When it comes to selecting plants to complement Dogwood, there are a few key factors to consider. First, you want to choose plants that will enhance the beauty of Dogwood, whether it be through contrasting colors or complementary textures. Second, it’s important to choose plants that will thrive in similar growing conditions as Dogwood, ensuring they can coexist harmoniously. selecting plants that offer year-round interest will ensure your garden remains visually appealing regardless of the season.
One option to consider is planting abelia (Abelia spp.) alongside Dogwood. Abelia is a versatile shrub that comes in various cultivars, offering different foliage colors and textures. The glossy leaves of abelia can create a beautiful contrast with the Dogwood’s flowering bracts. Additionally, abelia produces fragrant flowers, attracting pollinators to your garden. The shrub’s compact growth habit makes it an excellent choice for smaller spaces or as a border planting.
Another complementary plant is the smoke bush (Cotinus coggygria). Smoke bush is known for its unique, cloud-like clusters of feathery flowers that give the plant its name. These flowers can range in color from pink to purple, creating a stunning contrast against the Dogwood’s white or pink bracts. Smoke bush also has attractive foliage, with leaves that transition from purple-red in spring to deep green in summer and then turn shades of orange and red in the fall. This color-changing foliage can add depth and interest to your garden throughout the year.
Hydrangeas (Hydrangea spp.) are another excellent choice to plant alongside Dogwood. Hydrangeas come in a variety of cultivars, offering different flower colors and shapes. The large, showy blooms of hydrangeas can provide a striking contrast against the delicate flowers of Dogwood. Additionally, hydrangeas are known for their ability to change flower color based on soil pH, allowing you to experiment with different color combinations in your garden. Hydrangeas also offer attractive foliage and can be pruned to maintain a compact shape or trained to climb a trellis or fence.
To create a backdrop for Dogwood that remains green throughout the year, consider incorporating evergreen shrubs such as arborvitae (Thuja spp.) and juniper (Juniperus spp.). These evergreen shrubs provide a solid green backdrop that can help showcase the Dogwood’s colorful stems in the winter months. Arborvitae and juniper are also low maintenance and drought-tolerant, making them suitable companions for Dogwood.
Personal Experience:
In my own garden, I have planted Dogwood alongside abelia and smoke bush, and the combination has been visually stunning. The white bracts of the Dogwood create a striking contrast against the deep green foliage of the abelia, while the smoke bush adds a touch of color with its purple-pink flowers. Throughout the year, the abelia’s glossy leaves provide a beautiful backdrop for the Dogwood’s stem color in the winter, and the smoke bush’s foliage transitions from purple-red to orange, adding interest to the garden even before its flowers bloom. the combination of these plants has created a vibrant and visually appealing garden space.
When selecting plants to plant alongside Dogwood, it’s important to consider factors such as color contrast, texture, growing conditions, and year-round interest. Abelia, smoke bush, and hydrangeas are excellent choices that can enhance the beauty of Dogwood, while arborvitae and juniper provide a solid green backdrop. By carefully selecting and arranging these plants, you can create a visually stunning and harmonious garden space.
