Verbena bonariensis with Gypsophila paniculata ‘Snowflake’
Fighting through a snowstorm of gypsophila, the compact purple flowers of verbena are held aloft on lithe branching stems. The open form of verbena usually gives a light, airy feeling to plantings, but in this pairing it punches through, working more as the dominant element.
Grow with the bold white flowers of Anemone japonica ‘Honorine Jobert’ so that the planting changes again as the gypsophila fades to ashen.
For a different effect, try combining verbena with blockier grasses such as the upright Calamagrostis ‘Karl Foerster’ or the billowing Stipa calamagrostis, interspersed with clumps of Echinacea (cone flower).
