Crocus combinations

Echinops & Achillea plant combination

This striking perennial collection brings together strong architectural forms and a warm, summery palette of rich yellow and clear blue. Rounded flowerheads contrast with broad, flat sprays, while the finely divided foliage adds a softer layer of texture beneath the flowers.

Ideal for sunny summer borders, the combination works particularly well in naturalistic planting schemes where its upright forms can mingle with ornamental grasses and other drought-tolerant perennials.

The long-lasting flowers also make an excellent pairing for a cut flower garden, with plenty of structure and colour carrying through the summer.



In this collection you will receive three of each of the following plants. They are all supplied in 9cm nursery pots:


• Echinops bannaticus 'Taplow Blue': Spherical, bright blue flower-heads up to 5cm (2in) across in July and August and prickly, grey-green leaves. This gorgeous globe thistle is highly attractive to butterflies and bees. An eye-catching, yet undemanding perennial for the back of a herbaceous or mixed border, it's best planted in poor, well-drained soil in full sun. Grows to 1.8m.
  
  
• Achillea filipendulina 'Cloth of Gold': One of the biggest yarrows, with flat, plate-like heads of deep yellow flowers held high on tall stems, with ferny foliage beneath. This achillea is long-lasting, and drought-tolerant, but needs a lot of space to spread out. Try it in a sunny spot at the back of a herbaceous border, or among grasses. Grows to 1.2m.



• Planting tips:
  Prepare the bed well by digging in lots of well-rotted or bagged compost before you plant.
  
  Where possible, plant in odd numbers, and cluster them together to give impact. Multiples of 3 work really well set out in irregular triangles for an organic feel, while larger numbers can be planted in multiple clusters or drifts. In bigger gardens, try to repeat your clusters through the border to create a sense of rhythm and cohesion.
  
  Also, when setting your plants out, check their eventual spread and make sure they’ve enough space to fill out. After planting, keep plants well watered for their first year, particularly during warmer weather, and feed them with a good, general purpose fertiliser through the growing season.
  
  For more information, please see the individual plant webpages.