Do you sometimes go to the garden centre, look around, and feel bewildered? Stop with that panic. I’m here to introduce the best dating concept for plants ever, this is called a “perfect couple” guide to planting!
It uses a combination of bedding plants, and perennial leafy subjects. You may have heard of bedding and patio plants, and indeed they don’t have the best reputation, as many people see them as unsustainable, because they often only bloom for one season. By combining with something perennial, you get better longevity from the container, and you simply need to change the bedding plant at the end of the season. It could be that you insert an autumn and winter flowering plant, rather than waiting for next summer! The possibilities are endless!
I’ve been busy matchmaking a few plants, and I hope you enjoy my choices! The captions will tell you which plants have been used. All plants were sourced from Perrywood garden centre in Tiptree in Essex, and the pots from Elho in the Netherlands.
I can’t wait to see what you create!
Polystichum setiferum and Southern Belle Fuchsia Voodoo
Panicum virgatum and Osteospermum 3D Blueberry Shake
Petunia Pinstripe and Helichrysum Silver Mist
Geranium Trend Sophie Dark Red and Artemisia ‘Powis Castle’
Begonia Non-Stop Red and Hosta elegans
Sedum rupestre and Petunia capella Purple Vein
French Marigolds and Ajuga Braunhertz
I would love for you to try these pairings, and if you do, please tag me on Instagram so that I can see your work! Also, have your say on the next hottest plants in this year’s Fantasy Plant League. It’s free to vote and only takes a minute, and it’ll give you an insight into the future of the plant industry! Vote here.
Michael has been involved with gardening and plants since he was just five years old. He is a self-professed Plant Geek, and was listed in the Sunday Times top 20 most influential people in the gardening world, thanks to his plant hunter role at Thompson & Morgan.
Michael was responsible for new plant introductions such as the Egg and Chips plant and the FuchsiaBerry and keeps busy travelling the world in search of new plants as well as lecturing worldwide, including stints in Japan. He is very active on social media – so why not give him a follow at @mr_plantgeek or Facebook. You can also listen to The Plant Based Podcast with Michael and co-host Ellen-Mary on iTunes, Spotify and Google.
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Susan Lewis79
Loved plant dating something I do but never tried your combinations have just put trai!ing begonias with my hosta plants useless at technology so unable to send photos.. Am going to try the geranium dating you have suggested sue