What I’m Doing in the Garden

September 28, 2025 Aldrin Espinosa

Easy Spring Flower Combinations for a Stunning Garden

People are always asking me when they come in the nursery what I’m doing in the garden right now. They want just a few simple new plant combinations that they can try at home.

Here at the nursery, the goal for me is to get everything to be in full bloom for our SPRING PARTY on April 14 & 15. Each year, I try to do something new so that when people come in, it’s fresh and exciting. It’s thrilling and creative for me and folks are always happy and inspired to see something new. Plus, it’s fun!

This is the first demonstration bed you see when you enter the nursery. I want it to feel romantic, Springy and welcoming as visitors walk through the front gates.

center bed newly planted

Filling in the space around established Cephalaria gigantea, “Giant Scabious” – which won’t bloom until Summer – are exuberant Spring favorites Nemophila menziesii “Baby Blue Eyes”, Papaver commutatum ‘Ladybird’ and Agrostemma githago ‘Ocean Pearls’. FYI: the white speckles covering the soil is Sluggo, my favorite non-toxic snail bait. NOTICE THE AMOUNT of Sluggo I’m using here. It’s been raining for the last three weeks straight – and that means its super snacky time for resident slugs and snails. I’ll re-apply it every five days while it’s raining to make sure my baby plants are safe.

Click to see a larger view of this garden!

Here’s an example of this combo with Orlaya grandiflora stepping in for Agrostemma ‘Ocean Pearls’. Pretty!

Super popular in the garden last year was Ixia ‘Buttercup‘. This year I’m trying it with purple flowered California native Phacelia minor in hopes that the pairing of bright purple and yellow will look exciting together. Will they bloom at the same time? Let’s see what happens! (In case you’re wondering about the orange stuff on the soil surface, I’ve added a light layer of lava rock. Because we top-dress with compost several times during the year, we add the lava rock once a year to maintain optimum drainage).

Click to see a larger view of this garden!

Ixia, meet Phacelia.

Phacelia, meet Ixia.

It’s a month before the Spring Party and here I am adding in the quickest to grow and bloom annual – Malcolmia maritima. I looove Malcolmia with “Baby Blue Eyes” and just about any Dianthus. Last month, I planted the Delphinium and Papaver. The Dianthus are from last year – they remain my favorite long-lived, long blooming, old-fashioned, fragrant, perennial stand-bys for the edge of the garden.

Click to see a larger view of this garden!

Here’s a peek at at how sweet and wonderfully SPRINGY this combo looks.

Last year I was enamored with this new two-toned peachy-ruby Calendula, ‘Bronzed Beauty.’ So this year, I planted it near the entryway.

Photo courtesy the lovely Floradora Gardens.

Here, I’m just adding bright gentian blue Ajuga genevensis in the foreground and Delphinium ‘Bellamosum’ in the back. Bouncy white English daisies (Bellis perennis) will fill in any emtpy spaces. For foliar interest, there are a few grasses plus harmoniously peachy Heuchera ‘Marmalade’ and ruby-ribbed Rumex sanguineus.

Click to see a larger view of this garden!

So there you go! With just a few well-chosen Spring bloomers, you can make great combinations that will delight your eye and make you and your garden feel so totally successful!

FAQ: Easy Spring Flower Combinations

Why should you group plants with similar growing requirements?

Grouping plants with similar sunlight, soil, and water needs helps them grow more successfully together while making garden maintenance easier. Plants that thrive under the same conditions are more likely to bloom at the same time and require similar care, resulting in healthier, more cohesive plantings.

Why is Nemophila menziesii ('Baby Blue Eyes') a popular choice for spring gardens?

Nemophila menziesii, commonly known as Baby Blue Eyes, is a California native annual prized for its sky-blue flowers that bloom in early spring. It grows best in cool weather, full sun to partial shade, and well-drained soil. Its abundant blooms make it an excellent companion for other spring-flowering annuals and native wildflowers.

Why is slug and snail control especially important during rainy weather?

Slugs and snails become much more active in cool, damp conditions and can quickly damage young seedlings and tender foliage. Applying an iron phosphate-based bait, such as Sluggo®, is considered an effective and lower-toxicity method for controlling these pests while posing less risk to pets, wildlife, and beneficial organisms than traditional metaldehyde baits.

What are the benefits of adding lava rock as a garden top dressing?

Lava rock helps improve soil drainage, reduces compaction, and can help suppress weeds while allowing water and air to reach plant roots. It is commonly used as a long-lasting mulch in ornamental gardens, particularly where good drainage is important for healthy root development.

Why are spring annuals often combined with perennials in garden designs?

Spring annuals provide immediate color while slower-growing perennials are still developing. As the annuals finish blooming, the perennials continue growing and often become the garden's main display later in the season. This layering approach helps maintain continuous visual interest and maximizes the use of garden space throughout the year.