Re: pleasing perennial combinations?



Beth Hough wrote:

> I'm starting a new, very large perennial garden this spring  - zone 5,
> central Michigan. Portions are full-sun, others part-sun. I'm looking for
> recommendations of pleasing perennial combinations - what have you planted
> together that looked great? Am especially interested in plants that can be
> started from seed, given the large area I'm working with.
>    (soil is definitely sandy on the surface, but there may be clay
> underneath, as we have some pockets of standing water).
> Beth - zone 5

Dear Beth,

What colors are you looking for?
One of my favorite color combinations in  garden in deep plumy-reds and
purples (primarily foliage) mixed with chartreuse and orange.  Plants that
I've used together to create this combination are:

Shrubs-  Prunus cistena, Sambucus 'Guincho Purple', Berberis 'Bagatelle', B.
thunbergii Royal Cloak, or any other red Barberry.  Lonicera nitidia
'Baggesen's Gold, Hypericum inodorum Summergold'
Perennials --  Heuchera 'Ruby Veil', Euphorbia amygdaloides 'Purpurea',
Hemerocallis 'Black Cherry', Lysimachia nummularia 'Aurea', Crocosmia 'Venus',
Sedum alboroseum 'Medio-Variegatum', Verbascum chaxii, Corydalis lutea,
Euphorbia dulcis 'Chameleon', Aquilegia 'Woodside Blue' Semiaquilegia
eclarata, Filiependula ulmaria 'Aurea', Alchemilla mollis, Carex 'Ogon',
Primula veris, many other Hemerocallis, Lilium, Ajuga, etc...
Bulbs that are fantastic with the above are Tulipa 'Purple Prince', T. 'Juan',
T. Dauydream, T. 'Princess Irene',  Allium 'Purple Sensation', and the list
could go on and on..

If you're interested in another of my absolute favorites, (Blue and Soft
Yellow) use Caryopteris 'Worcester Gold' with Ruta graveolens 'Blue Mound',
Salvia 'Blue Hill, Origanum 'Norton's Gold', Verbascum chaxii, Acorus 'Ogon',
and Adenophora polyantha.

If you want more combinations, just ask --but I'm sure that you'll get a lot
of response to this question.  Have fun -- there's nothing more exciting than
a blank canvas.  I think, however, that you're going about this  the perfect
way. -- thinking in terms of vignettes - small areas in which you use groups
of plants that are wonderful combinations.

Rika        Willow Pond Nursery        http://www.willowpondnursery.com


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