The Best Annual Plant Combinations

Cool Blues

• Green, blue and purple are cool colors that, according to the University of Vermont Extension, are best viewed from close range. Plant a cool-blue garden in full sun near a walkway or in a container on a sunlit patio for the most powerful effect. Combine a base of silver or variegated mintleaf with the punctuated spikes of blue anise sage and blue fan flower. Accentuate the planting with deep purple petunias and a border of white and purple alyssum.

Shaded-Area Combinations

• The North Dakota Extension Service suggests that white and yellow flowers should be used in abundance in shady areas, with the addition of luminous orange and scarlet flowers in the darkest corners. The University of Vermont Extension Service recommends starting with pale yellow or white marguerite daisies, lemon licorice and the chartreuse-leaved marguerite sweet potato vine for a base of yellow with varied growing heights. Add shade-tolerant scarlet annuals such as red-flowering nicotiana, snapdragons or nasturtiums.

Moon Garden

• Silvery foliage and white flowers reflect moonlight or artificial lighting, creating a glowing landscape feature at night. The University of Illinois Extension suggests starting with the annual moonflower vine. Grow moonflower on a trellis at the rear of your garden or on a wire pyramid over a container planting. Add silvery foliage such as artemisia or lambs ears, some airy white flowers such as nicotiana or cleome and a thick foreground bedding of white petunias. In a container, choose trailing varieties of petunias that will cascade over the edge of the container.