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| This informal arrangement of cut flowers combines a variety of complementary colors and textures. |
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| This innovative combination uses contrasting textures and forms to create an eye-catching arrangement. |
Learning how to combine plants effectively can be easy if you use your knowledge of all the garden design principles mentioned here, especially color, texture, contrast, and form. Great combinations can be planned out ahead of time based on these principles, but they also can appear as pleasant surprises in the garden. Sometimes your favorite combination turns out to be something you didn’t plan for at all, something that happened through the magic of nature.
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One of the best references on how to combine perennials effectively is a book written by award winning author and garden designer Colston Burrell called Perennial Combinations—Stunning Combinations That Make Your Garden Look Fantastic Right from the Start. Click here to find out more about this book. Burrell stresses that above all, the plants you combine must share a need for the same cultural requirements (light, water, soil). His book presents an expansive, picturesque, and informative tour through combinations based on color, season of bloom, attracting nature, and more.
In our Perennial Encyclopedia, you will also find recommended companion plants for every perennial listed there. These are plants that share similar cultural requirements and combine naturally with one another. Garden centers, magazines, botanical gardens, and even your neighbor’s yard can also be great sources of inspiration. Don’t be afraid to copy the ideas you see there in your own garden. Imitation is the greatest form of flattery!
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