Container Garden Idea: Shade Sparkler

Shade Sparkler
(click image to get the full effect of this dynamic combo)
shade/part sun
1 'Gartenmeister' fuchsia
2 Non-Stop begonia Pink'
4 sapphire lobelia

Orange and pink! Together! This color combination isn't for everyone but for those who love a pop of color in the shade, this is your combo.

This combo features one of my very favorite shade plants, the Gartenmeister fuchsia. This is an upright fuchsia with unusual electric orange-pink blooms. Dynamic! In addition, the foliage is dark green and burgundy which adds even more drama to this focal point. This is also one of the shade plants the will actually create some height in shade containers.

Pink may seems like an unusual choice to put with this and it is, yet after much wandering around the greenhouse, this is the color combo that really caught my eye. Since the fuchsia is neither truly pink nor orange, I really could have gone either way. For those preferring a less dynamic punch of color, choose orange Non-Stop begonias. There will still be a color galore! When it comes to begonia, Non-Stop pink (and orange and all the other colors, too) really are non-stop bloomers. These plants work wonderfully around the base of the fuchsia by filling in the soil line and adding color and full texture next to the finer, yet similar, texture of the fuchsia.

With such bright colors, I always think blues work great to balance out the containers. Here, I used a 4 pack of sapphire lobelia. This picture was taken in October (I know! October! In Minnesota!) so the lobelia is a little played out, yet you can still see how fantastic the color and texture of the lobelia work with the coarse texture of the fuchsia and begonia.

For those looking for even more color, the lobelia could be replaced by Golden Moon or Yellow Moon torenia or yellow trailing foliage plant such as lysimachia.

Whatever color combo you choose, Gartenmeister fuchsia is sure to become one of your favorite container plants for the shade. Use this colorful combination in shady areas of your garden that need a shot of color.