5 ideas for pairing achimenes

To create a coloured border

With their compact and low forms (approximately 30-50 cm in height and 40-50 cm in width), the Achimenes are ideal plants for use in border beds. They will create lovely, vibrant borders to adorn sunny flower beds, provided the sun is not too harsh. For example, choose an Achimene in shades of blue. For the duration of summer, this small, fast-growing plant, which typically begins to flower in May, can form beautiful creeping clumps to place, for instance, between begonias. Also consider pairing it with a Calibrachoa ‘Superbells Unique Blue Violet’ with its royal blue trumpet-shaped flowers, the lovely Verbena ‘Endurascape Blue Imp’, and other annual plants such as dipladenia and lobelias in stunning blues. Also think about pairing it with a Salvia farinacea ‘Sallyfun Sky Blue’, a variety of mealy sage grown as an annual.

A Plectranthus coleoides ‘Variegatus’ with variegated white foliage will add a bright touch to the ensemble. With their bright yellow flowers, small horned violets like Viola cornuta ‘Sorbet Xp F1 Yellow’ will provide a remarkable complementary splash of colour alongside these blue flowers.

Blue Achimene, Plectranthus coleoides ‘Variegatus’, Endurascape ‘Blue Imp’ Verbena, Begonia multiflora ‘Bijou de Gand’, Calibrachoa ‘Superbells Unique Blue Violet’, yellow horned viola, and lobelias

In a monochrome display

The rich colour palette of Achimenes, ranging from blue to red and pure white, allows for all variations, from the most subdued to the most vibrant. Some cultivars lend themselves well to a monochrome summer display in refreshing tones. In a large pot, wider than it is tall, place an Achimene ‘White’. Accompany it with Iberis sempervirens ‘Snowflake’ in white, a Dipladenia Diamantina ‘Jade White’, or even a ornamental tobacco ‘Perfume White’ with star-shaped and fragrant pure white trumpets. Lighten the arrangement with a tuft of grass such as ‘Little Bunny’ Chinese fountain grass. You can place your arrangement on the terrace or balcony in summer, in a gently sunny spot sheltered from the wind.

White Achimene, Pennisetum ‘Little Bunny’, Iberis sempervirens and Dipladenia Diamantina ‘Jade White’

A wildly flower-filled flowerbed!

Achimenes form small rounded clumps that easily slip between more upright plants, concealing their base without suffering from their presence. In a mixed border of summer flowers, they quickly fill in the gaps left empty. Mix them with small agapanthuses, spider flowers cleomes, or cosmos. Complete the scene with petunias, Peruvian heliotropes, a very bushy annual, and small carex. Integrate alongside them the sunny flowers of anthemis, or even lantanas, such as ‘Evita Yellow’ with bright yellow flowers.

Achimenes, Carex flaca ‘Blue Zinger’, Agapanthus, Peruvian Heliotrope, Cleomes, and Cosmos

In a suspension of fiery hues

Warm-toned flowers complement each other beautifully. Create a stunning hanging display in a vibrant spirit by combining the flamboyant palette of certain mixed-colour Achimenes. They offer a fantastic spectacle! This type of composition evokes their little tropical side. With their beautifully trailing habit, they are very easy to combine in hanging displays with other annual plants. They are perfect for cascading from a bowl or hanging basket. Place alongside them a Begonia pendula ‘Orange’ with a semi-trailing habit and a long flowering period of bright orange, a Verbena ‘Voodoo Red Star’, a Diascia ‘Genta Ruby’ or a Petunia Surfinia ‘Deep Red’ that forms cascades of red flowers. You will create a durable and very cheerful decor throughout the beautiful season. Add lightness with a grass such as Carex testacea ‘Lime Shine’ or with Dichondra ‘Silver Falls’, with its surprising small, almost pearlescent round silver foliage.

Colourful mixed Achimenes, Verbena ‘Voodoo Red Star’, Surfinia ‘Deep Red’, Dichondra ‘Silver Falls’ and Begonia pendula ‘Orange’

Contrast games

The Achimenes display vibrant and varied colours, allowing for striking chromatic contrasts. Create a beautiful contrasting duo by pairing the vermilion red flowers of Achimenes ‘Red’ with the electric blue corollas punctuated with white spots of Petunia ‘Night Sky’. Try a more nuanced combination by associating it with the Lobelia ‘Hot Water Blue’, which boasts an abundant sky-blue flowering.

For a more bohemian vibe, pair the Blue Achimenes with the lovely golden yellow blooms of Pansy ‘Cool Wave® Golden Yellow’, a very trailing variety, particularly suited for hanging baskets or as groundcover in flower beds.

Red Achimenes and Petunia ‘Night Sky’

For further reading

• Discover our best ideas to flower your balconies and terraces
• The annual plants dress up the space offered to them in just a few weeks: discover our solutions!
• Discover our 7 pairing ideas to create beautiful summer planters