A Long-Lasting Border Idea with Pelargonium, Heliothrope and Senecio

Winning Plant Combinations, Plant Combination Ideas, Summer Border Idea

Garden Ideas, Border ideas, Plant Combination Ideas, Summer Border Idea, Pelargonium, Geranium, Dusty Miller, Silver Dust, Heliotropium, Heliotrope, Senecio Cineraria, Drought tolerant plants

Create a beautiful summer garden with this colorful and long-lasting plant combination idea that will enchant your hanging baskets, window boxes and raised beds for weeks from spring to fall. Bright pink Ivy Geraniums (Pelargonium peltatum) are beautifully combined with heliotrope (Heliotropium arborescens) and Dusty Miller (Jacobaea maritima) to create a terrific summer border jostling for your attention week after week. Perennial in warm winter climates, all these plants can be treated as annuals in cool winter regions.

Garden Information

Hardiness	10 - 11
Heat Zones	9 - 11
Climate Zones	15, 16, 17, 23, 24
Exposure	Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest	Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall
Maintenance	Low
Water Needs	Low, Average
Soil Type	Loam, Sand
Soil pH	Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage	Well-Drained
Characteristics	Cut Flowers, Showy
Attracts	Butterflies, Hummingbirds
Landscaping Ideas	Patio And Containers, Beds And Borders
Garden Styles	Informal and Cottage, Traditional Garden

Plants In This Garden

Heliotropium arborescens (Heliotrope)

Native to Peru, Heliotropium arborescens (Heliotrope) is a tender perennial shrub in its native habitat but is usually grown as a summer bedding annual in most areas. Blooming from summer to fall, this old-fashioned favorite produces showy rounded clusters, up to 4 in. across (10 cm), of tiny violet, purple, blue, or white flowers with a sweet delicate fragrance.

Hardiness	10 - 12
Exposure	Full Sun, Partial Sun
Seasons	Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall
Height	1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)
Spread	1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)
Characteristics	Fragrant, Showy, Evergreen

Pelargonium peltatum 'Cascade Sofie' (Ivy Geranium)

Pelargonium peltatum ‘Cascade Sofie’ (Ivy Geranium) is a compact, trailing, evergreen perennial with fleshy, deep green, ivy-shaped leaves on long lax stems. Single flowers adorned with 5 pink petals appear from spring through fall. Providing a summer of lush flowering, Ivy Geranium is a great addition to hanging baskets, window boxes, and raised beds where it will cascade gracefully down, creating a waterfall effect. Heat-loving and low care.

Hardiness	10 - 11
Exposure	Full Sun, Partial Sun
Seasons	Spring (Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall
Height	1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)
Spread	1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)
Characteristics	Showy, Evergreen

Jacobaea maritima (Dusty Miller)

Grown for its striking foliage, Jacobaea maritima or Senecio cineraria (Dusty Miller), is a bushy perennial or subshrub with silvery, finely textured, dissected leaves, sometimes with a lace-like appearance. Attractive throughout the growing season, the leaves are covered with fine matted hairs, giving them a felted or woolly, silver or white appearance.

Hardiness	8 - 11
Exposure	Full Sun, Partial Sun
Seasons	Spring (Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall
Height	6" - 2' (15cm - 60cm)
Spread	6" - 1' (15cm - 30cm)
Characteristics	Cut Flowers, Showy

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Senecio Pelargonium (Geranium)

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Alternative Plants to Consider

Pelargonium peltatum ‘Temprano Salmon’ (Ivy Geranium)

Pelargonium ‘Concolor Lace’ (Scented Geranium)

Pelargonium ‘Imperial Butterfly’ (Scented leaf Angel Pelargonium)

Pelargonium ‘Kimono’ (Regal Pelargonium)

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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.