Flowers: Plant combos

Replies: 107 Views: 750

Author	Comment
Mr_Canthus Billingshurst United Kingdom September 09, 2009 07:51 PM	I thought it would be nice to start sharing ideas and experiences about plants that go together well, either because they look good together or because they bring each other some kind of benefit, as in companion planting. I gotta dash now but will put something on the next couple of days. If anyones got anything in the meantime? I'd love to hear.
pirl Southold, NY (Zone 7a) September 09, 2009 09:22 PM	Pamela Harper is the person most responsible for color harmony in the garden, with her book "Color Echoes". If you do a search, here on DG, for color echoes or color harmony you should see some interesting threads. View Larger
pirl Southold, NY (Zone 7a) September 09, 2009 09:24 PM	This is one of those unplanned accidents that worked out for the best. Daylilies and the dreaded weed, in my garden, Houttuynia. It's beautiful but far too invasive. View Larger
pirl Southold, NY (Zone 7a) September 09, 2009 09:25 PM	The various pinks of lilies and lupine. View Larger
pirl Southold, NY (Zone 7a) September 09, 2009 09:26 PM	Lilies, hydrangea and astilbe to the right. View Larger
pirl Southold, NY (Zone 7a) September 09, 2009 09:27 PM	Oxalis and Wandering Jew. View Larger
pirl Southold, NY (Zone 7a) September 09, 2009 09:28 PM	All green with white: Polygonatum and a grass. View Larger
pirl Southold, NY (Zone 7a) September 09, 2009 09:29 PM	White of the astilbe and in the hosta with various shades of green. View Larger
JasperDale Long Beach, CA (Zone 10a) September 09, 2009 10:16 PM	pirl has color and plant combo's down to an exact science...as you can see !!! Bravo !
flowerjen central, NJ (Zone 6b) September 10, 2009 12:37 AM	Beautiful, Pirl!
pirl Southold, NY (Zone 7a) September 10, 2009 06:41 AM	Thanks!
pirl Southold, NY (Zone 7a) September 10, 2009 07:42 AM	I loved this combo I saw at a nursery: View Larger
pirl Southold, NY (Zone 7a) September 10, 2009 07:43 AM	The edge of this sedum is a nice match for azalea Hilda Niblett. View Larger
pirl Southold, NY (Zone 7a) September 10, 2009 07:45 AM	This larkspur planted itself here and so did the lychnis. View Larger
dathen W of Cleveland, OH (Zone 5a) September 10, 2009 06:59 PM	Pirl - those are absolutely lovely!!!
pirl Southold, NY (Zone 7a) September 10, 2009 07:29 PM	Thanks, dathen. This Japanese iris goes well with the self-seeded annuals at the bottom left. View Larger
flowerjen central, NJ (Zone 6b) September 11, 2009 01:06 AM	One of my favorite combos is in my little wagon planter on my deck. View Larger
flowerjen central, NJ (Zone 6b) September 11, 2009 01:10 AM	unexpected mix in my wildflower garden View Larger
Mr_Canthus Billingshurst United Kingdom September 11, 2009 06:20 PM	Many thanks indeed for all those ideas Pirl. I like the concept of echoes.... one plant picking up the colour of the other. Purple foliage always works well for me . Seems to compliment everything. Here in Cotinus 'Royal Purple' with Aster x frikartii 'Monch'. This one current here in S E England. Perhaps we could keep this thread going and keeping it topical. Share them all whether happy accidents, careful selections or just things in nature as they happen. Just a thought. I'm gonna try. View Larger
pirl Southold, NY (Zone 7a) September 11, 2009 06:29 PM	Mr. C - I'm a big fan of purple as well. How about a photo to show us your combination?
Mr_Canthus Billingshurst United Kingdom September 11, 2009 06:30 PM	Xcept I Need to learn how to post a pic properly View Larger
pirl Southold, NY (Zone 7a) September 11, 2009 06:32 PM	Ha!
Mr_Canthus Billingshurst United Kingdom September 11, 2009 06:45 PM	I have posted pics on here before but this time its not happening. Really irritating when computers don't do what you want them too. Never mind I'll sort it.
pirl Southold, NY (Zone 7a) September 11, 2009 07:30 PM	Good luck. We'll be patiently waiting.
JasperDale Long Beach, CA (Zone 10a) September 11, 2009 07:48 PM	Mr. C: Don't feel bad about the picture posting thing...it took me over a year to figure out how to do it !
Mr_Canthus Billingshurst United Kingdom September 12, 2009 09:35 AM	Its really irritating. Tried to post that pic so many times and its not worked. Have posted pics before but this is the first time under my new user name ( changed it from Jonnieboy cos it made me feel silly). I go to brouse, it brings up the pics on my computer, I select the one I want and it says something about dcuments and settings in the box next to brouse ( it always did that before so I'm guessing thats good). Then I go to preview and I get the statement about it being a thumbnail image but there is no image. Anybody got any idea what I'm doing wrong. I've tried all the same on my laptop too but the same thing happens ( or doesn't happen) . I've reported it a couple of times to DG 'Contact Us' but got no reply as yet. I'm going out in the garden cos its nicer than sitting here, but hopefully there will come a day when I can share pics on DG again. View Larger
pirl Southold, NY (Zone 7a) September 12, 2009 09:55 AM	Maybe someone on the Camera Forum could help you. Could you try re-sizing the photo and trying to post it again?
JasperDale Long Beach, CA (Zone 10a) September 12, 2009 11:11 AM	That's exactly the same problem I had posting photos for so long. Unfortunately, I don't remember how the issue got resolved. My 16 year old niece came over and fixed the problem for me...don't know what she did, and wouldn't understand it anyway, as I am not the least bit computer literate. Find a teenager who knows computers !
Mr_Canthus Billingshurst United Kingdom September 12, 2009 02:46 PM	Thanks for the suggestions. Trouble is I'd already made the pic just a fraction of its original size, and because it happens both on my pc and my apple mac laptop, I can't imagine that its do with my computer. Its either me being daft ( quite likely indeed ) or some thing to do with the website which is only affecting me. Both my sons are now in their early 20s. They probably could have helped a few years ago but now they seem to have lost their magic powers
Mr_Canthus Billingshurst United Kingdom September 12, 2009 06:31 PM	Trying again View Larger
Mr_Canthus Billingshurst United Kingdom September 12, 2009 06:46 PM	And again from a different computer View Larger
pirl Southold, NY (Zone 7a) September 12, 2009 07:03 PM	You must be so frustrated!
pirl Southold, NY (Zone 7a) September 13, 2009 08:26 AM	Another happy accident - yellow Asiatic lilies and 'Sing the Blues', Japanese iris. View Larger
dathen W of Cleveland, OH (Zone 5a) September 13, 2009 10:20 AM	That's really nice, Pirl. Flowerjen - I love those colors together. I think maybe purple/lavender/blue with yellow has to be one of my favorites.
pirl Southold, NY (Zone 7a) September 13, 2009 10:37 AM	One of the nicest plants to use with the Color Echoes theory is lantana. I'll try to get a photo today.
Mr_Canthus Billingshurst United Kingdom September 13, 2009 06:03 PM	Yes the lilies and Iris are great, especially because of the bit of yellow in the Iris. One of the important things I suppose is whether the combo is sustainable, ie the the plants can live and grow together. Except with summer bedding plants when they only need to last a season. Looking forward to the Lantana pic if you can Pirl. Oh by the way! my photo posting problem does appear to be a weird glitsch at DGs end but they've been really helpful and are on the case so hopefully I too will be able to send something soon.
pirl Southold, NY (Zone 7a) September 13, 2009 06:14 PM	I did take the photo, Mr. C, but it was too bright out so the lantana can't be noticed very much: View Larger
seray53 Richmond Hill, GA September 13, 2009 06:22 PM	Wonderful combinations! This is a theme I worked on this summer with foliage plants. Learning experience mostly. Happy accidents are good though. Here's one of mine. View Larger
Mr_Canthus Billingshurst United Kingdom September 14, 2009 06:44 PM	I can see what you mean though Pirl. The Lantana is like the Solenostemon ( Coleus) in reverse. Looks really good. Seray 53. What is that plant with the blue/white flowers. I don't think I've ever seen one of those before.
Mr_Canthus Billingshurst United Kingdom September 14, 2009 07:00 PM	Yayyyyy!. I think I'm sending a pic at last. This is the Aster and Cotinus I mentioned all those days ago. No stopping me now but its time to sleep so stop I will. View Larger
smileymom343 Kenmore, NY (Zone 6a) September 14, 2009 07:07 PM	I have no plant combo pictures to share, but helped re-design a label for one of our products at work. I suggested orange and blue for the label colors based on a planting color guide. It looks really nice! Especially love the purple/yellow combos posted above also. Everyone's color combo's look very nice!
pirl Southold, NY (Zone 7a) September 14, 2009 08:12 PM	Hurray, Mr. C! We were all rooting for you. Lovely combination as they bring out the best in each other.
seray53 Richmond Hill, GA September 14, 2009 08:26 PM	Love the purples Mr. C. Looking forward to more pics. The blue and white are lisianthus. Balboa blue rim. Pirl I love all your combos. Even your weeds ( Houttuynia) look good. LOL
Mr_Canthus Billingshurst United Kingdom September 15, 2009 06:23 PM	Thanks Pirl. Problem was, I had a space in my user name. Who would have thought it would cause all that trouble. Anyway, sorted now. What hardiness zone are you Seray 53. I'm in 8b but I don't think I can grow Lisianthus. I've only heard about them when talking to florists. This is the same Cotinus plant with Solidago behind it. I cut the Cotinus back to the ground each spring to keep it in scale with the perennials. View Larger
seray53 Richmond Hill, GA September 15, 2009 06:34 PM	I'm in 9a. I think you could grow them. They are annuals and the seeds are tiny. I bought the plants but have collected a few seeds. I hear they are hard to germinate. We'll see :) They have bloomed all season and I believe you could take cuttings and carry them over. I'll entice you to try with another picture. :) View Larger
pirl Southold, NY (Zone 7a) September 15, 2009 07:43 PM	I love lisianthus. Never saw any I didn't like. At what time do they bloom for you? June, July? Saw a few very nice cotinus in May. Now I see I should have bought one.
seray53 Richmond Hill, GA September 15, 2009 09:14 PM	Hi Pril June - Sept. They are still blooming but fading now. When you cut the stalks they will come back with new plants at the roots. I'll try to run these through the winter. They do need some staking as the season progresses. That's what's nice about seeing all your combos. I can see what I have that would work. What I might need to make it work. Why mine doesn't work. LOL Always both inspirational and challenging.
pirl Southold, NY (Zone 7a) September 15, 2009 09:20 PM	Seems they'd be ideal with many Japanese irises, my favorite of all plants. View Larger
seray53 Richmond Hill, GA September 15, 2009 09:55 PM	Ohhhh! How pretty. I think they would look splendid. I have one Japanese Iris. Small hasn't bloomed. Queen's Tiara I want them all. LOL
pirl Southold, NY (Zone 7a) September 16, 2009 03:50 AM	You just might enjoy my thread on Japanese irises from earlier this year: http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/1007584/
Mr_Canthus Billingshurst United Kingdom September 16, 2009 07:31 PM	Those Lisianthus are amasing. Not only the flowers but the unopened buds too. There is a garden near me with a bed approx 10 yards by 10 yards planted with nothing but Japanese iris. It has a boardwalk through it and is astonishing when in full flower. I must try and get a picture next year. Continuing the Cotinus theme. This is young plants of C. 'Grace' with English marigolds seen recently in a garden elsewhere. View Larger
Mr_Canthus Billingshurst United Kingdom September 17, 2009 06:53 PM	I was always told not to mix pink and orange but with Kniphofia caulescens the orange is a bit pink. Fuzzy rust coloured bits of Stipa arundinacea lie over the Sedum. Far too scruffy but I like it View Larger
Mr_Canthus Billingshurst United Kingdom September 17, 2009 07:11 PM	Pirl. I just followed your Iris thread and am in awe. Such knowledge and passion for that group of plants. The Astilbe connection I particularly like. Would Hosta's go well too? Associating well with their leaves. I don't think my soil is damp enough to do well with all those things, but I will try some Japanese Irises next year. The garden I refererred to in England is the famous Wakehurst Place in Sussex. It has a feast of Japanese Irises if you ever get a chance to see.
pirl Southold, NY (Zone 7a) September 17, 2009 08:16 PM	Thanks. I'll have to write Wakehurst Palace down on my list of things I must do. I guess hosta would go fine with the JI's but when the JI's are happy growing in an area I just add more and seldom want other plants except for the ever expanding astilbes. Tomorrow I'll be lifting hosta to add more JI's to one more area. I just have to leave room for a few dahlias for fall. They're so lovely at this time of year. I'm a fan of pink and orange - just think of Echinacea! View Larger
DaleTheGardener Tampa, FL (Zone 10a) September 17, 2009 08:22 PM	Lucky accidents are my best chance. View Larger
DaleTheGardener Tampa, FL (Zone 10a) September 17, 2009 08:24 PM	I take photos of plants in public places for ideas. View Larger
pirl Southold, NY (Zone 7a) September 17, 2009 08:29 PM	That last one is super stunning, Dale. I do the same thing. That camera is always with me.
JasperDale Long Beach, CA (Zone 10a) September 17, 2009 08:36 PM	Dale: What is the purple plant in the photo two frames up ?
DaleTheGardener Tampa, FL (Zone 10a) September 17, 2009 08:49 PM	Jasper, Purple? Pentas. (I call it lavender) View Larger
JasperDale Long Beach, CA (Zone 10a) September 17, 2009 08:51 PM	sorry...I meant the post at 5:24 p.m. above pirls post.
pirl Southold, NY (Zone 7a) September 17, 2009 08:52 PM	JD - the one to the right of the Pentas, at the bottom right?
DaleTheGardener Tampa, FL (Zone 10a) September 17, 2009 09:03 PM	The photo with the variegated grass, bottom left of photo, small flowers in a cluster is Oregano in bloom. Foxglove> View Larger
JasperDale Long Beach, CA (Zone 10a) September 17, 2009 09:25 PM	That's the one ! Thanks !
Mr_Canthus Billingshurst United Kingdom September 18, 2009 07:31 PM	Some wonderful pictures there Dale. Really enjoying seeing all those plants being busy with each other. Some things always go well with grasses and Oregano is one of them. It grows wild all over the chalk hills here but I like those deep red/purple varieties.
Mr_Canthus Billingshurst United Kingdom September 18, 2009 07:43 PM	Pink and orange. Pink and yellow. Nature doesn't care either. At least not in this Californian Erigeron on the shingle beach in Southern England View Larger
pirl Southold, NY (Zone 7a) September 18, 2009 07:51 PM	OK, I'll bite - why is it called the shingle beach?
Mr_Canthus Billingshurst United Kingdom September 18, 2009 08:37 PM	We don't have sand down here on the SE coast. Just stones that we call shingle. Fraid it wouldn't suit Japanese Irises though. They're a bit more special.
pirl Southold, NY (Zone 7a) September 18, 2009 09:08 PM	Thanks. We have some fairly stony beaches out here on Long Island, jutting out into the Atlantic. Our town was named for settlers from Southwold, a few hours northeast of you.
Jim41 Delhi, LA September 18, 2009 10:23 PM	Hi Pirl, saw your name on the thread and had to see what you guys were up to. I love all the combinations. Pulled up a few out of our yard to see what you think. View Larger
Jim41 Delhi, LA September 18, 2009 10:25 PM	Another. View Larger
Jim41 Delhi, LA September 18, 2009 10:28 PM	A third combination. View Larger
Jim41 Delhi, LA September 18, 2009 10:30 PM	The last one. View Larger
Jim41 Delhi, LA September 18, 2009 10:34 PM	Please ignore the 2007 dates. The camera had a mind of it's own. All pictures are 2009.
DaleTheGardener Tampa, FL (Zone 10a) September 19, 2009 04:40 AM	Jim, The coreopsis and blue salvia is a nice combo. Saw this combo at a motel in Ft Bragg, CA. I never did find out what the golden foliage plant in the foreground is. The purple flowers mixed with it is a verbena> View Larger
DaleTheGardener Tampa, FL (Zone 10a) September 19, 2009 04:41 AM	Same motel> View Larger
DaleTheGardener Tampa, FL (Zone 10a) September 19, 2009 04:43 AM	Motel again. View Larger
DaleTheGardener Tampa, FL (Zone 10a) September 19, 2009 04:47 AM	Guess where. View Larger
DaleTheGardener Tampa, FL (Zone 10a) September 19, 2009 04:50 AM	The have an excellent Botanical Garden in Ft Bragg also> View Larger
DaleTheGardener Tampa, FL (Zone 10a) September 19, 2009 04:52 AM	Ft Bragg's Bot Garden had the nicest Heather Garden View Larger
DaleTheGardener Tampa, FL (Zone 10a) September 19, 2009 04:57 AM	CA had some of the best stocked nurseries I have seen. View Larger
DaleTheGardener Tampa, FL (Zone 10a) September 19, 2009 05:00 AM	Those folks have a nice plant selection to choose from> View Larger
pirl Southold, NY (Zone 7a) September 19, 2009 06:02 AM	Hi Jim! Your photos are lovely. I see you like contrasting colors and they're all wonderful. Dale - wonderful photos as always. I love the one with the red (Phormium?) and the very next one with the Hakone grass and purple flowers. I like the flat grasses (like Hakone) much more than the huge tall clumps that are seldom done well. Looks like that motel owner loves his property and takes good care of it. Nice to see.
Jim41 Delhi, LA September 19, 2009 11:34 AM	I can't take credit Pirl. Jo does the deciding about what to plant. I'll think this is gonna look like crap and then it will bloom and be beautiful. Don't know if she's lucky or good. Maybe a combination of both. Loved your photos. Us old folks still got something on the ball.
pirl Southold, NY (Zone 7a) September 19, 2009 03:05 PM	When in doubt credit Jo's talent. Yes, we geezers do have fun!
DaleTheGardener Tampa, FL (Zone 10a) September 19, 2009 03:54 PM	I am not old....I am just enjoying my fossil status. View Larger
Mr_Canthus Billingshurst United Kingdom September 19, 2009 04:48 PM	More wonderful pictures. Thanks for sharing. I like contrasts too. They're sort of child-like I think. The blue Salvias and yellow daisies ( Coreopsis possibly?) in one of your photos Jim is great. Credit to the Mrs I guess. The motel is amasing.Perhaps you can let me know what the purple flowers are in the 'guess where' pic and the the ones in front of the Heleniums? in the one below.
DaleTheGardener Tampa, FL (Zone 10a) September 19, 2009 05:17 PM	'Guess where' plant is Salvia leucantha http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/1837/ With helenium, small bell flowers is Abutilon megapotamicum http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/64127/ View Larger
Mr_Canthus Billingshurst United Kingdom September 19, 2009 06:11 PM	Thanks for that Dale. I've seen that Abutilon trained over arches and things but I guess in that picture its trailing over the ground? This is a pic I took just the other day behind the building where I work. Keeps the blue and yellow and Hakon grass theme going. View Larger
DaleTheGardener Tampa, FL (Zone 10a) September 19, 2009 06:23 PM	Those are the largest, healthiest Liriope flowers I have ever seen. Blue, gold and green is a great combo. View Larger
Mr_Canthus Billingshurst United Kingdom September 19, 2009 06:44 PM	What is going on there. Is it some sort of Verbena creeping through golden marjorum? Looks great anyway and I love it when plants intermingle like that. This ones nice and simple for Spring cheer. Muscari at the other end of the name and the other end of the season. View Larger
Jim41 Delhi, LA September 19, 2009 07:28 PM	Got to remember that fossil status statement, Dale. That's a good one.
JasperDale Long Beach, CA (Zone 10a) September 20, 2009 12:34 AM	I agree. Got to start using that one !
DaleTheGardener Tampa, FL (Zone 10a) September 20, 2009 06:07 AM	I have seen bright blue and yellow many times, this photo is from 1990 at Floriade in Holland> View Larger
Mr_Canthus Billingshurst United Kingdom September 20, 2009 06:37 PM	I guess you're referring to the Muscari statement but what's 'fossil status'. Is that American for 'sounds a bit cheesey but I'm going to say it anyway'. This here is the most reliable blue and yellow we have in England. But its a good cottagey look. View Larger
pirl Southold, NY (Zone 7a) September 20, 2009 07:04 PM	Love that look, Mr. C. The "fossil" reference was made in reference to age.
DaleTheGardener Tampa, FL (Zone 10a) September 20, 2009 09:03 PM	Fossil - set in my ways. We have a very hard time making a respectable cottage garden here. Our plant palette is very limited. Most tropicals tend to get very large or are very small. We can make a passable attempt with our winter plants. View Larger
pirl Southold, NY (Zone 7a) September 20, 2009 09:18 PM	Lovely, Dale.
JasperDale Long Beach, CA (Zone 10a) September 20, 2009 09:35 PM	ditto !
DaleTheGardener Tampa, FL (Zone 10a) September 21, 2009 05:19 AM	Gardening is plesant work. View Larger
pirl Southold, NY (Zone 7a) September 21, 2009 05:51 AM	1. When you clean a house it starts to get dusty and dirty immediately. 2. If you stay in the garden you can't make a mess of the house. I'll take gardening over housework any time. It's so much more rewarding.
JasperDale Long Beach, CA (Zone 10a) September 21, 2009 12:08 PM	AMEN to THAT !
Mr_Canthus Billingshurst United Kingdom September 21, 2009 06:02 PM	I'm not good with housework either. Just get in the way. Much better out in the garden and less grumpy. I love the prairie daisies and Salvia ( I think) picture but is that really in Northern hemisphere winter Dale? Back to English early summer perennials. This for moister soil View Larger
DaleTheGardener Tampa, FL (Zone 10a) September 22, 2009 07:17 AM	Mr Canthus, The photo is from 3 weeks ago in Northern California. This one too> View Larger
Mr_Canthus Billingshurst United Kingdom September 22, 2009 06:17 PM	That could almost be here in England Dale. Fuchsias and Pelargoniums two ever-popular plants and the weatther has stayed fine enough to keep them going well. Brazilian verbena has become popular more recently and haven't heard of anyone getting upset with it yet. Most of the colour in my garden now comes from that and this Helianthus which I love. I think our climate is equivalent to hardiness zone 8b. View Larger
Mr_Canthus Billingshurst United Kingdom September 24, 2009 06:32 PM	Thanks Pirl, Jasperdale, Dale , Smileymom, Flowerjen, Dathen, Seray and Jim for sharing your thoughts experiences and knowledge on this thread. I'm a long time gardener but a very short time daves gardener and I really value the world wide network of gardening friends that DG is. Seems like its one of the really good things thats happeming in the world. I look forward to sharing other stuff with you somewhere else in the garden. Best regards, Mr C
pirl Southold, NY (Zone 7a) September 24, 2009 08:08 PM	Nice meeting you, Mr. C.
seray53 Richmond Hill, GA September 24, 2009 09:21 PM	Enjoyed your photos very much! Don't be a stranger Mr. C.
JasperDale Long Beach, CA (Zone 10a) September 24, 2009 09:36 PM	Yes...keep posting those pictures !

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