GREEN WITH ENVY: Winning combinations

Plant combinations look best in odd numbered groupings - so keep numbers like one, three, five and seven in your garden plan. Personal taste and cultural background have influence on the selection of plant material. My favourite plant combinations will probably be different from yours...but this is part of the fun of gardening. Here are a few favourite plant combinations.

Best sun combination

Perennial Geranium (not to be confused with annual geranium) is one of the most resilient, long blooming and attractive perennials. They are often referred to as 'Cranesbill' because the shape of the fruit capsule resembles the bill of a crane in some species. Geranium sanguineum 'Max Frei' has deep pink flowers most of the summer and its foliage is a reddish colour in the fall. The mounding form of the Geranium blends well with another perennial called Lamium maculatum with similar form characteristics. Lamium has variegated foliage with white, pink or purple flowers depending on the variety. The colours of the foliage and flowers complement one another. Lamium and Perennial Geranium typically prefer the same conditions: sun to part sun, average soil and consistent moisture until established.

Best part sun combination

Heuchera come in a diversity of foliage colours: orange, purple and black are the most attractive. Small spring flowers, usually white or pink, rise above the foliage. Heuchera have beautiful foliage which breaks up the monotony of the typical all green planting. Heuchera 'Plum Pudding' looks great in combination with Alchemilla mollis (Lady's mantle). The plum-silver foliage of this Heuchera combines beautifully with the green scalloped foliage and dainty yellow flowers of the Alchemilla. Both perennials require consistent moisture and have similar blooming times. The foliage shape and colouring of Heuchera and Alchemilla look fabulous together even when they are not flowering.

Best shade combination

Athyrium niponicum 'Pictum' (Japanese painted fern) brightens up the darkness of a shady space with lacy silvery leaves and red stems. Plant in a few red or white flowering Astilbe with similar fern like foliage and you have a winning plant combination. Both require a rich moist soil in a shady location. Garden Astilbe flowers from mid to late summer. The Astilbe flowers are taller than the Japanese fern. The height variation of these two perennials creates an attractive combination up close and from a distance.

A gardener's best secret is to place plants with similar horticultural requirements in the nursery side by side. Imagine what the plants will look like when they mature; this will determine where they will be positioned. Typically taller perennials are in the back - but not always. Sometimes, positioning the larger perennial in between the smaller ones creates a unique effect. Experiment and have fun this season with new combinations of plants.