CHOOSING PLANTS FOR GROUPINGS

PLANT GROUPS USUALLY WORK BEST IF they have some sort of theme—color, texture, or shape—rather than being a haphazard mixture. Groups of plants from within the same family are often successful: cacti, for example, or air plants or spring bulbs. One advantage of this method is that all the plants will enjoy the same growing conditions. You may wish to compose your group entirely of the same species of plant, perhaps contrasting varieties and a range of flower or leaf colors, such as are found among Saintpaulias (African violets) or Coleus blumei (flame nettles.) Or you may prefer the massed effect of three identical poin- settia plants or florists’ chrysanthemums.

With foliage plants, using a range of different shades of green can be effective, and a strongly variegated form is emphasized by displaying it among plants with plain leaves. The color of the variegation can be echoed by flowering plants, with the white markings of the weeping fig Ficus benjamina ‘Starlight,’ for example, being picked up by a white chrysanthemum or white campanula. Colors in the plant group can also be used to reinforce the color scheme of the room itself, or of a particular ornament or painting. Contrasts can be used effec­tively, with pale green walls forming a background for a group of dark green foliage plants enlivened with a brilliant scarlet poinsettia or a striking yellow kalanchoe, for instance.

Different-textured leaves also make interesting companions. Several species and varieties of peperomia and pilea have rippled or corrugated foliage, and some have variegation and stripes as well. Asparagus densiflorus ‘Sprengeri’ makes a bright green haze to contrast with the sharply upright spikes of the pineapple, Ananas comosus, or the leathery straplike leaves of a clivia.

The softly furry leaves of Columnea gloriosa and Gynura ‘Purple Passion’ seem to be just asking to be stroked, but spiky dracaenas and cordylines warn off would- be touchers.

One of the most pleasing ways to arrange a group of plants with different forms is to create a triangular shape, with one or two tall plants and a number of lower, more spreading types below them. The apex of the triangle can be in the center of the group or to one side of it. If all the plants are much the same height, it is sometimes a good idea to raise one of the pots to vary the level of the group.

Finding the right place

 

The windowsill is probably the most popular place for any houseplant, but some, especially plant groups, deserve a more prominent position. A large group, with one or two tall specimens, is ideal for a place on the floor near patio doors, where the plants help to link the house with the garden outside and will enjoy good light. Smaller groups may occupy a display table or take the central position on a dining table.

A fireplace is often the focal point of a room, and in summer the hearth can house an attractive collection of indoor plants. A color theme of reds, yellows, and oranges, which mimic the flames, or

Plants with several different leaf shapes in shades of white, green, and cream are harmoniously combined in this arrangement for a hall. The tall, pale orchid provides thefocus of attention, with the other, lower-growing plants grouped at its base.

cool blues, greens, and white empha­sizing the summer season both work well. In summer the mantelpiece is also a good location for plants, particularly trailing varieties. A mirror behind the display doubles the effect, but extra care must be taken with the arrangement of the plants in this instance.

Always take the plants’ needs, as well as their esthetic effect, into account when choosing their location. A group of plants may well brighten up a dark corner, but they will not stay in good condition for long unless supplementary lighting is used.

Do not position plants where people walking past will continually brush against them. The brushing is very likely to damage the plants, and it is annoying as well. And make sure that plants are safe and secure—not likely to topple over or drip water onto expensive furniture or carpets or electrical equipment.

A rough-textured sunny wall

and brilliantly colored pots form a pleasing setting for this group of various cacti, a partridge- breast aloe, and a succulent, all of which look quite different but have similar growing requirements—an important consideration when you are grouping plants.

African violets, massed in a

shallow china bowl and ranging from pale to deep mauve and pink to ruby red, are the ideal choice of plants here. They echo both the colors and the old- fashioned charm of the antique porcelain figurine, drawing the eye to it and at the same time providing a glowing pool of color among the otherwise cool neutrals of the room.