Companion Plants
Consider ‘Black Prince’ as a bold feature for a mixed container of soft shades and delicate textures:
Annual. Get ready for a show! This unusual variety will undergo a beautiful colour transformation right before your eyes: unopened blooms will begin as a lemon curd yellow. Petals will then gradually unfurl to reveal an almost pure white blossom with a dark center. A beautiful contrast for any flower bed or vase!
Calendula are a terrific vegetable companion, as they attract pollinators and repel harmful nematodes in the soil. Their flowers are edible and dried petals can be used in place of saffron, as a garnish, or to make a delightful tea. They are very easy to grow, requiring minimal watering and feeding. Plant in poor to average, well-draining soil and deadhead occasionally for increased blooms.
Location: Mid-border, Mixed container, Vegetable garden
Bloom Period: June to September
Height: 2’
Plant Spacing: 10”
Annual. Creamy-edged flowers with gorgeous yellow centers will soften any container arrangement. Plants are vigorous, self-cleaning, and long-blooming, with a high production of 2.25” flowers all season.
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: Mixed container, Hanging basket, Landscape planting
Bloom Period: June to September
Height: 8-12”, spreading to 2.5-3’
Plant Spacing: 12-18”
Annual. Soft, feathery foliage forms in neat, silver mounds. Dusty Milller is favoured for its ability to blend effortlessly into any colour scheme, easily complementing warm, cool, or pastel toned annuals and perennials. The effect is particularly striking with purple and blue shades. Silver leaves also provide an interesting contrast to the green leaves of other bedding plants. They are easy to grow, being both heat and drought tolerant. Plant in average, well-draining soil, and feed occasionally throughout the summer.
Location: Front of border, Mixed container, Landscape planting
Height: 12”
Plant Spacing: 8-10”
Annual. A charming burst of bright, sapphire blue flowers with white eyes will provide the finishing touch to window boxes and planters.
Lobelia are vigorous plants that flower heavily all season. Their delicate blooms cascade beautifully over the edge of hanging baskets and containers, attracting butterflies and pollinators. Self-cleaning, and low maintenance, lobelia are very easy to grow. Plant in rich, well-draining soil. Water regularly and fertilize containers every two weeks.
Location: Mixed container, Hanging basket
Bloom Period: June to September
Height: 6”, spreading to 12”
Plant Spacing: 6”