How to Prepare for a Thriving Container Garden
Curated container gardens and beds give a home personality and curb appeal.
Photo: Lifescape Colorado
As winter begins to wane, thoughts move to spring and summer gardens. Colorado Homes & Lifestyles spoke to Karolina Zolnierczyk, an expert at Lifescape Colorado, to learn about what takes residential gardening to the next level.
Photo: Lifescape Colorado
What Makes a Beautiful Container Garden?
KZ: The first rule of thumb is to define the orientation of a pot or flower bed in relation to the home. By ensuring that your plants receive the level of sun or shade they are suited for, you can create a thriving container garden.
Is There a Container Garden Formula?
KZ: I use the thriller-filler-spiller method to plant beautiful pots. With a tall, ornamental annual in the center, filler surrounding the center plant, and spiller that cascades, you build a nicely proportioned container. Disregard planting instructions for pots and containers. Stuff the container for fullness from the start. Plants can always be deadheaded and pinched back as the growing season progresses.
Photo: Lifescape Colorado
Plants for Sun and Shade
KZ: Mandevilla vine, elephant ear and hibiscus trees are thrillers that do well in the sun. A tropical palm cat plant makes a beautiful shade thriller.
SunPatiens are colorful fillers that are sun tolerant. Impatiens do very well to fill in shady areas. Other fillers to consider are salvia, dahlias and calibrachoa. Coleus is a hardy annual that tolerates both sun and shade and comes in vivid colors like red, lime green, and purple. Lobelia, dichondra, creeping jenny, angelina and the hardy potato vine all do well as spillers.
Photo: Lifescape Colorado
Maintaining Container Gardens
KZ: Watering is key. Containers and hanging baskets tend to dry out in the summer heat, so be sure to water them often.
Planting Flower Beds
KZ: Beds can incorporate perennials that return each year alongside annuals. Some good shade-loving perennials are hostas, brunnera, ajuga and Japanese anemone. Sun tolerant choices include Denver gold columbine, daisy and geranium. Thyme and veronica work beautifully as fill between patio pavers. Ornamental grasses create interest and height.
Photo: Lifescape Colorado
Think Ahead for Early Bloomers
KZ: Fall is a great time to plant bulbs for early blooms before the warm season begins in earnest. Pansies do well in pots, give a pop of early color, and can survive frost and snow.
Consult an Expert
KZ: Getting the advice of an expert before you plant can save you time and money, protecting your gardening investment. If you’re not an experienced DIY gardener, you can contract placement, planting, irrigation and maintenance to help you enjoy an abundant Colorado garden.
As featured in Colorado Homes & Lifestyles March/April 2026 issue.
