Long Blooming Perennials in Palette of Pink, Purple, and Blue

Inspired by a favorite planting combination from my garden, this vignette provides color and interest over a very long period. Doing the heavy lifting in the flower department is Geranium 'Rozanne' and Echinacea 'Green Envy''. Heuchera 'Georgia Peach' is a delightful color echo for the pink tones the radiate around the center of the coneflower. Introducing the jewel tones of deep purple adds depth. In my garden, I used Persian Shield, an annual that will not survive over the winter in my garden. That position could be held equally well by Heuchera 'Forever Purple'. The hellebore and ground-covering sweet flag, coupled with the heuchera, provide additional off-season interest and create an evergreen foliage frame when the summer floral show is not in session. In my garden, early season ephemerals and minor bulbs, planted around the crowns of the geranium and echinacea, provide early spring color while they're emerging from dormancy.

You can achieve a very similar effect while making substitutions. For example, Echinacea 'Green Twister' is an improved version of E. 'Green Envy' and the coloring is pretty much the same. There are many wonderful hellebore varieties that would sub in very easily. A with a plethora of heuchera available out there, you'll have no trouble finding one to make the color connections like I've done here. If you'd like to see more of this plant combo and how it fits into my overall garden, you'll enjoy this video tour of my backyard garden.


Growing Conditions

Zone: 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Exposure: Full Sun, Part Sun
Water Needs: Average, Regular / Even

Design Considerations

Style: Cottage, Naturalistic, Northwest Eclectic, Wildlife Friendly
Features: Attracts Pollinator, Fabulous Foliage, Flower Fest, Romantic Cool Colors, Varied Foliage, Texture, and Form
Focus: Building Block, Mixed Border
Seasons of Interest: Late Winter / Early Spring, Pleasing Seasonal Changes, Spring, Summer, Three Seasons of Interest, Year-round Interest

Care and Maintenance


Maintenance Level: medium
Maintenance Tasks: Cut Back to Rejuvenate, Deadheading



Plants In this Combo