Mother's Day Sale: Peonies, Planters & Hanging Baskets.
Hello, again! There’s something magical about heading to the mountains for a summer escape. Don’t get me wrong - I love Kansas and everything it has to offer. But come summertime, the cool, crisp nights at higher elevations and the warmth of a campfire offer a welcome break from the Midwest heat. What really pulls me in, though, are the views. The jagged peaks rising in the distance command attention long before you arrive. Driving west on I-70, I find myself watching the horizon for that first glimpse of Pikes Peak or Longs Peak - icons of the Front Range that never fail to thrill. While the lower slopes and forests are beautiful in their own right, the peaks are what truly make the mountain ranges unforgettable.
And then there’s the scent - the clean, earthy aroma of pine and spruce trees filling the air. That fragrance is deeply tied to memory, and it’s often what brings people back year after year. For me, it’s the smell of calm, of being away, of something different.
Waterfalls, too, are part of the magic. Cascading from mountaintops, they bring life to rivers and streams, their sound echoing through valleys. Watching them flow is soothing - mesmerizing, really - and it’s easy to lose track of time just sitting there and taking it all in.
Some of that same beauty and structure from the mountains can inspire us at home - in our landscapes, and even in our container gardens. Whether you’re designing a flower bed or arranging a patio planter, the same elements apply: something tall to catch the eye, something to fill the space, and something to spill over and soften the edges. In the world of container gardening, we call them ‘Thrillers, Fillers, and Spillers’. You’ve probably heard me talk about this concept before, because it’s a tried-and-true ‘recipe’ to follow when designing your pots and planters.
Thrillers are your focal point - the 'mountain peaks' of your planter. Tall and attention-grabbing, they might be ornamental grasses, a striking coleus, or even a tropical hibiscus.
Fillers surround the thriller, adding body and transitioning the eye downward - just like evergreen forests carpeting mountain slopes. Think sun impatiens, lantana, or petunias. Even herbs like rosemary or basil work as fillers and can add a lovely scent to your patio space.
Spillers are the final touch - plants that trail over the edge, drawing the eye downward and grounding the whole arrangement. Sweet potato vines, calibrachoa, wave petunias, and English ivy all add movement and color.
We create our combination planters with these principles in mind. Whether you’re planting for yourself or looking for a gift for Mom, we have sun- or shade-loving, ready-made containers in a variety of colors and styles, all built around that perfect trio: thriller, filler, spiller. We also have all of the ‘ingredients’ you need to design your own! For more in depth container planting info, ask us in store or visit our Gardening Tips online.
And while the mountains might be calling this summer, you may just find that a little beauty - and a little inspiration - is waiting for you right in your own backyard.
Your friend in the garden,
Marty Johnson Owner - Johnson's Garden Centers
P.S. FREE fun for kids: Anytime this Friday, Saturday or Sunday, bring the kids by to help them plant a flower for mom (or someone special!)
