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Perennial/Annual Combinations?
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Posted by
marya13 6a (
My Page) on
Tue, May 17, 11 at 17:41
| Do any of you like to mix annuals in with perennials in a mostly-perennial border? I've never done this, except for some Cosmos in bare spots. If you do, what are some good combinations? |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Perennial/Annual Combinations?
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| Mary, I have done cosmos like you. I added more this year. I'm trying a few new annuals, but I can't say how they will work out. I direct sowed alyssym along one edge in front of pennisetum grass. White Marigolds in the front of the border, zinnia sowed in among the echinaceas. In my full sun bed, I've added Limonium for a first time try, along with California Poppies which have ended up being annual for me in the past. I've started sunflowers this year, but I'm giving them their own bed. These are all plants I've found easy to start from seed. I have bought other annuals that are harder to start from seed to add to the perennial beds, but I wanted to cut back on that cost. I've added Penta, the non hardy Salvias, Lantana in the past, but I'm skipping those this year. |
RE: Perennial/Annual Combinations?
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| I love mixing Nicotianas (white and chartreuse), Zinnias, Cosmos (double-type), asters, sweet peas and Laura Bush petunias in my perennial borders. |
RE: Perennial/Annual Combinations?
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| Oh, thanks for all the ideas. I never heard of Penta--it looks lovely. |
RE: Perennial/Annual Combinations?
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- Posted by mxk3 z5b/6 MI (My Page) on
Wed, May 18, 11 at 9:58
| I grow most of my annuals in pots on the patios, but I do scattered some around in the beds there and there. My favorite combination in the beds is Heliotrope next to Lamb's Ears. |
RE: Perennial/Annual Combinations?
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| Penta is also a butterfly attractor. It tolerates summer heat, humidity and drought very well. I love Heliotrope's fragrance like vanilla, but I have found them slow to grow in my part sun areas. Not sure if they are full sun lovers or not. I've only tried them in pots. |
RE: Perennial/Annual Combinations?
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| I have most of my annuals in pots also, but have lots of self-seeding annuals that once planted will return if I leave a few seed-heads. Currently I have Nicotiana and poppies, but in the past have had Verbena bonarensis, a Salvia with colorful bracts whose name I've forgotten, and forget-me-nots. I weed out the ones I don't want. They provide nice color when many perennials aren't blooming and the Nicotiana have a scent that I can't imagine a summer without, similar to my scented Viburnums. |
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