Mixing Annuals with Other Plants

When I'm designing a garden, I always fall back on a few basic principles. One of the most important is establishing a strong framework of small trees, shrubs and perennials as a backdrop. Then I leave the foreground open for planting of seasonal color, this is usually in the form of annuals. And these days, there are so many varieties to choose from, whether you're gardening in sun, or shade.

For sun, I like using cool colors, like blue salvia, pale yellow marigolds and white vinca. I also enjoy using petunias in sun, especially these versatile Storm Petunias that self clean. The dark purple ones look great paired up with Kiss Gazania.

For shade, lighter colors always seem to stand out better, so I like to use pale colored impatiens, browallia, and this little plant called torenia. Coleus perform great in the shade and I'm particularly fond of a series called Stained Glassworks by The Flower Fields.

Now when I plant my annuals, I like to plant in pockets, or drifts, depending on the size of the garden, five to six plants. And I space them eight to ten, maybe twelve inches a part for maximum coverage.

One thing you may want to keep in mind is not to fall into a rut of planting the same annuals in the same place year after year. By mixing it up, you can stay one step ahead of pests.

Another thing I like to do is under-plant my annuals with bulbs in the fall, so in the spring I have tulips and daffodils coming up through annuals plants, like pansies. It's a great combination.

P. Allen Smith Gardens
Copyright: 1997
Hortus LTD

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Howto & Style

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• outdoor
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• annuals
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[ruapraia]

Thanks Alan, you are the man!

[OehmevanSweden]

Beautiful ideas! Great use of colors! Really enjoyed hearing your tips!

[happydancer4]

Interesting principles. They make sense; not that I've even done any design, but they seem like solid ideas.