A June Wedding

  A JUNE WEDDING 

Plant marriages have been chronicled by a long list of very talented landscape architects and designers. There are hundreds of books detailing tried and true combinations, the classics we all know and love, but as I wander through my Northern California garden in June I find that sometimes the unexpected results are the most rewarding. 

Case(s) in point: 

Here we are, week two of June. My Phlomis blooms will soon be gone and I will lose my splash of yellow. But it still stands erect and sturdy, a backbone stretched towards the sky. Below it, the Salvia buds are fattening up ready to burst. As if giddy with anticipation the salvia blows easily with the breeze; a contrast to the Phlomis-sentry set behind it. This scene is less about color and more about shape, movement and foliage size. Soon though, when the salvia is in full regale the element of color will return and the salvia will take center stage, ablaze in vibrant hues.

Another transitional combination is this one with Euphorbia and Salvia ‘Limelight’.  The striking flowers of the Euphorbia have come and gone and what once was the main attraction now sits in the background. This makes way for the new star - the wispy, color-popping Salvia ‘Limelight’.  A reversal of roles keeps the combination fresh and interesting.

They say that to truly enjoy a garden you have to know it. And to do that, you should try to walk through it every day. I couldn't agree with that more. Plants communicate visually, and if you aren’t looking, in essence, you aren’t listening. So don’t tune out – every marriage is better when you listen.

Pete Pedersen: Principal

Pedersen Associates Landscape Architecture

www.pedersenassociates.com