Combinations: 15 Hot Picks For Spring

Jennifer Polanz

Mixed upright combinations and hanging baskets are becoming more and more sophisticated as customers clamor for a variety of choices for patios, decks, porches and anywhere else they can fit or hang a pot.

Industry companies and designers are answering this need with more unique offerings featuring a greater focus on texture and structure, as well as enhanced functionality via more shade choices and increasing use of perennials to fill out pots. Read on for selections that are sure to delight any customer. Another trend we’re seeing is naming combos, so if customers loved it they can find it again next year. Just a few examples of this include Proven Winners’ combinations, like the one featured in its national advertising campaign—Velvet Skies—and Hort Couture’s new line of Cities of Fashion combinations, each named after a famous city.

I’ve Got Rhythm Mix from Ball Horticultural Co.—Argyranthemum Butterfly, Zonal Geranium Fantasia Flame, Lysimachia Goldilocks, Petunia Rhythm and Blues and Salvia Mystic Spires Blue.	Primary Perfection Mix from Syngenta Flowers (part of the Kwik Kombos program)—Callie Deep Yellow calibrachoa, Lanai Red verbena and Techno Heat Dark Blue lobelia.

Edibles & Ornamentals Container from designer Christina Salwitz—Huechera Caramel, Hebe Pinquifolia, Basil Magical Michael, Coprosma Karo Red and Phormium Jack Spratt.	Patio Surfinia combination from Suntory—Surfinia Patio Coral Pink, Surfinia Patio Yellow and Surfinia Patio Blue.

Flambe Combo from Proven Winners—Flambe Yellow Strawflower Chrysocephalum apiculatum, Superbells Yellow Chiffon Calibrachoa hybrid and Diamond Frost Euphorbia graminea.	Barcelona (part of the Cities of Fashion line) from Hort Couture—Petunia Panache Lemonade Stand, Lobelia Nautica Flow Blue, Verbena Espadrille Merlot

Perennial Combination from Darwin Perennials—Harvest Burgundy heuchera, Silver Carpet stachys and Burgundy Glow ajuga	Fashionable Fuchsia from the HGTV HOME Plant Collection—Petunia Sweetunia Fuchsia Queen, Survivor Indigo Sky geranium, Aloha Milk and Honey calibrachoa, and Empress Flair Peach verbena

Cypress Sensation Mix from Ball Horticultural Co.—Euphorbia Breathless White, Cyperus Wild Spike, Helichrysum Licorice, Petunia Black Velvet and Verbena Aztec Magic Dark Pink	Night in Pompeii Mix from Syngenta Flowers (part of the Kwik Kombos program)—Sanguna Purple petunia, Lanai Bright Eye verbena and Techno Heat Dark Blue lobelia

Monochromatic Container from designer Christina Salwitz—Coleus Fishnet Stockings, Sedum Autumn Charm, Flower Carpet White rose, Black potato vine, Golden Yellow Mimulus Maximus, Petunia Fanfare Yellow, Agastache Apricot Sunrise, Variegated Moore Grass Molinia Caerulea and Lonicera Baggeson’s Gold	Giant Surfinia combination from Suntory—Surfinia Giant Purple, Surfinia Giant Blue and Surfinia White

Velvet Skies from Proven Winners—Blushing Princess alyssum lobularia, Supertunia Mini Silver petunia hybrid and Supertunia Royal Velvet petunia hybrid	Washington (part of the Cities of Fashion line) from Hort Couture—Petunia Perfectunia Red, Petunia Panache Lemonade Stand, Lobelia Nautica Flow Blue
Black & White from the HGTV HOME Plant Collection— StarDust Superflash euphorbia, Helichrysum Silverstar, Empress Flair White verbena and Sweetunia Black Satin petunia.