Fun Plant Combos to Try

Garden inspirations from the members of National Garden Bureau.

Fun Combination Planter Ideas

Combining different varieties or species in one container or garden bed is certainly not new but almost everyone could use a few new ideas to spark their creativity. So National Garden Bureau has perused our members' new variety submissions, including recent AAS Winners to come up with some possible combinations you might want to try. For simplicity sake, we are only suggesting planting pairs but feel free to add a third of fourth variety, depending on the size of your planter or planting area and of course, your own personal taste.

Many great container designers suggest a thriller element for the container, meaning something tall, bold and/or dramatic. If you like the look of a softened planter edge, then by all means, add some sort of vining element if the combinations below do not offer a vining/cascading plant. Additionally, adding foliage plants to a combination planter can add texture and additional color variations.

Just experiment and have fun with your own combinations--after all, you're the one who gets to enjoy the fruits of your labors.

Let's Go Garden!

Let's start with a combo that's perfect for cooler temperatures, plus, it's using the trend of combining an edible with an ornamental so as you harvest the leaves from Dragon's Tongue arugula, the beauty of Gem Lilac Antique viola remains. Design idea: match the container color to the color of the flowers for double impact!

Ever since NuMex Easter ornamental pepper and African Sunset petunia were named as AAS winners, we've wanted to grow them together. They provide a hot and spicy combination that would bring a burst of fiery color to the summer garden.

Isn't this a match made in heaven? Soft, sandy colors in shades of orange and salmon blend together beautifully, especially when the Arizona Sandstone agastache stands upright several inches above the cascading form of SuperCal Salmon Glow petunia. Bonus: hummingbirds and bees will love this combo!

Another edible combined with an ornamental and this one just makes so much sense! Peas are a cool season crop, pansies are a cool season crop. Peas like to grow upward and then are easier to harvest while the pansies can be happy as a lark at the base of the peas, doing what they do best: look pretty! Try Cool Wave Sunshine and Wine pansy with Tom Thumb pea.

And here's a no-brainer: combining tomatoes and basil for an almost complete Caprese Salad in one garden planter. Try compact AAS Winners Dolce Fresca basil and Fantastico tomato, both of which are perfect for growing together in a larger (16" or more) container.