 25,519
Item #: 13692
Zones: 7b to 10b, at least
Dormancy: Winter
Height: 48" tall
Culture: Sun to Part Sun
Origin: Hybrid
Pot Size: 3.5" pot (24 fl. oz/0.7 L)
Regular price $27.00Regular priceUnit price per -
Agapanthus 'White Heaven'
Item #: 6390
Zones: 7b to 10b
Dormancy: Winter
Height: 30" tall
Culture: Sun to Part Sun
Origin: Hybrid
Pot Size: 3.5" pot (24 fl. oz/0.7 L)
Regular price $29.00Regular priceUnit price per
More Information About Thrillers
These plants for containers don't belong in a scary movie or a Michael Jackson video, they belong in container gardens! In the container gardening world, Thriller plants get the pulse racing with their wonderful flowers and fascinating foliage. Whether planted alone as a specimen plant or as the main visual element of a mixed container (along with fillers and spillers), thrillers are there to please.
Our Favorite Thriller Plants
Container gardening offers a canvas of creativity to cultivate captivating displays, and one way to add an element of excitement is by incorporating thriller plants. These are the showstoppers, the plants that grab attention and create a focal point in your container arrangements. From vibrant foliage to striking blooms, thriller plants elevate the aesthetics of your outdoor space. Let's explore six thrilling examples: Canna, Paeonia, Crinum, Bletilla, Hedychium, and Hippeastrum.
Canna
Canna plants are renowned for their impressive height and bold foliage. With leaves that come in an array of colors including green, bronze, and even variegated options, they bring a tropical flair to your container garden. The tall flower spikes topped with vibrant blooms in shades of red, orange, yellow, and pink make Cannas a true thriller. Their lush appearance creates a stunning contrast against smaller filler and trailing plants.
Paeonia
Peonies are perennial favorites for their luxurious and fragrant blooms. While traditionally grown in gardens, they can also thrive in containers. The large, showy flowers in hues ranging from pure white to deep magenta are a sight to behold. Their dramatic presence instantly transforms any container arrangement into an elegant focal point.
Crinum
Crinums are often referred to as the "Queen of Bulbs" due to their regal appearance. These bulbous plants produce clusters of stunning trumpet-shaped flowers that come in various shades, from pale pinks to deep purples. Crinums lend an air of sophistication to container gardens while adding a touch of vintage charm.
Bletilla
Bletilla, commonly known as the 'Hardy Orchid,' is a thriller that brings an exotic touch to your container garden. Their intricate, orchid-like blooms in shades of pink, purple, and white are truly captivating. The arching flower stems rise above the foliage, making Bletilla an excellent choice for adding vertical interest to your arrangement.
Hedychium
Hedychium, or Ginger Lily, boasts lush foliage and magnificent flower spikes that emit a delightful fragrance. These plants are known for their tropical appeal and come in various species with different bloom colors. The bold, architectural presence of Hedychium adds a touch of drama to your container garden, making it a true eye-catcher.
Hippeastrum
Hippeastrum, often referred to as Amaryllis, is renowned for its stunning and oversized blooms. These bulbs produce large, trumpet-shaped flowers in shades of red, pink, white, and even multi-colored varieties. Planted as a central thriller in a container, Hippeastrum commands attention and adds a burst of color to any space.
Tips for Using Thriller Plants in Your Container Garden
When designing your container garden with thriller plants, consider the overall color scheme, texture, and growth habits of the accompanying filler and trailing plants. This balance ensures that your thriller plants truly stand out and create a visually appealing composition. Remember to choose containers with adequate drainage and appropriate sizes to accommodate the growth of these captivating specimens.
Incorporating thriller plants into your container gardens will undoubtedly infuse them with intrigue and excitement. These plants are more than just decorations – they are the heart of your container masterpiece, bringing life and drama to your outdoor or indoor oasis.
Check out all our blog posts on plants for containers.