I often see good planting combinations in the garden. Some are just happy accidents, while others are copied from other peoples postings and a few are ones that I conceived of on my own. I do a big happy dance when those work in my garden. So here are a few photographs of companion plants that I think enhance each other. I would love to see your favorites together, planned or otherwise.
The first one is of just a nice group of foliage that works. Taken on June 11
Patti
Another group taken on June 20 in a shade bed that has lots of deep burgundy tones. Patti
Abutilon and Coleus.
I love that victorgardener and I will steal that idea for next winter when I bring my abutilon in to winter over in the GH. In the summer it lives by the back door in a big pot and I plant parsley around it for a quick snip for dinner, but in the winter it would look better with some coleus. Patti
Sometimes simple things are best. Taken on June 20. Patti
All very nice Patti. Here's a combo from last year at pond-side. I've since had to move the Ligularia (Marie Crawford). The green is Ranunculus 'Buttered Popcorn. The Hosta is 'June'.
Picture of some common kids that seem to make a cozy statement when planted together, Rugosa, flag iris, digitalis, lavender and nepeta. Taken on June 14. Patti
victorgardener, I do like the great variety of plant color and texture in your grouping. I am surprised that the grey works so well with the others, but then I realize it is playing off the grey in the rocks and is essential in tying the group to the site. Cleaver. Thanks. Patti
When I am actually planning a combo, I look at leaf form, texture, habit and size before color.
Here's one that's just flowers though. Have to show it it two photos. Never got the whole thing together. First is Stokesia with Shasta Daisy.
Just out of shot is this Coreopsis.
Victor - I did have one purple/pink combo last year that looked nice
A pink dahlia and "Diablo' Ninebark
Beautiful, Al!! This Spring I planted a bright pink Clematis at the base of one of my Ninebarks.
It's cool to try to do combos with different things - like matching a bloom to a seed head or berries, for example. I planned to use plants in my floating planter in my pond that would bloom the colors of my koi - orange, black, white. Dropped the idea when the fish died.
Here I was looking to match the two Barberries to the two colors of this Iris. It actually matched better than it looks. The sun was making the Iris colors appear too bright in this photo.
Here's a complete chance one. Broad leaf vs. needle. Sunlit vs. not. And of course the color difference. The only thing I can take credit for is seeing this moment and sprinting in to get the camera and get back in time!
I'm attracted to the Baptista blue color no matter where it resides. I especially enjoy viewing it with architectual shades of purple in the background as well as the rusty texture of the support.
Victor...lovely juxtapostion..you got lucky!
I only tried Baptisia this past year and I like it. Will get more. Almost anything looks good with a rusty metal backdrop!
Here's a current one - Physocarpus 'Coppertina', Lady's Mantle, Agastache 'Golden Jubilee' and Oak Leaf Hydrangea.
Victor..another lovely vinette. Even I look good against another rusty object...:-))
Lately I'm feeling like I'm the rusty object!
Victor,
Do you know the name of that iris. I sure do like that one!
I like barberries also, one of my favorites is Royal Cloak. After about 5 years it is a 5 foot tall waterfall. That iris would look mighty nice with Royal Cloak.
Hi Polly,
It's called Blatant.
Thank you. I will look for it. Do you recall offhand where you got it?
Paradise Garden.
Thanks! I found it at Blue J, and I already have an order there, so am adding it on. And I will put it next to my barberry. Thanks Victor.
You're welcome.
I love 'Blatant' too, now on my wish list. Not sure of the combo I will use yet, but that one you have is a winner. This grouping has kept my happy since late May and is still fresh. Pansy 'Delta Red' and hosta, Albomarginata undulata ( I think) and Athyrium niponicum var. pictum. It is sort of like a bit of Christmas in June. Patti
Great combos everyone!
Victor, Did your koi die trying to mate with a floating planter?
bbrookrd,
I went on the Blue J site, and found Blatant, then clicked on the right side, where it has stars, and says red - violet yellow top, and it came up with a whole page of beautiful bicolors. Now I have a whole new list to send to them.
Victor is costing me money!
Sorry Polly!! I love Iris too - just wish they bloomed longer. That's what I love about Lilies. Maybe I'll start a Lilies vs. Iris thread. Kind of like Ali vs. Frazier. Which plant gets butterflies floating over them? Hmm.
Dave I am now convinced it was mass suicide. Samurai tradition is hard to let go.
great combos Victor.
Lime and Blue...
Thanks Anita!
Here is another hydrangea combo- with ever-bearing strawberry taken today. Patti
I love all the lavenders going into the blues as well as the foliage combination.
Pirl, It is interesting that the one bush out or 3 is more lavender this year only as they have been together for years. Here is a Japanese Iris combination that seems to work as long as you don't see the red day lily that opened today near by. It is being moved in the morning. What was I thinking? Patti
Here was a successful July 4th picture of a NOID daylily that I love and have had for years. It blooms it's head off, but when dead heading it dyes my hand bright purple with a yarrow. Patti
If you see the an offending touch from a pink lily lurking in the previous picture. Take heart I have moved it. Here is that same yarrow in a different bed on the same day. Patti
Great JI with lavender combination. As for the red daylily I did enjoy your "What was I thinking" comments. Another DG person and I have pondered starting a thread on that very subject.
Isn't yarrow just an ideal partner for daylilies? I love it and have it in many colors. Even when it flops over it's pretty, especially with roses.
Pirl, Here is a "what was I thinking". I hope I just mixed up a bulb order and I didn't plan this nightmare. The pink was sent down the stone path to a Barbie doll pink bed and an offending orange that popped up in that bed was moved into the hole that the pink vacated. Good thing the garden police weren't in the vicinity. Patti
