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.

CMK, that is interesting about eggplant liking pots. I started planting a salad garden in pots and window boxes on my back deck a few years ago. I didn't really think about eggplant though. I'll have to try it this year. I find that leaf lettuce does very well in window boxes. I also grow baby cukes in pots and let them trail down the deck railings. I've also done peppers and tomatoes in pots. I mix in a few small pots of nicotiana (not near the tomatoes...does that really cause problems?? i've heard they should not be combined) so the hummingbirds come to feed. Woodyoak, how deep are the windowboxes you use to grow carrots? And which carrots do you choose to grow in them? I've been seeing more pictures of large pots in amongst plants in the garden and I think I may try to experiment more with that. Does anyone have pictures of pots fully incorporated into their perennial/shrub borders as a focal point? Also, does everyone in wintry climates bring their pots inside in the winter? Has anyone found a type of pot that does not crack with the freeze/thaw cycles of winter?

Used to be Tide Original Scent powder and Original Scent (long gone) April Fresh Downy. Up & Up Spring Bloom softener is the closest thing to April Fresh Downy now, currently on the market. I love the combo of Persil Power/Pro Caps with Up & Up Spring Bloom. Dreft liquid with Spring Bloom smells amazing. German Ariel liquid with Downy Sun Blossom smells fresh and super clean! Tide with a touch of AF Downy detergent with Spring Bloom is a great combo!

Fun2be -- those were the everyday dishes we registered for when we got married -- 27 tears ago. The pattern has been discontinued and when we redid the kitchen I decided I was tired of it and it didn't really fit my house full of guys. I haven't used it and the boys have not interest i ever having it, plus I got my mom's china when she passed. I have to make choices, so the rosebuds are going away. Just need to decide how. Hope you had a nice brunch.