City Hall Planters
As you walk up the steps at City Hall you are greeted by five large planters bursting with color from spring until fall. Three plants are typically used in each planter that will vary each year based on availability, but there is one technique that never changes, we use the "thriller" "filler" "spiller" method. The thriller is the centerpiece of the whole display. The filler gives color and closes out the gaps. Finally, the spiller is the running plants that spill over the edges of the planter. Be sure to drive or walk by the planters as they bring unique character to our main government house.
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LOCATIONS
City Hall - Planted Each Year
PURPLE GRASS
(Thriller)
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It is purple and it is a grass, hence giving it the name of Purple Grass. You might not think much of it to start with, but soon you will see that Purple Grass makes a great "thriller" for any planter you have. It is very drought tolerant to be able to withstand the Helena heat, and gives the planter height with a unique color.
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DETAILS
Height - 2 to 4 ft | Width - 2 ft | Full Sun | Blooms spring to frost | Foliage Color - Redish Purple
CALADIUM
(Thriller)
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What starts as a bulb ends in beauty. Caladiums are known for it's heart shaped leaves that packs a ton of color. The foliage will be a combination of white, red, pink and green with each leaf carrying a different color combination. This plant will give you height and fullness allowing you to plant it about anywhere you want.
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DETAILS
Height - 1 to 3 ft | Width - 2 ft | Partial to Full Sun | Foliage Color - White, Pink, Red and Green
PATUNIA
(Filler)
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The color selection of Petunias is almost endless allowing you to have an array of possibilities on color combinations. Whether you use only one color or multiple colors in your planter, you will absolutely love the way Petunias look. Known for their large spread and cascading habits they make an ideal plant for a planter.
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DETAILS
Height - 5 to 7 inches | Width - 8 inches | Full Sun | Blooms spring to frost | Flower Color - Various
CALIBRACHOA
(Filler)
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Like the child we never had, Calibrachoa is a self cleaning and tidy plant. The blooms are a smaller version of a Petunia bloom making it a great companion. You might also know this plant by its other name, Million Belles." In is a great plant to withstand the heat as long as you give it plenty of water.
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DETAILS
Height - 6 to 12 inches | Width - 8 inches | Full Sun | Blooms spring to frost | Flower Color - Various
BACOPA
(Filler)
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Beautiful white flower greeting you at the door. Bacopa is a plant that has blooms that thrive in the spring through summer. It is an herb plant that not only produces the stark white blooms but is also used in vitamins, but we discourage anyone eating our plants. Not always has been a popular plant for containers in the past few years it has become a rockstar of its own due to its trailing habit.
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DETAILS
Height - 4 to 6 inches | Width - 1 ft | Partial to Full Sun | Blooms - Spring and Summer | Flower Color - White
VERBENA
(Filler)
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Picture this...a plant that blooms nonstop from the beginning of summer all the way to fall. Look no further than Verbena. The blooms come in a variety of colors making it an extremely versatile plant to match any color you may need. Verbena is a great plant to draw in butterflies to bring even more color to your planters.
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DETAILS
Height - 6 to 10 inches | Width - 10 inches | Full Sun | Blooms - Spring to Summer | Flower Color - Varies
SWEET POTATO VINE
(Spiller)
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One of the most versatile plants around, the Sweet Potato Vine is used as another "spiller" in our hanging baskets. The power and beauty of the bright green with purple accent foliage gives the baskets additional flowing color. Sweet Potato Vine thrives in the heat as long as it get regular watering.
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DETAILS
Height - 6 inches to 2 ft | Width - 5 ft | Partial to Full Sun | Foliage - Bright Green
HOW TO PLANT
Find your Location - Make sure your find a good place that will get roughly 6 hours of sun per day.
Plant It - A good rule of thumb is to plant 1 plant per inch of the basket width (an 18 inch basket would get 18 plants). Fill in your basket with soil and place your plants where you want the, leaving the top of the soil roughly 2 inches below the rim of the basket.
Water it In - Grab your watering can, hose or even a cup; whatever it takes to start getting some fresh water on your newest additions. Water your basket each day to ensure they last all summer long.
ENJOY - With a little care, your hanging baskets will be a sight to behold.
**Growing Tip**
We suggest a very simple soil mix of top soil and composted cow manure. This mix will provide a great environment for your new basket to thrive.
Plant It - A good rule of thumb is to plant 1 plant per inch of the basket width (an 18 inch basket would get 18 plants). Fill in your basket with soil and place your plants where you want the, leaving the top of the soil roughly 2 inches below the rim of the basket.
Water it In - Grab your watering can, hose or even a cup; whatever it takes to start getting some fresh water on your newest additions. Water your basket each day to ensure they last all summer long.
ENJOY - With a little care, your hanging baskets will be a sight to behold.
**Growing Tip**
We suggest a very simple soil mix of top soil and composted cow manure. This mix will provide a great environment for your new basket to thrive.
The Helena Beautification Board is an appointed board of the Helena City Council. The Board believes that people and places are profoundly connected and thriving communities are rooted in individual responsibility and action. They host a variety of opportunities for the community to come together and serve each year. Events are posted on the Helena Beautiful Facebook page and announced via Twitter at @TweetHomeHelena.