Three Things or Your Favorite Combinations

15 years ago

I thought it might be fun to name three things that have been "foolproof" combinations for you. Since it WAS my idea, I'll start!

Yarrow, coneflower, daylily: I have used variations of this grouping all over the garden!

In a mixed border, I also like: small evergreen shrub, deciduous shrub, and ornamental grass.

I'm in zone 5, outside of Chicago, weather too unpredictable to garden yet. Please, what has worked for you?

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Comments (15)

armyyife
15 years ago
White Shasta Daisies, roses, and hollyhocks. Nepta, roses, and Shasta Daisies. Shastas, purple cone flowers, and black-eyed Susans. I love those daisies! I just planted some more 'Becky' Shastas in front and between all my pink Knockouts in front of the house. I can't wait till they mature! How pretty that will be! :O) ~Meghan
DYH
15 years ago
Echinacea 'Ruby Star'
Spirea 'Neon Flash'
Salvia greggii 'Dark Dancer'
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From a designer's perspective, the best plant combinations involve a careful balance of contrasting and complimentary features. The 'contrast' part typically involves the use of plant shapes and foliage textures while the 'complimentary' aspect generally relates to colors as well as sharing similar growing conditions. In the combination above, the bold, heavy texture of the hydrangea foliage is offset by the lacier, more delicate Actaea foliage. You also have the spreading mass of the hydrangea in contrast to the more upright, clumping form of the Actaea. The grass (Carex) adds still another form and textural contrast, while the smaller, rounder and spreading form of the heuchera or epimedium provides yet another textural effect. The hosta in tj's example does the same. Much of the complimentary effect comes into play with the colors involved.......the deep maroon of the Actaea foliage compliments the deep green of the hydrangea and will accent the hydrangea as begins to turn into its fall colors. The heuchera picks up both of these colors, as does the painted fern or the epimedium as it puts out its new spring growth. And of course, all these plants enjoy similar growing conditions as well. Because flowers are such a transitory aspect of a garden design, I tend to place less emphasis on combining specific flower types than I do on the foliage, but the above plants do offer a very nice combined flowering effect as well - the shape of the hydrangea blossoms is somewhat repeated in the spikes of the Actaea, plus the coloring of the coloring of the hydrangea flowers as they age will pick up the pinkish tones of the Actaea as well. And the heuchera or epimedium will offer an early and very delicate flower effect, repeated later by the hostas. IMO, the best combinations involve at least three different plants and often, more. Less than that and you do not achieve enough contrast and compliment to make the combination really effective.
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blueberryhills
15 years ago
My FAVORITE collection of three:
Twin A - who is "in charge" of the vegetable gardens
Twin B - who is "in charge" of the flower gardens
and my sweetie who keeps me in lawnmower blades, gas, tractors, tools in good working order and my head out of the clouds!!
lori_elf z6b MD
15 years ago
Pink rose, allium 'Christopheri', and nigella.
gottagarden
15 years ago
Veronica, rose campion, salvia 'Purple Rain', hardy geranium - beautiful every year
{{gwi:649351}}From 2008 Misc
armyyife
15 years ago
Ooo, I love that combo! Very pretty!
prairiegirlz5
Original Author
15 years ago
Thanks to all for sharing so generously. What works for one may not work for all, but we can all use the inspiration.

Meghan~I'm thinking I need to try some Shasta daisies! Have you seen 'Crazy Daisy'? That one caught my eye...

wonbyherwits (Gotta love that nick)~Wow, that sounds HOT!

LOL~BBHills.

Lori-How romantic, I bet that is pretty.

Beautiful pic gottagarden. You are an artist!
todancewithwolves
15 years ago
GottaGarden, that is a spectacular combo.

I love oranges and purples
{{gwi:649352}}

and...

Pinks and Reds
{{gwi:635903}}

or ...

Blending whites
{{gwi:622233}}
prairiegirlz5
Original Author
15 years ago
Oooh, I've only heard of white gardens, never really saw one that grabbed me, 'til now. Is that angel's trumpet?
todancewithwolves
15 years ago
It is ... and it has double blooms. The scent in the evening is to die for.
BecR
15 years ago
Gorgeous combos!!! A picture is worth a thousand words... :D
lavendrfem
15 years ago
Coneflowers, Russian Sage, Rose Campion, Bachelor buttons
midnightsmum (Z4, ON)
15 years ago
becr - you got it!! A pic is worth a thousand words - responders, defend your choices with a pic!!!

Nancy - oh yeah, gottagarden and todancewithwolves - kudos!!!
PRO
Nell Jean
15 years ago
{{gwi:649353}}Thumbnail, click for bigger

Persian Shield (strobilanthes), Orienpet lilies and Oakleaf Hydrangea

Other favs are:
echinacea (purple coneflower with pink daylilies and pink caladiums
White snapdragons, larkspur and corn poppies (red, white and blue)

Nell
libbyshome
15 years ago
This globeflower with the bluebells.

{{gwi:649354}}

Libby

Three Things or Your Favorite Combinations

Comments (15)

armyyife

DYH

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Three Things or Your Favorite Combinations

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