With winter upon us, perhaps it is finally time to take stock of the summer and review some favorite scenes of gardens past. I recently came across this picture of a lovely pink Achillea ‘Cerise Queen’ (yarrow) in combination with Salvia ‘Caradonna’ (Sage). Probably taken in early summer, this scene is from a Vermont garden where water is ample and the sun is not too hot. Interesting since both of these plants thrive in hot and dry conditions. I have had this pink yarrow take off on me a bit, reseeding here and there. Below is a more contrasting mix, with the vibrant Achillea ‘Pomegranite’ and Salvia ‘Blue Hill’. I’d almost be interested in seeing the two combinations here reversed. Maybe next year.
Yet another combinations includes the Salvia ‘Caradonna’ and Achillea ‘Moonshine’ a bright combination tamed by Nepeta ‘Six Hills Giant’. I have also used this Salvia with Achillea ‘Coronation Gold,’ a taller and “golder” culitvar. One thing is for sure, the purple hues are good foils for that chromium yellow which I find otherwise hard to pair.
