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Companion Plants
Combine ‘Chinatown’ with complementary shades for a beautiful ornamental bed with excellent cut flower elements:
Annual. A classic variety of this popular annual - and one of my personal favourites. A true workhorse, ‘Carpet of Snow’ is one of the most versatile plants in the garden. As an ornamental, it can be tucked into the corners of raised beds, blanket the edge of a border bed, or drape gracefully over the sides of a mixed container. As a vegetable companion, its lovely, sweet fragrance attracts an abundance of pollinators and repels harmful insects. A low growth habit allows it to act as a living mulch. Both the leaves and flowers are edible, with a light peppery taste. Plants prefer moist, loamy soil, and providing a monthly dose of balanced fertilizer will be heartily rewarded.
Location: Front of border, Hanging basket, Mixed container, Vegetable garden
Bloom Period: June to October
Height: 6”, spreading to 12”
Plant Spacing: 5-8”
Annual. ‘Gloria’ is a show-off in the garden. The rose-pink petals and piercing crimson eyes will easily charm all who come to visit. Plants are heavy-blooming and self-cleaning, for an easy display of colour from early summer to frost.
Cosmos attract bees, butterflies and birds. The plants are self-seeding, but not invasive, and are not prone to pests or disease. They tolerate heat, drought and will grow in even the poorest soil conditions, provided that there is good drainage. This is a truly low-maintenance plant. Avoid too much fertilizer, as this can lead to lush foliage and few blooms.
Location: Rear border, Landscape planting, Cottage garden
Bloom Period: June to September
Height: 3-5’
Plant Spacing: 18”
Annual. An award winning variety with fragrant, 2-3” indigo-blue flowers that bloom profusely all season. Their sweet scent can be enjoyed throughout the day, and is strongest in the evening. Consider planting on a patio or below a window, where their floral fragrance will perfume the air. Tough plants are resistant to both heat and rain.
Petunias are a popular summer annual, prized for their beautiful blooms and versatility in the garden. Attracting pollinators and repelling harmful insects, they are an excellent companion for the vegetable garden. Mounding varieties put on a thrilling display in the landscape, and trailing varieties form a graceful ground cover or hanging basket. Plant in light, fertile, well-draining soil. Water regularly and feed container plants every 1-2 weeks.
Location: Landscape planting, Mixed container, Hanging basket
Bloom Period: June to September
Height: 6-8”, spreading to 2.5-3’
Plant Spacing: 12-18”
Annual. Compact and bushy plants with double, 2.5” blooms in a mix of orange and yellow hues. A wonderful variety for containers and small pots.
The quintessential companion plant, marigolds are stars in the vegetable garden. They attract bees, butterflies and beneficial predatory insects. They are an excellent companion for tomatoes and potatoes, as they repel harmful insects and soil nematodes. Plant in average soil with even moisture and fertilize every few weeks.
Location: Vegetable garden, Front of border, Mixed container
Bloom Period: June to September
Height: 10-12”
Plant Spacing: 6-8”