Getty Images
In your garden there’s an infinite number of ways of pairing plants to create wonderful combinations of colours, textures and even flavours. There are no rules to combining plants successfully; individual plants may be beautiful in themselves, yet more aesthetically pleasing when paired with a flattering companion.
Partnering plants, especially flowering ones, benefit surrounding plants by offering beneficial factors, such as attracting pollinators or deterring insect pests. Experiment with your own combos, or try our pairing suggestions, and follow these tips to create an eye catching healthy garden.
1. Always choose plants suited to your climate zone
2. Opt for plant pairs that have similar water, sun (or shade) and soil requirements.
3. Create nutrient rich soil and feed those hungry plants with a specially formulated fertiliser, tailored for the plants needs. The soil and fertiliser are the perfect partnership for a healthy garden.
A great garden begins with great quality, nutrient rich soil. To give young plants the best possible start prepare the garden using organic matter such as Yates® Dynamic Lifter® which slowly releases organic nutrients, improves water and nutrient holding capacity and encourages earthworms which in turn assist drainage and aeration for better root growth.
Growing plants closely together creates competition for nutrients. Yates® Thrive Liquid Fertiliser is specially formulated for different plant types ensuring the right balance of nutrients and trace elements is available for the specific plants you are growing. Yates® Thrive Liquid Fertiliser goes to work quickly as nutrients are absorbed through both the leaves and the roots, apply regularly to give plants a boost of nourishment.
Trimming spent flowers, or picking flowers for the vase encourages another flush of blooms, prolonging the display and also helps to maintain bushy growth.
Tomatoes & Basil, a match made in flavour!
When you plant your tomatoes, don’t forget the basil! The intense aroma from the basil confuses insect pests, helping to deter them from your fruit. The lush green basil foliage shades the base of the tomato plants, keeping roots cooler on hot days.
With similar water and nutrient needs this pair is well suited in the garden and makes a colorful, flavorsome duo on a plate. Bite sized tomatoes are the easiest to grow and harvests are plentiful, look for compact varieties if space is limited.
A kaleidoscope of colour
Complimentary colours like pink and mauve are easy on the eye and dreamy in the garden. Blush pink roses and purple lavender make a perfect pair, long flowering from spring to autumn, attracting bees and beneficial insects to the garden and adding a delicious fragrance to enjoy. Long flowering mauve cat mint with silvery grey foliage conceals the thorny bases of rose bushes.
Edibles with flowers
Flowering herbs or quick growing annuals are perfect among vegie crops. Not just a pretty look, crop diversity creates a healthy growing environment. A mix of flowers can distract harmful insects away from edible crops whilst attracting an abundance of beneficial insects and pollinators such as bees and butterflies.
Insect and nectar feeding birds adore the continuous supply of flowers too. Nasturtium, violas, salvias, perennial basil, calendulas and marigolds are long flowering, and are also edible. Don’t forget to supply a water source for fly in visitors!
Classics for every garden
Classic white and green lend a timeless elegance to any garden. Add interest to formal plantings by selecting hedging plants with the added benefit of pretty flowers such as viburnum, Indian hawthorn, or aromatic rosemary. Partner emerald green foliage with voluptuous white summer flowering shrubs like hydrangeas or deliciously fragrant gardenias.
Eye catching contrasts
Chartreuse and purple is a stunning garden combo. For striking year round foliage contrast in warm zones pair burgundy leafed evergreens such as Alternanthera with golden foliaged shrubby Duranta.
Create excitement in native gardens using acid yellow flowers of iconic kangaroo paw, or brilliant golden wattles teamed with bright purple Scaveola ground cover. These Aussie plants are naturally heat and drought tolerant and enjoy full sun in well drained soils.
Related stories
Native ad body.
Native ad body.
Native ad body.
