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Companion Plants

Companions for spring bulbs

20 years ago

I have a semi-circular bed in the corner of our yard which has a cranberry viburnum in the corner with concentric rings of various plants: front silver lirope, then pink Songbird columbine, then Siberian iris. Behind the iris are the bulbs: daffs and muscari which are all that is in bloom now. When they're done I'd like to either plant something OVER them or BEHIND them, or both, which will cover the dead foliage and the bare space they leave behind all summer. By the way, this area is very shady. I thought of planting tall coleus over them and tall astilbe (white and pink) behind them. What do you think of this idea?(I tried daylilies but there just wasn't enough sunlight and they flopped.) I'm open to any other ideas too. (I don't have too much space behind the bulbs and it is under the boughs of the viburnum.)

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Comments (2)

laceyvail 6A, WV
20 years ago
Try hostas if you don't have deer, or brunnera if you do. If there is enough moisture, a low fern like Japanese Painted fern might work.
shadeeladee
Original Author
20 years ago
Thanks laceyvail. In our area Japanese Painted fern or brunnera don't grow tall enough to use as a background plant, but I may use some large varigated hosta if I don't use the tall astilbe I had mentioned. It seems in the long run, I always seem to come back to my good friend the hosta. Thanks again for your suggestions.
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