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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Penstemon 'Dark Towers' PP 20,013
Item #: 8907
Zones: 3a to 8b
Dormancy: Evergreen
Height: 24" tall
Culture: Sun
Origin: United States Hybrid
Pot Size: 3.5" pot (24 fl. oz/0.7 L)
Regular price $21.00Regular priceUnit price per -
Penstemon 'Kissin' Kuzins'
Item #: 3269
Zones: 6a to 8b, at least
Dormancy: Winter
Height: 28" tall
Culture: Sun
Origin: United States
Pot Size: 3.5" pot (24 fl. oz/0.7 L)
Regular price $22.00Regular priceUnit price per -
Penstemon 'Midnight Masquerade' PP 29,603
Item #: 13493
Zones: 3a to 8b
Dormancy: Evergreen
Height: 32" tall
Culture: Sun
Origin: United States Hybrid
Pot Size: 3.5" pot (24 fl. oz/0.7 L)
Regular price $21.00Regular priceUnit price perNext crop available: 05/31/2024Sold out -
Perovskia atriplicifolia 'Blue Jean Baby' PP 29,281
Item #: 13502
Zones: 4a to 8b, possibly colder
Dormancy: Winter
Height: 34" tall
Culture: Sun
Origin: Afghanistan, China, Himalayan Mountains, Pakistan, Turkey
Pot Size: 3.5" pot (24 fl. oz/0.7 L)
Regular price $21.00Regular priceUnit price per -
Persicaria polymorpha
Item #: 4156
Zones: 3a to 8b, at least
Dormancy: Winter
Height: 60" tall
Culture: Sun to Light Shade
Origin: China, Japan
Pot Size: 3.5" pot (24 fl. oz/0.7 L)
Regular price $23.00Regular priceUnit price per -
Phlox paniculata 'David'
Item #: 703
Zones: 3a to 10b
Dormancy: Winter
Height: 36" tall
Culture: Sun
Origin: United States
Pot Size: 3.5" pot (24 fl. oz/0.7 L)
Regular price $20.00Regular priceUnit price per -
Phlox paniculata 'John Fanick'
Item #: 7383
Zones: 3a to 9b
Dormancy: Winter
Height: 36" tall
Culture: Sun to Part Sun
Origin: United States
Pot Size: 3.5" pot (24 fl. oz/0.7 L)
Regular price $21.00Regular priceUnit price per -
Phlox paniculata 'Opalescence' PP 33,295
Item #: 17114
Zones: 5a to 9b, at least
Dormancy: Winter
Height: 36" tall
Culture: Sun
Origin: United States
Pot Size: 3.5" pot (24 fl. oz/0.7 L)
Regular price $21.00Regular priceUnit price perNext crop available: 05/17/2024Sold out -
Phlox paniculata 'Thai Pink Jade' PP 22,961
Item #: 13504
Zones: 5a to 9b, at least
Dormancy: Winter
Height: 48" tall
Culture: Sun
Origin: United States
Pot Size: 3.5" pot (24 fl. oz/0.7 L)
Regular price $21.00Regular priceUnit price per -
Physostegia virginiana 'Miss Manners'
Item #: 3172
Zones: 4a to 8b
Dormancy: Winter
Height: 30" tall
Culture: Sun to Part Sun
Origin: United States
Pot Size: 3.5" pot (24 fl. oz/0.7 L)
Regular price $21.00Regular priceUnit price perNext crop available: 05/17/2024Sold out -
Pleopeltis lepidopteris 'Morro dos Conventos'
Item #: 10774
Zones: 7b to 9b, at least
Dormancy: Evergreen
Height: 18" tall
Culture: Sun to Light Shade
Origin: Brazil
Pot Size: 3.5" pot (24 fl. oz/0.7 L)
Regular price $28.00Regular priceUnit price perSold out -
Podophyllum x boreiforme 'Standing Tall'
Item #: 13665
Zones: 5a to 8b, at least
Dormancy: Winter
Height: 42" tall
Culture: Part Sun to Shade
Origin: Hybrid
Pot Size: 3.5" pot (24 fl. oz/0.7 L)
Regular price $38.00Regular priceUnit price perNext crop available: 07/19/2024Sold out -
Sold out
Podophyllum difforme
Item #: 3358
Zones: 6b to 8b, at least
Dormancy: Winter
Height: 20" tall
Culture: Light Shade
Origin: China
Pot Size: 3.5" pot (24 fl. oz/0.7 L)
Regular price $78.00Regular priceUnit price perNext crop available: 06/28/2024Sold out -
Sold out
Podophyllum mairei
Item #: 11689
Zones: 5a to 8b, at least
Dormancy: Winter
Height: 24" tall
Culture: Part Sun to Shade
Origin: China
Pot Size: 3.5" pot (24 fl. oz/0.7 L)
Regular price $38.00Regular priceUnit price perNext crop available: 07/26/2024Sold out -
Podophyllum peltatum f. deamii 'Marcel Raymond'
Item #: 16855
Zones: 5a to 8b, at least
Dormancy: Winter
Height: 15" tall
Culture: Part Sun to Light Shade
Origin: United States
Pot Size: 3.5" pot (24 fl. oz/0.7 L)
Regular price $34.00Regular priceUnit price per -
Podophyllum peltatum 'Maid Marion'
Item #: 15374
Zones: 5a to 8b, at least
Dormancy: Winter, Summer
Height: 15" tall
Culture: Part Sun to Light Shade
Origin: United States
Pot Size: 3.5" pot (24 fl. oz/0.7 L)
Regular price $27.00Regular priceUnit price per -
Podophyllum peltatum 'Missouri May'
Item #: 9703
Zones: 5a to 8b, at least
Dormancy: Winter
Height: 15" tall
Culture: Part Sun to Light Shade
Origin: United States
Pot Size: 3.5" pot (24 fl. oz/0.7 L)
Regular price $34.00Regular priceUnit price per -
Podophyllum peltatum 'Wagon Wheels'
Item #: 9966
Zones: 5a to 8b, at least
Dormancy: Winter, Summer, Fall
Height: 15" tall
Culture: Part Sun to Light Shade
Origin: United States
Pot Size: 3.5" pot (24 fl. oz/0.7 L)
Regular price $27.00Regular priceUnit price per -
Podophyllum pleianthum
Item #: 1621
Zones: 5b to 8b, at least
Dormancy: Winter
Height: 24" tall
Culture: Light Shade to Shade
Origin: China
Pot Size: 3.5" pot (24 fl. oz/0.7 L)
Regular price $34.00Regular priceUnit price per -
Podophyllum 'Spotty Dotty' PP 17,361
Item #: 6301
Zones: 5a to 8b
Dormancy: Winter
Height: 18" tall
Culture: Light Shade to Shade
Origin: Hybrid
Pot Size: 3.5" pot (24 fl. oz/0.7 L)
Regular price $55.00Regular priceUnit price per -
Podophyllum versipelle ssp. boreale
Item #: 1548
Zones: 5a to 8b, at least
Dormancy: Winter
Height: 36" tall
Culture: Part Sun to Shade
Origin: China
Pot Size: 3.5" pot (24 fl. oz/0.7 L)
Regular price $34.00Regular priceUnit price per -
Polianthes x bundrantii 'Pink Sapphire' PP 26,460
Item #: 12279
Zones: 7b to 10b
Dormancy: Winter
Height: 36" tall
Culture: Part Sun
Origin: Hybrid
Pot Size: 3.5" pot (24 fl. oz/0.7 L)
Regular price $24.00Regular priceUnit price perSold out -
Polygonatum infundiflorum 'Lemon Seoul'
Item #: 5473
Zones: 5a to 9b, at least
Dormancy: Winter
Height: 36" tall
Culture: Part Sun to Shade
Origin: Korea
Pot Size: 3.5" pot (24 fl. oz/0.7 L)
Regular price $26.00Regular priceUnit price per -
Polygonatum kingianum var. kingianum 'Bellagio'
Item #: 12682
Zones: 6a to 9b, guessing
Dormancy: Winter
Height: 60" tall
Culture: Light Shade
Origin: China
Pot Size: 3.5" pot (24 fl. oz/0.7 L)
Regular price $32.00Regular 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.