Thrillers, Fillers and Spillers, how to create gorgeous floral displays for your abode…

My daughter and I had a chance to visit the Carolina’s early this summer. After a wedding at the stunning Vanderbilt Mansion in Ashville, NC we hopped into our white Sahara Jeep Wrangler, grabbed a delicious tray bar~b~que at Luella’s and then bombed down the highway to Charleston. We loved soaking up all of the historical charm of this town. Today I’m excited to share with you some of the botanical beauty we found, starting with the 1-2-3 guide for their fabulous flower boxes and planters and finishing with a peak into style icon Carolyne Roehm’s entry garden {be ready for true blue and white bliss}.

Window boxes, shutters, beautiful window boxes, splendid window boxes, Charleston, ferns and flowers

While there, a friend took me on a bike tour to see the town, with a focus on architecture, which, of course, included some incredible window boxes and planters.

Window boxes, beautiful window boxes, splendid window boxes, Charleston, palms, impatience

She taught me the local 1~2~3 guide of window box design {which reminds me of my 1~2~3 method for flower arranging} which of course can be applied to planting in pots as well. And as we peddled around I saw it in effect over and over again.

Window boxes, shutters, beautiful window boxes, splendid window boxes, Charleston, rosemary topiary, white geraniums, lobelia

As we’re moving into Summer, many of us are thinking of filling our pots and window boxes with a stunning combination of plants and bloom, so I hope you’ll find these images inspiring. Here’s how you can create this look at your abode…

Window boxes, shutters, beautiful window boxes, splendid window boxes, Charleston, impatience

Number 1 is a thriller, a tall feature in the center of the box, in the box below it is a boxwood plant. Number 2 is the fillers, plants in a variety of textures and colors to fill out the box, here we have a coral colored geranium, a spiky purple flower, perhaps a Salvia or Blue False Indigo, and a chartreuse greenery {anyone? not sure what they are}. Number 3 is the spiller, plants that will soften the edges of the box, dripping down to create more visual interest and drama, here I spot Candytuft and a chartreuse dripping lovely, perhaps it’s a Golden Creeping Jenny. Quite an enticing combination, isn’t it?

Window boxes, shutters, beautiful window boxes, splendid window boxes, Charleston, boxwood, candy tuft, coral geraniums, creeping Jenny, golden creeping Jenny

Note that flowers are optional, I loved this version of T,F,S with all greens.

Window boxes, shutters, beautiful window boxes, splendid window boxes, Charleston, ferns, greenery

This is mostly green with just a few pale blooms.

Window boxes, shutters, beautiful window boxes, splendid window boxes, Charleston, grasses, geraniums, creeping Jenny, candy tuft

Here grasses serve as both a thriller and spiller, along with some other trailing flowers {maybe petunias}.

Window boxes, shutters, beautiful window boxes, splendid window boxes, Charleston, grasses, petunias
Window boxes, shutters, beautiful window boxes, splendid window boxes, Charleston, greenery

Now let’s see how this method can be translated into pots. This bonsai was certainly thrilling and unexpected, white and purple Candy Tufts serve as filler and spiller.

Window boxes, shutters, beautiful window boxes, splendid window boxes, Charleston, bonsai tree, candy tuft

You can’t go wrong with distinctive verdant topiaries surrounded by an ivy fill and spill.

Window boxes, shutters, beautiful window boxes, splendid window boxes, Charleston, topiary, ivy
Window boxes, shutters, beautiful window boxes, splendid window boxes, Charleston, topiary, ivy

Creeping fig has a prominent presence on many of the most beautiful walls and stairways of Charleston. This greenery growing on vertical surfaces frames the homes, softens the appearance and creates a deeply lush look.

Window boxes, shutters, beautiful window boxes, splendid window boxes, Charleston, creeping fig, boxwoods, creeping fig on stairs
Window boxes, shutters, beautiful window boxes, splendid window boxes, Charleston, creeping fig on stairway, brick stairs, wrought iron railing

The ever-tasteful Carolyne Roehm has it growing on her vertical surfaces, creating a lovely lush background for her signature blue and white pots.

Window boxes, shutters, beautiful window boxes, splendid window boxes, Charleston, creeping fig, creeping fig on stairs, topiary, blue and white pots with topiaries, Carolyne Roehm, Carolyne Roehm's home

I’ve been working through some technical difficulties, so I haven’t been able to post for awhile, but it seems everything is up and running again. I’m looking forward to bringing you more of the beauty and charm of Charleston soon!

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