Spring Combinations II

Delicate peach Iris
turns dramatic when paired with
bright blue perennial Salvia.

Effective combinations bring out the best in plants.

Here are a few
that caught my eye around town
earlier this spring....

Photo taken at Hershey Gardens

Blue Star (Amsonia hubrichtii) and yellow Iris

emphasize deep purple spikes of

Caradonna Meadow Sage (Salvia nemorosa 'Caradonna'),

Evening Primrose (Oenothera speciosa) and Blue Flax (Linun lewisii) 

create cool waves of color.

This casual bank covering seems like

a good spot for the drought tolerant

Evening Primrose, which can spread aggressively.

Red poppies (Papaver) and

Blue Cornflower (Centaurea cyanus)

make a free and easy duo.

A pretty pink and blue palette:

Perennial Salvia (Salvia 'May Night' - middle right)

Catmint (Nepeta racemosa - bottom left)

Blue False Indigo (Baptisia australis - top right corner)

Coralbells (Heuchera - center)

Deep pink Knockout roses (top)

Pale pink carpet roses (middle left)

See more spring combinations here.

Gaura and Grasses

Gaura may not be spectacular on its own,

but paired with grasses,

and it fairly shines in the fall. 

One sunny October day, 

these gentle star like blooms

cradled in feathery grasses

caught my attention as I drove by. 

Fountain Grass (Pennisetum alopecuroides)

does a good job of supporting

Gaura's (Gaura lindheimeri) sprawling stems,

its soft fronds contrasting

the bright blossoms. 

Gaura is hardy in zones 6 - 9, 

 but doesn't always winter reliably. 

Requiring good drainage,

it tolerates some drought.

Gaura likes sun or partial shade.

It will reseed if spent blooms are left on the plants.

Gaura has a long bloom time,

from late spring to fall.

Though I pass this garden a couple of times a week,

I didn't notice it until the fall, when

other flowers faded, making way for

Gaura to move into the spotlight.

Purple Fountain Grass (Pennisetum setaceum 'Rubrum') and

Maiden Grass (Miscanthus sinensis),

shimmer in autumn light and

complete the scene.

Glorious Grasses at Hershey Gardens

 Grasses and Chrysanthemums
brought the annual beds at
Hershey Gardens
into fine fall form 
when I visited in early October.

 Graceful Purple Fountain Grass (Pennisetum setaceum 'Rubrum') 

starts blooming in July,
but is right at home in the fall garden.

Hardy in zones 9 and 10,

it's grown as an annual here in Pennsylvania.
Like a chameleon, it seems to
adjust to any color scheme.

Purple Fountain Grass hues
blend beautifully with
Tropicanna Canna Lily, while its
feathery form provides great contrast. 

Sky Rocket Fountain Grass (Pennisetum setaceum 'Sky Rocket') is an

interesting variegated variety for a lighter look.

Beginning coppery red blooms of
Morning Light Japanese Silver Grass (Miscanthus sinensis 'Morning Light') 
have a kind of a funky spiky flair.
They'll mature into silvery white plumes.
See how this grass is woven into the
rhythm of the gardens here.

Popcorn Plant (Cassia didymobotrya)

not only has an intriguing look,

but enticing aromas as well. 

Its foliage smells like popcorn
when rubbed or moved (truly!).

I love this juxtaposition of

Blue Mist Spirea (Caryopteris x clandonensis) against

complementary orange mums.

I featured it last year with

Chrysanthemum combinations here .

I was surprised to see Spiderwort (Tradescantia bracteata) flowering. 

Cutting it back after the spring bloom

can encourage this second bloom.

 

Containers were full to overflowing -
early fall's abundance is bittersweet, with
winter waiting just around the corner. 

See more of Hershey Gardens early fall beauty here.

Stunning Salvias at Hershey Gardens

The annual beds of Hershey Gardens were

in their glory at the beginning of October.
We had a beautiful, blustery day to
wind our way through the still colorful gardens.
The blooming grasses added their dynamic dimension, 
but they'll have to wait for another post.

For now I'll focus on annuals, and
give Salvias first billing
as the major stars of the show for me.

Salvia 'Mystic Spires Blue' was in gorgeous bloom. 

Hardy to zone 7, it's grown as an annual here in zone 6.

Hot pink Wendy's Wish Sage (Salvia 'Wendy's Wish' - hardy to zone 9)
brings up the rear with dramatic color.
A new variety, I read that part of its
proceeds go to the
Make-A-Wish Foundation.

The casual tangle of
pink Globe Amaranth (Gomphrena globosa)
provides a nice contrast to the vibrant spikes. 

 

Deep Purple Sage
(middle left - Salvia splendens 'Vista Purple' - tender perennial zones 11a-12b) 
and Wax Begonias
weave waves of color into this
pink and blue tapestry.

The Hershey Chocolate Factory is visible to the right in the background. 
The historic property, where the chocolate company began, has recently been sold, its operations to be relocated to a modern plant. 
The iconic symbol in the heart of town will be missed. 

Black and Blue Salvia (Salvia gauranitica 'Black and Blue' - hardy to zone 8),
is another striking member of the family.
Its electric blue color is set off by black stems and calyces 

 

I was taken by the dramatic

Cock's Comb Flamingo (Celosia spicata),

a new annual to me. 

A bit gangly in form,it looks suited to the
rear of a bed with fronting plants providing a "skirt".

 

Mexican Bush Sage

(left foreground - Salvia leucantha 'Cislano' - hardy to zone 8),

is a luscious rich pink-purple color

with a kind of free wheeling habit.

It's easy to see why it's also called Velvet Sage.

I've always loved annual Salvia and am determined to

branch out and try some of these varieties.

Enjoy these glorious the days of early fall,

full of color and life.

Late Summer Combinations III

I'll finish out late summer combinations 
with a few more picks, 

seen around town in late August.

Late blooming Hosta (Hosta plantaginea)

fly high above Autumn Joy Sedum (Sedum 'Autumn Joy'),

just starting to gain a rosy glow.

Two of my favorite late summer perennials:

• The electric blue flowers of Dwarf Plumbago (Ceratostigma plumbaginoides - front)
• A late blooming variety of Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia fulgida var. fulgida).

Combined with waning blooms of

Blue Fortune Hyssop (Agastache 'Blue Fortune') and

Lilyturf (Lirope muscari - a few small spikes peeking through in the top right corner),

they make a sunny corner of color.

Garlic Chives (Allium tuberosum) and 

annual Nasturtium are a

treat for the eyes as well as the stomache -

both are edible.

Check out these recipes for

Nasturtium Soup and Nasturtium Risotto.

Garlic Chive (Allium tuberosum) bloom



Graceful plumes of Fountain Grass (Pennisetum alopecuroides - left)

add flair to any grouping in late summer. 

It's taking over for the fading flowers of

white Garden Phlox (Phlox paniculata - middle left) and a

dwarf Hydrangea (right), while

Autumn Joy Sedum is just starting its show (middle right).

Fountain grass (Pennisetum alopecuroides)

shouts out from a

sea of purple Verbena.

Autumn Joy Sedum (Sedum 'Autumn Joy'),

still neutral in late August,

creates a muted palette with

Maiden Grass (Miscanthus sinensis) and

Blue Fescue (Festuca glauca).

Purple Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum var.) and the

blue flower spikes of Lilyturf (Lirope muscari)

make a striking pair.

For more great plant combinations, see: 

Late Summer Combinations I

and Late Summer Combinations II.

Combinations for Late Summer - II

Fall has come, but my heart hasn't caught up yet.

These photos from early September highlight

some great late summer plant combinations.

Hot pink Cleome blooms

burst like fireworks over

Purple Haze Hyssop (Agastache 'Purple Haze'), above. 

Purple Fountain Grass (Pennisetum setaeeum 'Rubrum')

joins in to create a winning trio.

Reblooming Stella D'Oro Daylilies (Hemerocallis 'Stella D'Oro), annual Salvia, Blackeyed Susans (Rudbeckia fulgida 'Goldsturm') and Blue Fescue (Fescue glauca) make a bright group.

For a more subtle palette, combine

pale blue Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia 'Small Spire)

a white variety of Purple Coneflower (perhaps Echinacea purpurea 'White Natalie'), 

the still green flower buds of Autumn Joy Sedum (Sedum 'Autumn Joy') and

Blue Star (Amsonia ciliata) foliage beginning the change to autumn yellow.

A blue Butterfly bush (perhaps Buddleia Blue Chip Lo and Behold)

looks great with

Sedum Autumn Joy (foreground and rear right),

a purple leaved Ninebark (foreground - Physocarpus opulifolius variety), and

Purple Coneflower (back middle - Echinacea purpurea).

Still neutral here, Autumn Joy Sedum's
rosy blooms steal the show come fall. 

See more great Autumn Joy Sedum combinations here.

For more late summer combinations, see: 
Combinations for Late Summer I
Combinations for Late Summer III
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Combinations for Late Summer - I

Late summer can be a bit sparse in the garden. 

Many perennials are past their prime and

annuals may be losing steam.

I've found some places around town that are

still going strong with great late summer combinations.

The terraced front garden above is a good example.

Nicely planted with a succession of blooms,

it's pretty all season long.

Take a look at what was happening there in late August.

Pale pink Phlox (Phlox paniculata) fills in as

Purple Loosestrife, front, (Lythrum salicaria) begins to wane.  

Vivid red Feather Celiosa (Celosia argentea - Plumosa group) and

yellow Blackeyed Susan (Rudbeckia fulgida 'Goldsturm') 

add a punch of color.

UPDATE:
Thanks to Pam's English Cottage Garden
for pointing out that
Purple Loosestrife as a very invasive plant which is banned in many states. 
Read about it here and here.

I hadn't used or seen Purple Loosestrife in many years,
but have seen it several places this summer, looking so innocent and pretty. 
Unfortunately, I used an outdated reference book for this post!
Yes, I have newer books, but turned to an old favorite.... lesson learned!

Cleome comes into its own at this time of year,

billowing gracefully behind

Purple Loosestrife and Purple Oxalis.

Pink Knockout Roses and

purple Sweet Potato Vine

complete the scene.

More late summer combinations see:
Combinations For Late Summer II
Late Summer Combinations III