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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Hosta 'Sum and Substance'
Item #: 1102
Zones: 3a to 8b
Dormancy: Winter
Height: 20" tall
Culture: Part Sun to Light Shade
Origin: Hybrid
Pot Size: 3 qt. (2.8 L)
Regular price $29.00Regular priceUnit price per -
Hosta 'Summer Snowstorm'
Item #: 13314
Zones: 3a to 9b
Dormancy: Winter
Height: 15" tall
Culture: Part Sun to Light Shade
Origin: Hybrid
Pot Size: 3 qt. (2.8 L)
Regular price $35.00Regular priceUnit price per -
Hosta 'Tears in Heaven' PP 33,297
Item #: 17172
Zones: 3a to 8b
Dormancy: Winter
Height: 15" tall
Culture: Part Sun to Light Shade
Origin: Hybrid
Pot Size: 2 qt. (1.9 L)
Regular price $29.00Regular priceUnit price per -
Hosta 'Touch of Class'
Item #: 4625
Zones: 3a to 8b
Dormancy: Winter
Height: 12" tall
Culture: Light Shade
Origin: Hybrid
Pot Size: 2 qt. (1.9 L)
Regular price $30.00Regular priceUnit price per -
Hosta 'Trendsetter' PP 33,296
Item #: 16708
Zones: 3a to 8b
Dormancy: Winter
Height: 12" tall
Culture: Part Sun to Light Shade
Origin: Hybrid
Pot Size: 3 qt. (2.8 L)
Regular price $29.00Regular priceUnit price per -
Hosta 'Twice as Mice'
Item #: 13304
Zones: 3a to 8b
Dormancy: Winter
Height: 5" tall
Culture: Part Sun to Light Shade
Origin: Hybrid
Pot Size: 2 qt. (1.9 L)
Regular price $32.00Regular priceUnit price per -
Hosta 'Uptown Girl'
Item #: 5215
Zones: 3a to 9b
Dormancy: Winter
Height: 24" tall
Culture: Part Sun to Light Shade
Origin: Hybrid
Pot Size: 2 qt. (1.9 L)
Regular price $30.00Regular priceUnit price per -
Hosta 'Voices in the Wind' PP 33,265
Item #: 16835
Zones: 3a to 8b
Dormancy: Winter
Height: 18" tall
Culture: Part Sun to Light Shade
Origin: Hybrid
Pot Size: 3 qt. (2.8 L)
Regular price $29.00Regular priceUnit price per -
Hosta 'Waterslide' PP 30,303
Item #: 12697
Zones: 3a to 8b
Dormancy: Winter
Height: 16" tall
Culture: Part Sun to Light Shade
Origin: Hybrid
Pot Size: 2 qt. (1.9 L)
Regular price $29.00Regular priceUnit price per -
Hosta 'Wheee!' PP 23,565
Item #: 9485
Zones: 3a to 8b
Dormancy: Winter
Height: 18" tall
Culture: Light Shade
Origin: Hybrid
Pot Size: 2 qt. (1.9 L)
Regular price $27.00Regular priceUnit price per -
Hosta 'Wind beneath My Wings' PP 33,317
Item #: 15968
Zones: 3a to 8b
Dormancy: Winter
Height: 30" tall
Culture: Part Sun to Light Shade
Origin: Hybrid
Pot Size: 3 qt. (2.8 L)
Regular price $29.00Regular priceUnit price per -
Hosta 'Wu-La-La' PP 31,309
Item #: 14305
Zones: 3a to 8b
Dormancy: Winter
Height: 36" tall
Culture: Part Sun to Light Shade
Origin: Hybrid
Pot Size: 3 qt. (2.8 L)
Regular price $29.00Regular priceUnit price per -
Hydrangea macrophylla 'Maculata'
Item #: 294
Zones: 6a to 9b
Dormancy: Winter
Height: 36" tall
Culture: Part Sun to Light Shade
Origin: Japan
Pot Size: 3.5" pot (24 fl. oz/0.7 L)
Regular price $27.00Regular priceUnit price per -
Hymenocallis caribaea 'Tropical Giant'
Item #: 3015
Zones: 7b to 10b
Dormancy: Winter
Height: 24" tall
Culture: Sun to Part Sun
Origin: Hybrid
Pot Size: 3.5" pot (24 fl. oz/0.7 L)
Regular price $26.00Regular priceUnit price perNext crop available: 12/22/2023Sold out -
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Hymenocallis imperialis
Item #: 17173
Zones: 7b to 10b, at least
Dormancy: Winter
Height: 24" tall
Culture: Sun
Origin: Mexico
Pot Size: 3.5" pot (24 fl. oz/0.7 L)
Regular price $25.00Regular priceUnit price perNext crop available: 05/23/2025Sold out -
Hypericum x inodorum 'Hypearl Compact Red'
Item #: 13518
Zones: 7a to 9b, 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 $21.00Regular priceUnit price per -
Illicium parviflorum 'Florida Sunshine'
Item #: 6945
Zones: 6a to 9b
Dormancy: Evergreen
Height: 96" tall
Culture: Part Sun to Light Shade
Origin: United States
Pot Size: 3.5" pot (24 fl. oz/0.7 L)
Regular price $24.00Regular priceUnit price per -
Indigofera kirilowii 'Bernheim'
Item #: 11083
Zones: 4b to 8b
Dormancy: Winter
Height: 60" tall
Culture: Sun to Part Sun
Origin: China, Japan, Korea
Pot Size: 3.5" pot (24 fl. oz/0.7 L)
Regular price $21.00Regular priceUnit price per -
Indigofera kirilowii 'Christo'
Item #: 674
Zones: 4b to 8b
Dormancy: Winter
Height: 18" tall
Culture: Sun to Part Sun
Origin: China
Pot Size: 3.5" pot (24 fl. oz/0.7 L)
Regular price $21.00Regular priceUnit price per -
Sold out
Iris ensata 'Agrippinella'
Item #: 8146
Zones: 5a to 9b
Dormancy: Winter
Height: 36" tall
Culture: Sun
Origin: Japan
Pot Size: 3.5" pot (24 fl. oz/0.7 L)
Regular price $25.00Regular priceUnit price perNext crop available: N/ASold out -
Sold out
Iris ensata 'Bellender Blue'
Item #: 7074
Zones: 5a to 8b
Dormancy: Winter
Height: 50" tall
Culture: Sun
Origin: Japan
Pot Size: 3.5" pot (24 fl. oz/0.7 L)
Regular price $25.00Regular priceUnit price perNext crop available: N/ASold out -
Sold out
Iris ensata 'Lion King'
Item #: 17110
Zones: 5a to 10b
Dormancy: Winter
Height: 40" tall
Culture: Sun
Origin: Japan
Pot Size: 3.5" pot (24 fl. oz/0.7 L)
Regular price $25.00Regular priceUnit price perNext crop available: 01/26/2024Sold out -
Iris ensata 'Queen's Tiara'
Item #: 7650
Zones: 5a to 8b
Dormancy: Winter
Height: 36" tall
Culture: Sun
Origin: Japan
Pot Size: 3.5" pot (24 fl. oz/0.7 L)
Regular price $25.00Regular priceUnit price per -
Sold out
Iris ensata 'Sakura Komachi'
Item #: 13750
Zones: 5a to 8b
Dormancy: Winter
Height: 24" tall
Culture: Sun
Origin: Japan
Pot Size: 3.5" pot (24 fl. oz/0.7 L)
Regular price $25.00Regular priceUnit price perNext crop available: N/ASold out
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.