An Eye-Catching Border Idea with Lupines, Avens and Mullein

Plant Combinations, Flowerbeds Ideas, Spring Borders, Summer Borders

Wow! Such a vibrant plant combination to cheer you up for weeks in late spring – early summer! This sparkling mix of contrasting perennials, in terms of color and flower shapes, includes the elegant vertical lines of Lupinus ‘Masterpiece’ (Lupine) and Verbascum ‘Southern Charm’ (Mullein), the incredibly showy Camassia ‘Blue Heaven’ (Camass), the glowing Geum ‘Prinses Juliana’ (Avens) and the particularly beautiful violet-blue blooms of Aquilegia vulgaris var. stellata ‘Blue Barlow’ (Columbine).

Easy to replicate and low maintenance. Most plants are deer and rabbit resistant!

Garden Information

Hardiness	4 - 8
Heat Zones	5 - 8
Climate Zones	3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 14, 15, 16, 17
Exposure	Full Sun
Season of Interest	Spring (Late), Summer (Early)
Maintenance	Low
Water Needs	Average
Soil Type	Loam
Soil pH	Neutral
Soil Drainage	Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics	Cut Flowers, Showy
Attracts	Butterflies, Hummingbirds
Landscaping Ideas	Beds And Borders
Garden Styles	Informal and Cottage

Plants In This Garden

Lupinus 'Masterpiece' (Lupine)

Gracing the garden in late spring – early summer, Lupinus ‘Manhattan Lights’ (Lupine) features showy, erect spikes of densely packed, sweetly scented, purple and yellow flowers.

Hardiness	4 - 8
Exposure	Full Sun, Partial Sun
Seasons	Spring (Late), Summer (Early)
Height	2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm)
Spread	1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)

Aquilegia vulgaris var. stellata 'Blue Barlow' (Columbine)

Bred for cut flower production, Aquilegia vulgaris var. stellata ‘Blue Barlow’ is particularly beautiful with its fully double, upward facing, spurless, rich violet-blue blooms, resembling starry pompons, in late spring to early summer

Hardiness	3 - 9
Exposure	Full Sun, Partial Sun
Seasons	Spring (Late), Summer (Early)
Height	2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm)
Spread	1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)

Camassia 'Blue Heaven' (Camas)

Camassia ‘Blue Heaven’ (Camas) is a bulbous perennial with long racemes of up to 100 star-shaped, pale blue flowers, adorned with 6 showy tepals, a green center, and bright yellow stamens. Borne on stout, willowy stems, they open sequentially from bottom to top for a long-lasting display.

Hardiness	3 - 8
Exposure	Full Sun, Partial Sun
Seasons	Spring (Late), Summer (Early)
Height	2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm)
Spread	1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)

Verbascum 'Southern Charm' (Mullein)

A desirable ornamental Mullein, Verbascum ‘Southern Charm’ is a short-lived perennial with abundant, graceful spikes smothered with uniquely colored flowers in pastel shades of creamy yellow, soft lavender and peachy, each adorned with a fuzzy purple eye.

Hardiness	5 - 8
Exposure	Full Sun
Seasons	Spring (Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall
Height	2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm)
Spread	1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)

Geum 'Prinses Juliana' (Avens)

Welcomed in almost any garden or floral arrangement, Geum ‘Prinses Juliana’ is a clump-forming, herbaceous perennial with masses of extremely showy, semi-double, fiery orange flowers appearing in late spring to early summer.

Hardiness	5 - 9
Exposure	Full Sun, Partial Sun
Seasons	Spring (Late), Summer (Early)
Height	1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)
Spread	1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)

Salvia nemorosa 'Caradonna' (Sage)

Multiple award-winner, Salvia nemorosa ‘Caradonna’ is a favorite of many gardeners for its unique, glowing dark purple stems and stunning, vertical spikes of rich, violet-blue flowers appearing in late spring or early summer

Hardiness	4 - 9
Exposure	Full Sun
Seasons	Spring (Late), Summer (Early, Mid)
Height	1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)
Spread	1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)

How Many Plants Do I Need?

Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas

Lupinus (Lupine) Verbascum (Mullein) Aquilegia (Columbine) Geum (Avens) Camassia (Camas)

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Alternative Plants to Consider

Geum ‘Fire Storm’ (Avens)

Geum ‘Fireball’ (Avens)

Lupinus ‘Manhattan Lights’ (Lupine)

Verbascum ‘Jackie’ (Mullein)

Marcus Harpur

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.