Container Garden Ideas With Annuals

Container garden ideas with annuals that are easy, colorful, and affordable. Perfect for porches, patios, and small outdoor spaces.

One of the easiest ways to add color to your outdoor space is by using annuals in containers. Whether you’re filling a front porch urn, a backyard patio planter, or a favorite flowerpot on your balcony, annuals offer instant impact without a big commitment. They’re affordable, simple to care for, and available in so many varieties. In this post, I’m sharing some of my favorite ideas for beautiful container gardens, including different types of flowers that work well together, and combinations that thrive in both sun and shade. If you’re not sure where to start, or just want to refresh your current planters, these ideas will help you create something beautiful with very little effort.

Container Recipe: SunPatiens, Ivy, & Sweet Potato Vine

When planning a container garden, a helpful and popular method is to include a thriller, a filler, and a spiller. The thriller is your centerpiece. It’s usually the tallest plant and adds height and structure. Fillers are medium-sized plants that surround the thriller and help fill in the arrangement with color or texture. Finally, spillers are trailing plants that cascade over the sides of the container, adding softness and movement. Using this simple formula makes it easy to create an eye-catching display that’s balanced, no matter your style or plant preferences.

Using the thriller, filler, and spiller method, here’s a simple combination that works beautifully in a pair of square planters. For each container, you’ll need one large SunPatiens (the thriller), two sweet potato vine plants (the spiller), and two hardy ivy plants (another spiller with added texture). I used rustic galvanized resin square planters that measure 16 by 16 inches, and they were just the right size. Before planting, make sure your containers have proper drainage. These came with plugged holes, so I simply removed the plugs. If your planters don’t have drainage holes, drilling a few in the bottom will do the trick.

To reduce weight and save on soil, I placed a few empty plastic soda and milk bottles in the bottom of each container. Then I added fresh potting soil, stopping a couple of inches from the top to prevent overflow when watering. I placed the SunPatiens in the center, and tucked the ivy and sweet potato vine in opposite corners. Once everything was in place, I gave the planters a good, deep watering.

Lobelia

The happy blue flowers on a lobelia plant add instant charm and curb appeal to any front door or entryway. These delicate blooms are a favorite for spring container gardens, especially in cooler weather, and they’re known to attract hummingbirds. Lobelia is a wonderful choice for window boxes and large planters, and while it prefers partial shade, it can tolerate some morning sun. Although lobelia is technically a perennial, it’s treated as an annual in most U.S. growing zones. It likes moist soil, but be careful not to overwater. As spring gives way to warmer summer temperatures, lobelia can become dried out and leggy. If that happens, trim the plant back, give it a dose of fertilizer, and increase watering. With a little care, it will reward you by blooming again!

Traditional Impatiens

It’s definitely possible to grow impatiens from seed, but I always start with small bedding plants from the garden center. These young plants are easy to work with, and once they’re settled into containers, they take off quickly. Be sure to wait until all danger of frost has passed, then plant your impatiens in good quality potting soil. They can be spaced close together, so don’t hesitate to pack them in. As they grow, their roots will mingle and fill in the container, creating a lush display of blooms. One of the best things about impatiens is how low-maintenance they are. Regular watering is really all that’s needed. There’s no need to deadhead, since the spent blooms fall away naturally. It’s an easy and beautiful choice for any shady porch or patio.

Ferns

Ferns are very easy to maintain, and their hardiness is legendary. They can be neglected for days, but once watered, their foliage bounces right back. Of course, regular watering is best! Fern leaves, or fronds, have the prettiest texture, and multiply quickly. I love to cut the fronds and use them in garden flower arrangements. For extra nutrients, it’s helpful to use a water-soluble fertilizer once a month. (See this post to learn more about ferns.)

More Flower Types (Part Shade)

• Salvia – upright spikes of blooms that attract pollinators and thrive in full sun
• Sweet Alyssum (pictured above) – low-growing with small, fragrant flowers that soften container edges
• Begonia – versatile and easy to grow, with blooms that brighten up shaded areas
• Heucheras (Coral Bells) – colorful foliage in shades of green, purple, and bronze; great for containers
• Violas + Pansies – charming and dainty, often grown from seed in containers for shady spots
• Flowering shrubs for partial shade – azaleas, hydrangeas, and rhododendrons add structure and seasonal color
• Evergreens for partial shade – boxwood and Japanese yew offer year-round greenery and work well in pots or borders
• Heliotrope (pictured at the top of the page) – clusters of tiny, fragrant purple blooms; needs full morning sun; toxic to pets
• Giant Snowflake Bacopa (pictured below) – trailing white blooms that thrive in part shade and spill gracefully from containers

What is a Full Shade Plant?

When a plant is referred to as “full shade,” it means that in order for it to thrive, it needs no exposure to the sun. Woodland areas, as well as covered porches or decks, provide protection from the sun, and are the perfect place to plant a shade garden…either in the ground, or in containers.

Plants That Thrive In Full Shade

• Begonias (wax or tuberous) – ideal for containers with their vibrant blooms and tidy growth
• Coleus – grown for its striking foliage in a range of colors and patterns
• Torenia (Wishbone Flower) – trumpet-shaped blooms that thrive in shade and attract pollinators
• Fuchsia – elegant, drooping flowers that work well in hanging baskets and shaded planters
• Caladium (often treated as an annual) – bold, heart-shaped leaves in shades of pink, white, and green
• Polka Dot Plant – tiny leaves speckled in pink or white, perfect for adding texture and color
• Browallia – produces blue, purple, or white star-shaped flowers that brighten up shady areas
• Hypoestes (Pink Splash or Polka Dot Plant) – colorful foliage that works well as filler in mixed containers
• Creeping Jenny (pictured above) – a trailing plant with chartreuse leaves that adds beautiful contrast and texture in containers

Annuals are an easy and rewarding way to bring color and life to your outdoor spaces, no matter the size or amount of sunlight. Choosing the best plants for your conditions ensures a long growing season filled with healthy blooms and foliage. Whether you’re working with a large porch planter or a small pot by the back door, start with good garden soil and a few simple supplies. With a little care and creativity, you can turn any pot into the perfect container. From bold thrillers to trailing spillers, annuals make it easy to refresh your space and enjoy the beauty of gardening all season long.