Alphabetical Plant Listing

A Cheerful Border Idea with Monarda, Achillea and Digitalis

Perennial Combinations, Plant Combinations, Summer Borders


Attractive to butterflies, hummingbirds, and low maintenance, this summer border, awash with colors and shapes, is really fascinating. A few perennials were used to create this striking look: the crimson-tinted pancake-like flower heads of Yarrow (Achillea), the fragrant and architectural Monarda (Bee Balm) with their crowns of brilliant crimson florets, the bold, steel blue globe-shaped flowers of Echinops ritro (Globe Thistle). Adding architectural height and beautifully complementing this planting, the unique Golden Oats (Stipa gigantea), the creamy and golden spikes of Rusty Foxglove (Digitalis ferruginea), and the showy, purple foliage of Smokebush (Cotinus coggyria).

This perennial combination enjoys a long season of interest, and most plants are recipients of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society. They are deer resistant too! Enjoy!

Garden Information

Hardiness 5 – 8
Heat Zones 3 – 9
Climate Zones 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Early,Mid,Late)
Water Needs Average
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Chalk, Loam, Sand
Soil Ph Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Dried Arrangements, Cut Flowers, Fragrant, Plant of Merit, Showy
Tolerance Deer
Attracts Butterflies
Landscaping Ideas Beds and Borders
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage , Prairie and Meadow

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Great Plant Combination Ideas with Achillea - Yarrows Great Plant Combination Ideas with Cotinus - Smoke Trees Great Plant Combination Ideas with Digitalis - Foxgloves Great Plant Combination Ideas with Echinops - Globe Thistles Great Plant Combination Ideas with Monarda - Bee Balms Great Plant Combination Ideas with Stipa - Feather Grasses


Credit: GAP Photos/Rob Whitworth - Location: RHS Gardens Harlow Carr

While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.

Garden Information

Hardiness 5 – 8
Heat Zones 3 – 9
Climate Zones 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Early,Mid,Late)
Water Needs Average
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Chalk, Loam, Sand
Soil Ph Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Dried Arrangements, Cut Flowers, Fragrant, Plant of Merit, Showy
Tolerance Deer
Attracts Butterflies
Landscaping Ideas Beds and Borders
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage , Prairie and Meadow

Get Garden Design Ideas


Great Plant Combination Ideas with Achillea - Yarrows Great Plant Combination Ideas with Cotinus - Smoke Trees Great Plant Combination Ideas with Digitalis - Foxgloves Great Plant Combination Ideas with Echinops - Globe Thistles Great Plant Combination Ideas with Monarda - Bee Balms Great Plant Combination Ideas with Stipa - Feather Grasses


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Achillea 'Fanal' or 'The Beacon' (Yarrow)
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Monarda 'Gardenview Scarlet' (Bee Balm)
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Echinops ritro 'Veitch's Blue' (Globe Thistle)
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Cotinus coggygria (Smokebush)
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Stipa gigantea (Golden Oats)
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Digitalis ferruginea (Rusty Foxglove)
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