11 Plant Combination Ideas for Container Gardens
9/11
A Pop of Purple Combo
Combination: Gladiolus, Anemones
When you want to make a vertical statement, gladiolus is a tried-and-true friend. Add in perky, amiable anemones, and together they make a cheerful backdrop for a porch or fence line.
“In this combination, elegant purple gladiolus adds dramatic height while adorned with delicate white anemones for added interest,” says Montgomery. “Vibrant green foliage fills the pot’s base, spotlighting the blooms above.”
Again, the gladiolus will flower more vibrantly in the sun, but both plants can tolerate a bit of shade as well.
10/11
Bright Yellow Combo
Combination: Gladiolus, Calla Lilies, Crocosmia
When you want to maximize your cheery vibe, there’s nothing mellow about going full yellow. In this case, that means bright yellow gladiolus, calla lilies and crocosmia.
“Combining flowers in a container that are all one color delivers extra impact,” says Montgomery. “This combination is particularly sunny, perfect for summer.”
This combo will also do best in full sun, with a few exceptions: crocosmia should be partly sheltered in particularly hot climates to help the flowers last, and try to keep calla lilies out of the wind.
11/11
Edible Dinner Combos
Combination: Tomatoes, Basil, Chives, Oregano, Onions, Bell Peppers, Broccoli, Garlic, Carrots
Try planting everything you need for your favorite meal in one container. Think Italian, with organic Roma tomatoes, sweet basil, zesty chives, oregano and bunching onions. Or maybe a stir-fry, with bell peppers, broccoli, spicy Thai peppers, garlic and carrots.
“Basil and tomatoes work great as companion plants, and the aroma of basil helps deter pests,” says Carrie Spoonemore, co-creator of Park Seed‘s From Seed to Spoon app. For more inspiration and curated combo food patches, check out the app.
About the Experts
Mary Phillips is Head of Native Plant Habitat Strategy/Certifications at the National Wildlife Federation. As an ambassador for nature, she keeps habitat gardening programs flourishing with sustainable practices and ever-evolving scientific knowledge. NWF also offers these wildlife garden tips.
Linda Vater is an acclaimed author and media producer who loves to cultivate garden-inspired living. She consults for Southern Plant Living’s plant collection.
Peggy Anne Montgomery is a horticulturist with flowerbulb.eu. She has 35 years of experience working with flowers, including owning her own landscape design firm in the Netherlands.
Carrie Spoonemore is co-creator of Park Seed‘s From Seed to Spoon app, which helps people successfully choose and grow plants suited to their area, find recipes and more. She lives in Oklahoma, where she grows food with her husband and kids, and makes YouTube videos demonstrating gardening techniques from their five-acre homestead.
