When I gaze at the vast array of flora in spring and summer gardens, my brain starts spinning, making mental notes about various plant sizes, shapes, growing habits, and colors. I can't help calculating, assessing, touching and smelling the flowers and foliage. My mind darts like that little ball in a pinball machine, touching off ideas, lighting up with infinite plant-pairing possibilities.
This most pleasurable of games really gears up in mid-May, when so many plants come into their own. My favorite pairing of the past three years or so, has been the Tiarella cordifolia (foamflower) and fern combination (left). The Tiarella has lovely ivy-esque foliage and frothy white blossoms that seems to float above the intricately patterned ferns for an effect that's tremendously pleasing. Since these plants thrive in shade, it's a great choice for under trees.
As I wander garden paths, perusing this season's offerings, I've come across a lot of dynamic duos. Here's what I've discovered:
The A's have got it going on: Amsonia hubrichtii (Blue Star--in front) and Azalea are a winning combination. I especially like the gentle baby-blue blossoms paired with a bright punch of color, like this magenta azalea, shown below:
A pop of color, like this crimson Papaver--the poppy--always catches the eye, but framing it in a field of wild geraniums (Geranium maculatum) with deep purple blooms really adds the wow factor:
Gorgeous groundcover groupings are as varied as imagination allows. Here's a marriage made in horticultural heaven (in my humble opinion): Lily-of-the-Valley (Convallaria majalis) and pachysandra terminalis. Looking down, it appears that the pachysandra is actually budding from the convallaria! The scent and dainty appearance of the bell-shaped flowers only adds to the overall charm:
Hope this inspires readers to mix and match in their own gardens. Here's an idea: for instant gratification, add bright, colorful annuals into your perennial beds. The pairing possibilities are endless!
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