By Andi Anderson
The 2026 Michigan Garden Plant Tour gave growers, landscapers, and gardening enthusiasts an opportunity to explore the latest ornamental plant varieties and creative combination planters. Organized through collaboration between Michigan State University and leading young plant producers, the event showcased innovative plant pairings designed to improve garden beauty and performance.
One of the key lessons from the tour was the importance of good design principles when creating combination planters. Successful combinations often begin with thoughtful color selection. Contrasting colors such as red and green, blue and orange, or yellow and purple create bold visual impact. Meanwhile, neighboring colors on the color wheel, such as pink and purple or red and orange, provide a harmonious and balanced appearance.
Plant growth habits and vigor are equally important. When combining plants, growers should select varieties that grow at similar rates. Fast-growing plants can quickly dominate slower-growing companions, reducing the overall visual appeal of the container. Well-balanced combinations create a more professional and attractive display throughout the growing season.
Several plant breeding companies have simplified the process by developing ready-made plant recipes. These combinations are carefully selected to provide coordinated colors, shapes, and flowering performance. Programs such as Syngenta Flowers' Kwik Kombos, Selecta's Trixi Combos, Ball FloraPlant's MixMasters, and Proven Winners container garden recipes offer growers proven options for successful displays.
Among the standout combinations featured during the tour was Proven Winners' 2026 Recipe of the Year, "Saffron Sunrise," which combined Calibrachoa Superbells ‘Tropical Sunrise,’ Jamesbrittenia Safari ‘Dusk,’ and Petunia Supertunia ‘Saffron Finch.’ The warm color palette created an eye-catching and vibrant presentation.
Other popular combinations included Syngenta's "Beach Bum" planter featuring yellow calibrachoa, coral petunia, and peach verbena, as well as Ball FloraPlant's "Before You Know" MixMaster that blended coral, pink, and yellow petunias into a striking floral display.
The tour also highlighted themed color combinations. Warm-tone arrangements featuring salvia, euphorbia, and lantana created bright summer color. Patriotic containers combined red salvia, white euphorbia, and blue evolvulus to produce a classic red, white, and blue effect.
At Mast Young Plants, several creative window boxes and hanging baskets attracted attention. Designs showcased combinations of petunias, calibrachoas, lobelia, phlox, angelonia, lantana, tradescantia, and nemesia. These arrangements featured color themes including pink and silver, peach and yellow, red and orange, and purple and yellow.
The showcased combinations demonstrated how careful attention to color relationships, plant textures, and growth habits can transform ordinary containers into stunning garden features. Whether used in hanging baskets, window boxes, patio containers, or landscape plantings, these combinations provide inspiration for creating attractive outdoor spaces.
The 2026 Michigan Garden Plant Tour highlighted that successful plant combinations are not only colorful but also balanced and well-matched, ensuring long-lasting beauty and strong performance throughout the growing season.
Photo Credit: pexels-greta-hoffman
Categories: Michigan, Rural Lifestyle