When it comes to choosing companion plants for Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’ or other border sedums, it’s important to consider their nonaggressive nature and ability to blend well with other late-season bloomers. These plants can enhance the beauty of your garden and create a visually pleasing combination of colors and textures.
1. Asters: Asters are a popular choice to pair with sedums. Their daisy-like flowers in shades of purple, pink, and white provide a lovely contrast to the sedum’s succulent foliage. They both share a similar bloom time, creating a harmonious display in the garden. Some recommended aster varieties include Aster novae-angliae (New England aster) and Aster novi-belgii (New York aster).
2. Cultivated Goldenrods: Goldenrods are another excellent option to complement sedums. With their vibrant yellow flowers, they add a splash of color to the late-season garden. Cultivated varieties such as Solidago ‘Golden Baby’ or Solidago ‘Fireworks’ offer a more compact habit, making them ideal for smaller garden spaces.
3. Boltonia: Boltonia, also known as false aster, is a tall, upright perennial that produces masses of small, daisy-like flowers in shades of pink and white. Its airy appearance creates a beautiful backdrop for sedums, and their similar bloom time makes them a perfect match. Boltonia asteroides ‘Snowbank’ or Boltonia asteroides ‘Pink Beauty’ are popular cultivars to consider.
4. Ornamental Grasses: Pairing sedum with ornamental grasses can create a stunning contrast in texture and form. Grasses like Miscanthus sinensis or Panicum virgatum provide height and movement to the garden, while the sedum’s compact and clumping habit offers a neat and low-growing counterpart. This combination adds visual interest and creates a dynamic landscape.
5. Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia): Russian sage is a drought-tolerant perennial with silver-gray foliage and spikes of lavender-blue flowers. Its airy structure and color complement the sedum’s blooms and foliage. Both plants thrive in similar growing conditions and are relatively low-maintenance, making them an excellent pairing for a low-maintenance garden.
6. Coneflowers (Echinacea): Sedums and coneflowers make a fantastic duo in the late-season garden. Coneflowers come in various colors, including pink, purple, and white, which contrast beautifully with the sedum’s deep pink or copper-colored flowers. Additionally, both plants attract pollinators, adding life and movement to your garden.
7. Liatris: Liatris, also known as blazing star or gayfeather, produces tall spires of purple, pink, or white flowers. This plant thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, just like sedums. The vertical form of liatris creates a striking contrast against the sedum’s mounding habit, adding height and drama to the garden.
8. Black-Eyed Susans (Rudbeckia): Black-eyed Susans are a classic choice for companion planting with sedums. Their golden-yellow petals with dark centers create a beautiful color combination with the sedum’s flowers. They both prefer full sun and well-drained soil, making them easy to grow together.
Remember, when choosing companion plants for sedum ‘Autumn Joy’ or other border sedums, it’s essential to consider their similar growing conditions, including sunlight requirements and soil preferences. By selecting plants that complement each other in terms of color, form, and bloom time, you can create a visually appealing and harmonious garden. Experimenting with different combinations and observing how they interact in your specific garden setting can be an exciting and rewarding experience.
