Alphabetical Plant Listing

A Serene and Elegant Border Idea for your Garden

Perennial Combinations, Plant Combinations, Flowerbeds Ideas, Spring Borders, Summer Borders


This naturalistic woodland garden is a 'vision of romance and elegance', as described by its designer, Tom Stuart-Smith. It consists of a spectacular grove of Betula nigra (River Birch) with attractive copper bark peeling off in sheets, and graceful and airy perennial plants in soft shades of white, lilac, and lavender. Particularly pretty Iris sibirica 'Silver Edge' (Siberian Iris), with their rich violet-blue flowers, edged silver, emerge through a sea of white airy umbels created by Cenolophium denudatum (Baltic Parsley) and Anthriscus sylvestris (Cow Parsley). 

They are all underplanted with the lavender blooms of Geranium sylvaticum 'Birch Lilac' (Wood Cranesbill), white Astrantia major 'Alba' (Great Masterwort), and the spurred flowers of Aquilegia Songbird 'Dove' (Columbine). 

Adding a subtle touch of lime-green to the planting are the incredibly showy clusters of Euphorbia wallichii (Wallich Spurge) and gracefully arching, slender leaves of Hakonechloa macra (Hakone Grass).

So, get inspired and enjoy the beauty of this low-maintenance combination. Most plants are deer-resistant or drought tolerant!

Garden Information

Hardiness 7 – 8
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Late)
Summer (Early)
Water Needs Average
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil Ph Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Plant of Merit, Showy
Attracts Butterflies, Hummingbirds
Landscaping Ideas Beds and Borders
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage , Traditional Garden

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Great Plant Combination Ideas with Anthriscus Great Plant Combination Ideas with Aquilegia - Columbine Great Plant Combination Ideas with Astrantia - Masterworts Great Plant Combination Ideas with Betula - Birches Great Plant Combination Ideas with Buxus - Boxwood Great Plant Combination Ideas with Euphorbia - Spurges Great Plant Combination Ideas with Geranium - Cranesbills Great Plant Combination Ideas with Hakonechloa - Hakone Grasses Great Plant Combination Ideas with Iris Sibirica - Siberian Iris


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 7 – 8
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Late)
Summer (Early)
Water Needs Average
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil Ph Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Plant of Merit, Showy
Attracts Butterflies, Hummingbirds
Landscaping Ideas Beds and Borders
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage , Traditional Garden

Get Garden Design Ideas


Great Plant Combination Ideas with Anthriscus Great Plant Combination Ideas with Aquilegia - Columbine Great Plant Combination Ideas with Astrantia - Masterworts Great Plant Combination Ideas with Betula - Birches Great Plant Combination Ideas with Buxus - Boxwood Great Plant Combination Ideas with Euphorbia - Spurges Great Plant Combination Ideas with Geranium - Cranesbills Great Plant Combination Ideas with Hakonechloa - Hakone Grasses Great Plant Combination Ideas with Iris Sibirica - Siberian Iris


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Plant Quantity
Betula nigra (River Birch)
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Buxus sempervirens 'Suffruticosa' (Boxwood)
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Astrantia major 'Alba' (Great Masterwort)
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Euphorbia wallichii (Wallich Spurge)
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Iris sibirica 'Silver Edge' (Siberian Iris)
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Geranium sylvaticum 'Birch Lilac' (Wood Cranesbill)
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Cenolophium denudatum (Baltic Parsley)
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Hakonechloa macra (Hakone Grass)
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Anthriscus sylvestris (Cow Parsley)
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Aquilegia Songbird 'Dove' (Columbine)
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