Pine, spruce, and cedar boughs start to appear in garden centers and grocery stores in November. I love to browse, even though I usually “shop” for most of the materials in my garden. But I will pick up some different types of foliage, like holly or magnolia leaves to fill in the spaces. I like to switch things up a little bit each year. But what I consistently will do is apply the same thrillers, fillers, and spillers concept that I use to plant my spring, summer, and fall containers.

With a winter urn, table arrangement, or window box, you’re likely not planting anything. But you are securing your materials into the soil. This will help prevent your branches from flying away in strong winter winds.

What are thrillers, spillers, and fillers?

A “thriller” would be that main focal point: perhaps some berries, birch boughs, or a fun accessory. For example, I’ve used spray-painted silver stars made out of twigs and a mini birdhouse.

Your “spillers” are those lovely pine, cedar, or spruce boughs that spill over the side of your container.

“Fillers” can be anything from magnolia leaves to colourful sticks, like dogwood, as well as euonymus, pinecones, etc. They provide that lush, full look to your container.

Here are a few examples to illustrate my points and hopefully inspire you to create your own container!

Watch Tara create a gorgeous Winter Garden Container Arrangement for her front porch in this video: