Alexander’s white candytuft groundcover offers a brilliant white backdrop for vivid merlot tulips.
It’s not unusual for me to get compliments from people walking by my garden. But this year, things ramped up. People in cars started pulling to my curb to tell me how much they loved my tulips. In particular, they liked my killer combo—Merlot tulips and Alexander’s white candytuft.
This mid-spring duo attracted more attention than any other pairing I’ve ever tried. Unfortunately, the merlot tulips developed botytris blight, probably from too much rain. So there were small brown patches on some tulips, but not enough to detract from their beauty. Next time, I’ll buy my bulbs from someone other than John Scheepers. My bulbs from other suppliers were fine.
I’ve also planted bloody cranesbill near the candytuft, so when the tuft pooped out this week, the bloody cranesbill was taking off with its fuchsia blooms. In a couple of weeks or so, the fire meidiland groundcover roses nearby should start flowering, as well.
Bright red tulips peek out beneath regent serviceberry. Blue Veronica pectinata provides a carpet for spring-blooming bulbs.
In early to mid-spring, I have many white-blooming plants—autumn brilliance serviceberry, regent serviceberry, Pawnee Buttes sand cherry, and candytuft. I was concerned that so much white going on at the same time would be monotonous. Quite the contrary. I’ve found that the white blooms provide a delightful backdrop to more colorful plants, such as fluffy blue Veronica pectinata groundcover and multi-colored Darwin hybrid tulips. Once the tulips start to fade, the purple alliums begin opening up and little Trudy catmint is in full swing with its purple-violet flourishes.
Although the merlot/candytuft combo was intentional, some of my other favorite combinations have been accidents. Take blue avena grass and spring-blooming soapwort as an example. Last year, a river of pink soapwort streamed between two of my avena grasses. It was stunning. So I made sure it happened again this year and added some alliums close by.
In the summer, Sonoran sunset Agastache blends nicely with upright Karl Foerster feather reed grass. Complement this pair with yellow evening primrose as a groundcover in sunny areas.
In the shade, try mixing periwinkle with sweet woodruff and variegated Solomon’s seal for a lovely purple and white spring display.
When experimenting with plant combinations, it helps to remember that the vast majority of plants are easy to move around. So if one medley doesn’t work, transplant those babies in the fall or early spring for a different look next year.
Blossoms & Blueprints 