There are several aspects to creating a cohesive look in a planting arrangement... color, plant shape, texture, scale, height and growth habit, etc... The reason a typical planting of spikes, geraniums and vinca vine looks so good together is because you have a nice contrast between the long, strap-like green leaves of the spike and the rounded leaves and flower color of the geranium... and the contrast between the vining habit and variegation of the vinca and the growth habit and color of the spike, etc... I usually choose a color palate and work from there... last year, I used purples and chartreuse as the main colors. This year, I'm going for orange, reds, salmon and yellows as the main colors, with blue and white or silver as accents. I'll know the right combo when I see it! Xuan - I think Sweet William would look great if planted with petunias in white or pinks, and some variegated english ivy... and something tall and green as height, with a contrasting leaf shape. Cleome may be a bit too tall for containers, unless you can find a dwarf variety, or inter-plant it with something that compliments the scale of that particular plant. I had fully intended to take lots of photos this year to post... so, I went outside yesterday to get new shots of the bulb beds in bloom... and I dropped the camera on the cement floor of the garage and now it doesn't work! I could kick myself for not being more careful!! I'm absolutely sick about it! We've had that camera for quite a while, and could probably use an updated version, but I'm so mad at myself for not paying closer attention while carrying it!! My wonderful husband said it's no big deal... it's just a camera. Accidents happen, and we'll simply get a new camera. Even if I have to borrow a digital camera or buy a disposable one temporarily, I am going to get shots of the gardens and patio pots as things progress. This is the only photo I have of last year's planters... you can see that I used both annuals and perennials in my arrangement... see how the colors and shapes compliment each other by contrast? Here's an idea that I use sometimes when I'm having a mental block... I'll go to Lowe's or Home Depot or Meijer's and thumb through the gardening magazines and books... especially any that advertise how to do combination container plantings. A few years ago, I bought some books and magazines that deal mostly with container gardening... just going back to them from time to time for a peek gives me a fresh perspective, and lots of new ideas!

Please ignore--couldn't get the photo to upload and reposted. Sorry

One word of warning with Home Run--very sharp prickles and lots of them! You don't want anyone having to walk closely by them, or they may be permanently snagged on Home Run. Other than that, Home Run has made a great 3x3 ft hedge for me in Zone 6 Midwest. Don't know how it handles JBs--we dont' have them here (knock on wood!). Here is Home Run last year. They could be planted a bit closer for a more continuous look, but I wanted a slight space between them. Kate This post was edited by dublinbay on Mon, Jun 24, 13 at 12:37

Well, I can only tell you what I have had in my own garden, Lonicera sempervirens Magnifica. It was spectacular! Every hummingbird in the neighborhood was on it. Morning and dusk. Very big vine with a spring bloom to knock you over! It had aphids all over it in the spring. Then someone on this forum suggested that spraying not only in spring, but in fall also would help. It did, and the next spring I didn't have quite so many aphids. But you will get them. Just spray it. Pick the brightest in color of the 3 you have listed and go with that, hummers are attracted to the color red and orange. Good Luck!