Ensemble Plant Performances — Stronger Together

Even a common, ubiquitous plant can be elevated by its association with a complementary partner — just like two musicians, each player adds perfectly-timed contributions of foliage, flower, fragrance, or other pleasing attribute, and the song is made.

In the combination below, the lowly Viburnum davidii assumes a more rarified demeanor when lit from beneath by the grassy mounds of the brightly-variegated foliage of Carex oshiomensis 'Everest'. And bold, leathery foliage is downright handsome when paired with the fine texture of Pieris japonica 'Little Heath', its blushing new growth picking up the rich tones of Heuchera 'Mahogany'.

Some planting combinations are about celebrating a moment, reveling in the details: the vein of a leaf, the color of a stem, the throat of a flower — our appreciation of the delicious details is heightened. The new growth of Pieris 'Little Heath’ is accentuated by its association with Rhododendron 'Medusa' and Heucherella 'Sweet Tea'. This plant performance accentuates the pleasing detail of a repeated color.

Celebrating a moment in time, the still-tight buds of Rhododendron ‘Ebony Pearl’ speak to the plum-red color of the interior splotch on the juvenile foliage of its neighbor, Heucherella ‘Brass Lantern’.

In early spring, the silvery-blue fronds of this lady fern are lined with deep pink veins which really pop when planted next to the showy foliage of Heuchera 'Georgia Plum'.

The dill-like umbels of Bupleurum fruticosum and a bright yellow conifer, Chamaecyparis 'Vintage Gold' make an electric pair in this summertime scene.

The energetic tension introduced by strong contrast, whether of color, form or texture, is a sure way to engage your garden visitors. These everyday plants merit a second look – they just needed to find their soulmate, their perfect partner.

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Lonicera nitida 'Twiggy' is the perfect foil for the bold, quasi-exotic foliage of Camouflage™ Japanese aralia and together their golden tones would add a bright note to a part-shade spot in your garden.