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.

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!

I have enjoyed reading about plants from other parts of the country in this thread. I've never seen most of the plants you wrote about. I hope I get to travel to them some day. My favorite native has to be Zenobia pulverulenta or dusty zenobia. When in bloom it looks like it's made of moonlight and aquamarine, gilded with opal and set with rubies and pearls. It is simply the most beautiful thing I've ever laid eyes on. My next favorite is a toss-up between Calycanthus florida for the scent and Sarracinas for the plain weirdness of the leaf and the beauty of it's bloom.

Aputernut what are the origins of your kings? They are magnificent!! DH and I took a trip to Bronner's this fall. #1 on my bucket list was a visit!! I am sooo embarrassed and feel so STUPID. I was not interested in the video of the history as I knew it and saw much on Youtube, so avoided the "Program room". I did peak in at one point and it was dark as a show was going on...The next day, an hour outside of Frankenmuth I began reading their literature. To my GREAT frustration I discovered in that dark room are cases of 150+ nativities from 50+ different countries!! I have been begging and the Bronner's Facebook page has begun posting pictures of some of them. Unfortunately they do not post as many Creche sets as they do ornaments. But they are not for sale--they are a private collection so I get it. ANYWAY I added a camel and cow to my outdoor set..and I am scouring ebay for a few more shepherds..there are some older characters out there I would love to get my hands on!! We also went to one large spot light. DH is very into cutting our wattage use DOWN. I have a star hanging on the back of the light pole, and we have enough snow to cover the blue extension cord so it is all very nice IMHO