Peas and carrots. Peanut butter and jelly. Batman and Robin. If this were Jeopardy, the correct answer would be “What are perfect pairings?” On this episode, we’re talking about two plants that just seem to belong together. It could be that they have complementary textures, or they bloom in unison, or perhaps their habits fit together like puzzle pieces. String a few of these perfect plant pairs together, and you’re sure to get a garden that is pleasing to the eye.

Expert testimony: Amy Galloway is a horticulturist at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in Austin, Texas.

Danielle’s Plants

Pairing 1

Foxtail lily (Eremurus robustus, Zones 5–9)

‘Scarlet Peony’ annual poppy (Papaver somniferum ‘Scarlet Peony’, annual)

Pairing 2

Invincibelle Wee White^® smooth hydrangea (Hydrangea arborescens ‘NCHA5’, Zones 3–8)

‘Golden Angel’ Japanese shrub mint (Leucosceptrum japonicum ‘Golden Angel’, Zones 5–8)

Pairing 3

‘Ogon’ spirea (Spiraea thunbergii ‘Ogon’, Zones 4–8)

Upright sedum (Hylotelephium cv., Zones 3–9)

Purple fountain grass (Pennisetum setaceum ‘Rubrum’, Zones 9–10)

Steve’s Plants

Pairing 1

Heart-leaf Alexander (Zizia aptera, Zones 3–8)

‘Brilliance’ autumn fern (Dryopteris erythrosora ‘Brilliance’, Zones 5–8)

Pairing 2

Valentine^® bleeding heart (Dicentra spectabilis ‘Hordival’, Zones 3–9)

‘All Gold’ Japanese forest grass (Hakonechloa macra ‘All Gold’, Zones 5–9)

Pairing 3

‘Lavender Arrowhead’ daylily (Hemerocallis ‘Lavender Arrowhead’, Zones 3–10)

‘Hummelo’ betony (Stachys officinalis ‘Hummelo’, Zones 4–8)
 
 

Expert’s Plants

Amy Galloway is a horticulturist at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in Austin, Texas.

Pairing 1

Texas bluebell (Eustoma exaltatum ssp. russellianum, Zones 8–10)

Old field goldenrod (Solidago nemoralis, Zones 3–9)

Pairing 2

Giant coneflower (Rudbeckia maxima, Zones  4–9)

Purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea, Zones 3–9)