How to Grow Plants Together

And yes, I do mean literally grow them together. Here's how and why....

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. 
    
   Braided Money Plants

   You can plant plants right next to each other to create a twining effect. This is frequently done with the indoor ficus trees and the 'money plant' (Pachira aquatica) where the growing plants are actually braided together.

2. 
    
   2 Almond trees planted together to cross-pollinate

   You can grow some trees right next to each other so the branches will intertwine and they will take up the space of a single tree. In a limited space, this is a good way to grow fruit trees that need to be cross-pollinated in order to set fruit.

3. 
    
   Rugosa rose fence courtesy of Greenwood Nursery

   Some plants can form a living fence by planting them closely in a straight line. Not all plants do well planted like this, but it will work well with the ocotillo (Foqueria), clumping bamboos, grape vines, some roses and willows and a number of other plants. Hedges are a common use of close planting to create a fence or wall.

4. 
    
   Mixed yellow chrysanthemum plants

   Planting groups of flowers, like chrysanthemums for example, close together when young will create a big mixed bouquet of blooms when plants mature. Use clumps of the same type of plant with the same growth habit and plant them within a few inches of each other when small -- ideally when they are in 4" pots.

5. 
    
   Bulb peeking through evergreens

   One of the best uses for planting plants together is when you plant bulbs under or behind low shrubs, evergreen perennials or ground-cover plants. The foliage of bulbs should never be cut when green as this needs to die down naturally to re-supply the bulb below with energy for next year's growth. So rather than being stuck with ugly yellowing foliage, you can allow other perennials to hide the foliage as it dies down. And bulbs in flower will add their own colorful display looking like the surrounding plants are doing the all the blooming.

6. 
    
   More inter-planted chrysanthemum plants

   Usually it is not a good idea to plant most growing things too close to each other in the garden so each plant has the space and nutrients to grow well. But there are special circumstances when you can make close planting into an asset. These are a few ideas on how to plant close together.

Resources

• Gates & Croft Horticultural Design info and ideas

[badass98svt]

on 3/18/2009 So, how do you physically braid a money tree? Any tips?

[GreenGardenChic]

on 11/9/2008 I live the look of mingling plants. Great tips for a good looking garden.

[soanyway]

on 11/9/2008 Thanks! good information