Hello Mike,

Sounds like you're planning on creating a beautiful display! The recommended format for planters is to have a "thriller", i.e. a taller plant in the center, then some "spillers" to cascade over the edges of the container, and then "fillers" to add color and dimension all around the container.

Suggestions for the "thriller", choose from cannas, dahlia, purple fountain grass (or other colors of grasses), and taller zinnias (short/dwarf zinnias make good fillers)

For "spillers" choose sweet potato vines (neon green or almost black look great), or climbing geraniums or trailing nasturtiums

For "fillers", choose lantana, calibrachoa, mounding dianthus, Euphorbia diamond frost (tiny white flowers), marigolds, petunias (in other words, most annual plants will work well here). You can even add some herbs - Rosemary and lavender and basil will give height, creeping thyme or creeping rosemary will spill over the edges.

Remember to water the container because they can easily dry out in full sun. And pick the flowers and herbs so that the plants bush out

Have fun making your display. Let us know if you have further questions.

Lesley for UDC master gardeners