When you’re designing landscapes or large-size containers with full-sun exposure, there are many plant options at your disposal. That being said, the most successful combos will be filled with durable, easy-care varieties that offer diversity in plant habits, colors and flower forms.
A good rule of thumb is to combine bold patters and unique shapes in your foliage choices, along with striking colorful flower selections. This will create a perfect balance in your design.
Let’s break down the landscape combo in the photo below, and provide alternatives that could broaden your design palette.
The photo above contains a tropical Canna Cannova Yellow along with a versatile Begonia Megawatt Red with a green leaf as the main filler. Redhead Coleus provides additional non-flowering texture, while SolarPower Lime Heart sweet potato vine spills out of the container.
All are easy-care, low-maintenance options that make a big impact in a commercial landscape.
| Cannova® Canna |
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Megawatt™ Begonia |
| Height: 30-48 in. |
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Height: 20-28 in. |
| Spread: 14-20 in. |
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Spread: 16-24 in. |
| Exposure: Sun |
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Exposure: Shade, Partial Sun |
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| Sweet Potato Vine (Ipomoea) |
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Coleus |
| Height: 10-12 in. |
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Height: 18-36 in. |
| Spread: 24-36 in. |
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Spread: 16-28 in. |
| Exposure: Sun, Partial Sun |
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Exposure: Sun, Shade |
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Now let's look at alternatives and how to change-up this look using different colors from the same genetics.
The canna in a Rose color could also match well with a swapped-out Begonia color in a bronze-leafed Rose or Pink.
Replacements for the texture-rich coleus could be the popular Henna or Crimson Gold varieties. Both are large-size options and can fill a commercial or municipal container fast.
As for the sun-loving spiller options that drape over the side, a dramatic Black Heart or Red Heart ipomoea leaf shape could create a more elegant look and bring in some “metallic” hues that are on-trend.
You can check out our archives here for more sun-loving choices, or for large-stature plants that are big and bragging click here. All will thrive in the landscape and provide your clients the durability and mass-appeal that’s so important to today’s designer.
Don't forget to download the latest THRIVE Landscape Poster for your office! It's filled with these design inspirations and much more.
Have a question about any of these products or want to find a supplier? Contact our Ball Seed team today.