"One of the most delightful things about a garden is the anticipation it brings."

Monday, October 5, 2009

Happy together.

I've been spending time looking at flower combinations that I liked in my garden this year. Some were intentional and some were unplanned but ended up looking really nice. I've been trying to put more thought into what I plant together and less plopping things into an open spot, but the accidental pairings often end up being my favorites. The unplanned ones usually came together by way of an annual or perennial that reseeded itself right next to another plant, almost as if it knew it would look perfect there. Other times it was just a lucky accident that something I planted nearby would end up looking even better with the new plant growing by it. When I put flowers together I try to think about when and how long they bloom, flower shapes and of course their colors. When nature puts them there those things don't come into play, it seems to be able to drop it into the perfect spot.

Dahlia 'Lucky Number' would have to be my favorite Dahlia in my garden. It seems to look good with anything near it and has been growing alongside Echinacea 'Magnus', pink Zinnias and other Dahlias. It has bloomed for months and the flowers last a long time.

Here it is with Cupid's Dart (Catananche) growing in front of it. Both of these have withstood a lot of sun and very little water this past summer.

Another of my very favorites this summer is the Variegated Wallflower (Erysimum). The way it ages from purple to a rusty pink color makes it age perfectly with the Echinaceas behind it. The pinks of the different Echinaceas age along with the Wallflowers and look so pretty together right now.

Nicotiana 'Sensation' (it seems like everything was called 'Sensation' this year) and Pink Flower Carpet Rose. Since Flower Carpet Roses have no sent, the fragrance of the Nicotiana makes up for it.

Salvia 'Black and Blue' with Aster 'Professor Kippenburg'. I love the pop of orange from the Cosmos 'Bright Lights' in the background.

Aster 'Professor Kippenburg' and Lantana.

Pink Penstemon, Lantana and Lamb's Ears (Stachys byztantina).

Many of these flower combinations have been in bloom for months, making me even happier that they are together.
Pin It

31 comments:

  1. Catherine I love the combination's of your Nicotiana 'Sensation with the pink carpet roses. Love purple and pink together.What a pretty picture the blue cupids dart makes against the pink dahlias also. And how wonderful does the pink penstemon's look against the Lamb's ear leaves. You have done a wonderful job of pairing the plants.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Wow, these are stunning combos! Isn't that just the best feeling?.. when flwoer-combos just shine! ..whether planned or unplanned ..it is such a joy to witness and experience! I love all your photos, my gosh,they are stunning!I was super drawn to the Nicotiana mixed with the carpet rose!! I have wanted to try a carpet rose, seeing them in your photos sparks me to try! Thank you for another stellar and uplifting post! I enjoy my visits here!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I love that first photo with the granddaddy long legs on it. Just beautiful. Most of the combination that I like the most in my garden are unplanned too. I guess Mother Nature is way better at garden design than I am!

    ReplyDelete
  4. I am just letting imagination runs wild a little bit... Possibly plants too know about "mirror mirror, who has the most beautiful flower in the garden" ... and they compete against one another to be the best ever..... ~bangchik

    ReplyDelete
  5. Stunning combos Catherine!! I'm the Queen of plop it in the ground..I seriously need to be dethroned!

    ReplyDelete
  6. The nicotiana and roses are wonderful! You have some good combos. I too am paying attention to what and where I place things. It is hard!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Some beautiful combinations. And happy accidents are always so exciting - although how would I know? Joking! I have them sometimes.

    ReplyDelete
  8. You are so much further ahead of me. I couldn't keep all that in my head. I am only in my third year of gardening...ever, and I am just hoping to keep similar needs plants together. Beyond that it's just sticking to a color/shade. Shapes, texture and bloom time is way beyond my grasp at this point.
    Blogs like your help me learn a lot. Thank You!

    ReplyDelete
  9. I love all of these combinations. I never think to do this... I just stick them in the ground where there's an empty spot... If Darla's the queen of "plop it in the ground" than I think I must the princess. LOL

    ReplyDelete
  10. There is something so special about Lamb's Ear- so furry and friendly- just love it next to all the colorful blooms... thanks for this post!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Nicotiana Sensation is awesome and looks so good next to the pink flower carpet rose. Have a good day.

    ReplyDelete
  12. I agree with Becca - my favorite is that beautiful nicotiana and carpet rose.
    The Lamb's ears reminds me of mama. She loved to feel the velvety leaves.
    You have some amazing combinations. Your gardens are just gorgeous Catherine.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Lots of good combos here, Catherine, planned or not. That dahlia with the spider is quite the color match too. Seems like the Professor goes well with many things. The perfect invite for a witty dinner party! :-)
    Frances

    ReplyDelete
  14. Serendipity in your garden. The combinations of plants work well. What a nice happenstance.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Catherine we just got that variegated wallflower in at work the other day. I immediately thought of you and how pretty your pictures of it are.

    ReplyDelete
  16. I have never seen the dark colored nicotiana. I thought one was only going to have white or pink ones. That color looks so great with the roses. All of your flowers look great.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Lovely plant combinations. I love the dahlia, the wallflower, and the wine-colored tobacco.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Yes, those are some great combinations. I love the color of the nicotiana. Your cupid's dart looks fuller than mine ever get. Mine tend to come up late, and then stay small. They also die after a few years. I wonder if they don't get enough drainage. Yours do look nice with the dahlia. I can see why it's your favorite.

    ReplyDelete
  19. By the way, the verbena, cleomes, and cosmos from your new header photo look awesome together, too.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Such great combinations, Catherine! My fav is the nicotiana and carpet rose...stunning!

    ReplyDelete
  21. I've known since the first time coming to see you that your combinations are nice together and the whole garden flows well. Some of it is color and some is placement. Very nicely done!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Nicotiana and the carpet rose make a sensational combo. The penstemon looks as if it has bent over to caress the soft lamb's ears!

    ReplyDelete
  23. What lovely combinations, Catherine!
    The pictures are gorgeous.

    ReplyDelete
  24. What beautifully striking combinations of flowers, colors, etc. Great photos!! (I love the happy spider, too!) ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  25. Catherine~~ Where to start? Every photo is beautiful and inspiring. Lantana, Penstemon and Lamb's Ears, the pinks...ooh, la, la... Nicotiana and Flower Carpet, yum! I know what you mean. I'm trying to be more cognizant of plant combos, also. Fortunately there is still serendipity.

    ReplyDelete
  26. What wonderful combos! I really like the variegated Wallflower. I have a yellow one and it had a long bloom time, but not into October! Love the mix of blues and pinks. Another one you have that I really like is the Nicotiana. That dark purple is incredible.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Catherine I suppose we all take stock to some extent at this time of year.

    Your photos are lovely as always. Now I know this is impertinent of me but do you use automatic or manual when you take such lovely photos. I am still trying to get my head round understanding manual settings I suppose it is a winter treat for me.

    ReplyDelete
  28. Very nice combos Catherine!

    Since moving here I've had so much garden space to fill it wasn't feasible to do it all at once. More often than I care to admit I've plopped something in to an open spot. We had a nice cool summer and I took advantage of it, moving about 1/3 the plants in the garden a little at a time. I'm sure the tweaking will continue forever.

    I rarely, if ever rearrange furniture in the house, but I'm always rearranging the garden 'furniture.'

    ReplyDelete
  29. You have a lovely garden ...

    The dahlia with the spider is fabulous ...

    ReplyDelete
  30. I really like the look of your Pink Flower Carpet Rose with the Nicotiana! Very beautiful combination!

    ReplyDelete
  31. Joanne - Sorry I just realized there were new comments :) I pretty much just use auto although every so often I try other settings. I think I'll practice during the winter when I have more time.

    ReplyDelete

Thank you so much for taking the time to visit and leave a comment. I try my very best to answer any questions you may have, but usually don't have time to respond to each comment. Please leave a link to your blog so I can visit you in return.