Companion Plants for the Dahlberg Daisy

Annuals

• Annuals die at the end of the growing season but usually bloom for much longer than perennials. The blanket flower (Gaillardia pulchella) has similar cultural requirements as the Dahlberg daisy. This 18- to 24-inch high annual blooms from summer through early fall with yellow, orange and red daisy-like flowers with dark red centers. Blanket flowers prefer full sun and tolerate drought conditions. The globe amaranthus (Gomphrena globosa) also thrives in dry to well-drained soils and tolerates full sun to partial shade. This annual grows from 1 to 2 feet tall and blooms from late spring through early fall. It produces small purple, red, orange, pink and white flowers. The "Bicolor Rose" cultivar produces multi-colored flowers on the same head.

Perennials

• Perennials grow and bloom for at least three years, sometimes living much longer. Butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa) prefers full sun and well-drained to dry soil. It blooms in spring and summer with orange, red and yellow flowers that attract butterflies with their nectar. Butterfly weed grows from 2 to 3 feet tall. Red valerian (Centranthus ruber) also grows well in full sun and well-drained soil. It grows to 3 feet tall and blooms in spring with tall spikes of bright red flowers. Red valerians tolerate poor and alkaline soils.

Ground Covers

• Ground covers fill in empty spots in annual beds, helping to prevent weed growth. Sun-loving varieties include the woolly yarrow (Achillea tomentosa), a 6- to 12-inch high evergreen with aromatic gray foliage. Woolly yarrow spreads into a dense mat and blooms with clusters of bright yellow flowers. It prefers full sun and well-drained soil and tolerates drought and poor soil. Mondo grass (Ophiopogon japonicus) thrives in well-drained sites with full sun to partial shade. This spreading evergreen has dark-green leaves that grow from 6 to 10 inches high. It blooms with light-purple to white flowers in summer and forms a carpet of mounded, grass-like foliage.

Shrubs

• Choose low-growing shrubs that won't create shade near your Dahlberg daisies. The compact white fir (Abies concolor "Compacta") grows to 2-1/2 feet tall with a spread of 3-1/2 feet. This drought-tolerant evergreen shrub has dense, gray-blue needles and grows in a compact, rounded mound. A slow-grower, the compact white fir prefers full sun to light shade and well-drained soil. The leadplant amorpha (Amorpha canescens) also tolerates drought. This deciduous shrub grows to 4 feet high with a 5-foot spread and has a flat top. It has gray-green foliage and blooms with blue to purple flowers. Leadplant amorpha grows well in full sun and a range of soils.