Mix It Up

Mix-and-match combos of colorful annuals can bring any landscape to life.

Published April 17, 2003

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Fiesta Aurora series coleus

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Dragon Wing Red and Silver Falls dichondra

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Fiesta Olé Frost, CELEBRETTE Hot Pink and Abunda Lavender

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Suncatcher Pink Petunias and Magilla Perilla

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Purple Majesty, Wave Misty Lilac and Wave Blue

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Tango Orange and Wizard Golden

Combination plantings are all the rage.

From backyards to golf courses to busy metropolitan medians, the real attention-grabbing landscapes and containers are those that include an assortment of plants with different colors, textures, heights and habits. Creating a combination planting takes just a little planning and some good advice.

GETTING STARTED. Creating stunning combinations is easy. Start by determining the type of exposure the landscape or container will get. Determine if it is full sun, partial sun or shade. Then, simply choose plants of different heights and colors that work well for that light level to design your combination. Tall varieties make amazing backdrops or centerpieces. Add some colorful mid-height varieties or low-growing plants in the front, and you’ve created a breath-taking display that will satisfy even your fussiest customers.

Here are some ideas to get you started.

Sun (Six hours of direct sunlight per day)

  • Try tall, striking Purple Majesty ornamental millet with Wave Misty Lilac and Wave Blue spreading petunias for a cool color combination. It’s easy to change the look of the combination by using warm-toned varieties like Wave Pink, Rose or Cherry instead of Blue and Misty Lilac. If you’re still in the mood for purple, try Purple Knight alternanthera or Purple Lady iresine – both are available in economical packs that provide a low-cost alternative for colorful foliage varieties.

  • Suncatcher Pink trailing petunias and Magilla perilla make a huge impact when planted in a large bed. Substitute other Suncatcher colors like White or Pink Vein for even more eye-catching contrast. Magilla perilla has showy, coleus-like foliage that displays hot pink, green and deep plum shades.

    • Partial Sun/Partial Shade (morning or late afternoon sun)
  • Big, beautiful Dragon Wing Red begonias and trailing Silver Falls dichondra make a big statement in partial sun. This combination will work in shaded gardens as well. Silver Falls is also available in packs, which allows you to get the most “bang for your buck.”

  • Aurora Chocomint coleus and Fiesta Purple Piñata and Fiesta Apple Blossom double impatiens make a cool, soothing mixture.  Both the Aurora and the Fiesta series come in a range of colors. Try a variation like Aurora Red Velvet, Fiesta Salsa Red and Fiesta White.

    • Shade (dappled light, no direct sun)

  • Tango Orange New Guinea impatiens and Wizard Golden coleus really sparkle in shaded landscapes. Wizard coleus comes in lots of colors and patterns. You can choose any of them to create the look you want.

  • Fiesta double impatiens look gorgeous in full shade, too. Try mixing Fiesta Olé Frost, CELEBRETTE Hot Pink New Guinea impatiens, and Abunda Lavender bacopa to make an interesting mix of colors, textures and habits. The trailing bacopa really looks lovely cascading down the side of a container. Again, you can substitute any colors you want to get the desired result.

    BE CREATIVE. The only limits to combination plantings are in your imagination. You can create patriotic combinations by using red, white and blue varieties, or you can create a monochromatic scheme by using various shades of one color. You can plant in-ground beds, large containers or hanging baskets.  Combinations offer a tremendous amount of flexibility and allow landscape professionals to accommodate a variety of customer preferences with one planting.

    This article was provided by Ball Horticultural Company, an internationally renowned breeder, producer and wholesale distributor of ornamental plants.

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