Have you heard the term “companion gardening”? This term is often used in vegetable gardens where certain types of plants support each other for more vigorous growth and better yields. However, it is also a great approach to landscaping, where plants that visually complement each other are strategically grouped to result in a more pleasing design. Here’s how grasses and shrubs from our garden center can be used to complement flowering plants in Ulster County, NY.
Ornamental grasses are becoming more popular every year. They are low maintenance and lend a wonderful softness to a landscape. Evergreen shrubs will always be in favor as living walls and as backdrops for flowers. Ornamental grasses and a variety of evergreen and deciduous shrubs are essential in a relaxed, informal landscape. They also provide an amazing backdrop to plants that attract butterflies, bees, and other pollinators.
But designing a pleasing arrangement is more than putting darker and denser elements at the rear and lighter and more colorful elements in front.
Related: FIND NATIVE PLANTS AT OUR PLANT NURSERY IN ULSTER COUNTY, NY
Scale
Grasses and shrubs come in many shapes, sizes, shades, and density. Grasses can range from 3’ tall Little Bluestem to 6’ tall Feather Reed Grass. Shrubs can be visually dense to emphasize the foliage (boxwood); moderately dense where the emphasis is on the blooms (lilac); or lightweight where the bark is the main attraction once the foliage has dropped (dogwood). Scale companion plants according to their mature sizes, to give your landscape project a pleasing, layered look.
Another approach is to intersperse grasses with slightly shorter or same-height flowering plants so that the grass stalks peek out from among the flowers in a wonderful flower-arrangement kind of way.
Visual Weight
Plants appear lightweight or heavy according to their density and size. Evergreens such as cedar or boxwood are very dense, while ornamental grasses are visually lighter. Several smaller and visually more lightweight plants are needed to balance one large, dense plant, such as an area of coneflowers and ornamental grasses to balance out one boxwood shrub.
Season of Bloom
Since most ornamental grasses bloom in late summer/early fall, pair grasses with early-blooming flowers such as columbines, which bloom in late spring/early summer. The grass will disguise dying flowers and keep the planting bed vibrant all season.
Movement
Grasses sway in the wind and bring movement to planting schemes, so pair them with taller plants (like the coneflower) for a garden of movement; or with shorter mound-like flowers that have little movement (like yellow alyssum).
Color
Grasses and evergreen shrubs are more muted in color, which gives flowering plants center stage. For example, phlox is especially stunning set among the airy, golden foliage of deschampsia grass. To create a more tranquil monochromatic landscape, choose flowers that bloom in one color—such as white—and add variegated green-to-white vines.
Texture
The most appealing look is perhaps a natural one that combines textures: waxy, feathery, smooth, spiky, fuzzy, airy, and more!
The Secret to a Great Landscape
One proven approach for a pleasing and natural look is to focus on depth when designing a planting scheme. Depth is achieved with varying heights, colors, weight, texture, bloom times, movement, and scale. And remember to always group plants by sun and water needs.
Related: HOW TO CHOOSE EVERGREEN SHRUBS AT A PLANT NURSERY IN BERGEN COUNTY, NJ
