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A Cheerful Border Idea with Monarda, Achillea and Digitalis

Perennial Combinations, Plant Combinations, Summer Borders

Garden Ideas, Border ideas, Perennial Planting, Perennial combination, Summer Borders, Fall Borders, Monarda, Bee Balm, Achillea 'Fanal', Monarda 'Gardenview Scarlet', Echinops ritro 'Veitch's Blue', Digitalis ferruginea, Agapanthus, Cotinus

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)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
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

Plants In This Garden

Alternative Plants to Consider

Monarda ‘Vintage Wine’ (Bee Balm)
Monarda ‘Marshall’s Delight’ (Bee Balm)
Achillea millefolium ‘Red Velvet’ (Yarrow)
Achillea millefolium ‘Strawberry Seduction’ (Yarrow)

Learn About These Genera

Achillea (Yarrow)
Monarda (Bee Balm)
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)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
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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Achillea 'Fanal' or 'The Beacon' (Yarrow) N/A Buy Plants
Monarda 'Gardenview Scarlet' (Bee Balm) N/A Buy Plants
Echinops ritro 'Veitch's Blue' (Globe Thistle) N/A Buy Plants
Cotinus coggygria (Smokebush) N/A Buy Plants
Stipa gigantea (Golden Oats) N/A Buy Plants
Digitalis ferruginea (Rusty Foxglove) N/A Buy Plants

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