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The Perfect Pairings for Chartreuse Plants in the Garden

June 16, 2024

I’ve turned into a weird hoarder when it comes to Chartreuse colored plants in my garden. They have always been a favorite of mine.  It only takes a few to make a really big impact, so I find myself making extra efforts to place them in just the right spot. I think harder about where to put plants with Chartreuse foliage than I do any other colored plant – probably because I know it will draw me in like a kid to an ice cream truck.  In my obsessing, I’ve started to develop a bit of preference for a few specific color combos.

What colors go with chartreuse plants in the Garden?

Columbine and sunshine blue caryopteris by rochelle greayer www.pithandvigor.com
Purple Columbine and sunshine blue caryopteris in the background. by rochelle greayer.

Chartreuse & Purple Plant Combinations

The idea of a purple and green or yellow (Chartreuse being the sum of these two) color scheme inside my home is something I’d never be tempted towards, but in the garden, it is an all-time favorite. Chartreuse and purple (being opposites on the color wheel) are a dynamic pairing that can swing from being light and airy (as with the combination of the columbine and the foliage of the Sunshine Blue Caryopteris above) or it can be more regal and sumptuous as with the deeply colored purple heucheras (see below – try Heuchera ‘Velvet Night‘ or Heuchera Blackberry Ice ).

Chartreuse foliage plants & Silver Blue Leaved plants

Or consider the chartreuse plante with some that has silver blue leaves (just put your hand over the part of the screen where the heuchera is to get the full effect in the image below).  The brightly colored leaves of Lime Time Coleus with the blue recalls calming waters and is a soothing and textural combination.  You might also get this effect from combining Chartreuse leaf plants with Cape Town Blue Felicia Daisy or Elijah Blue Festuca.

A top view of the Chartreuse Garden's various lush green leaves, including bright green leaves in the top left, a large blue-green leaf in the bottom left, and purple-tinged leaves on the right side, creating a vibrant and varied foliage composition.
Leafy Coleus (chartreuse colored variety), purple heuchera, and blue hosta image by rochelle greater.

Mix Chartreuse Colored leaves with White Flowers

Chartreuse colored foliage and white flowering plant combinations are one of my favorites- when they are paired, they inevitably give off a calming, cool, and sophisticated vibe. The White Out Rose with its near black leaves becomes fresher and a little less stuffy when the Lime Time Coleus foliage is near.

white out star rose with Lime time coleus by rochelle greayer www.pithandvigor.com
White out star roses with Lime time coleus by rochelle greayer www.pithandvigor.com.

And I am not sure there is a prettier combination than Chartreuse and the pale blush peach of the roses just before they open.  Which brings me to my last combo…

Unexpected Chartreuse Leaves with Blush Peach Blooms

A close-up of a yellow iris flower surrounded by white daisies with yellow centers, set amidst the lush green leaves of a chartreuse garden. The petals of the iris are frilly and delicate, contrasting beautifully with the simplicity of the daisy petals.
Coleus limetime, white daises, and yellow/white iris. By Rochelle Greayer.

In another area of my garden, a generous planting of Leucanthemum white daisies lends wildness to the garden.  They are tamed a bit by the bold Lime Time Coleus leaves, but when the elegant blush-colored iris (I wish I knew the variety – it came with the house) is part of the mix, everything becomes quite serene and fresh.  For a similar pairing, try Chartreuse leaved plants with Oso Easy Peachy Cream Roses, or Rainbow Rhythm™ ‘Siloam Peony Daylilies.

This versatile color can also be paired with neutrals like gray or white for a more subtle yet elegant look.

Other Possible Plants with Chartreuse Foliage and Flowers

Chartreuse can certainly be paired with other colors.  I can hear my mother’s fashion advice from when I was a kid….”Green goes with everything; if Mother Nature can do it, so can you”.  True – but I tend to think that some are better than others.

Close-up of a cluster of vibrant blue flowers with delicate petals and yellow centers, set against a background of green leaves in a Chartreuse garden. The image highlights the intricate details and rich colors of the blossoms.
Lobelia Midnight Blue is as close as you can get to navy blue in a flower. This deep, rich color is a counterbalance to the acidic shades of lime green plants. image by By tamu66
Close-up of large, vibrant chartreuse hosta leaves with prominent veining and texture. The leaves overlay each other, creating a layered effect. Brown leaves and some soil are visible underneath the plant, enhancing the garden scene. The image captures the lush, healthy foliage of the hosta plant.
Hosta Sum and Substance is a very large variety (clumps can be 6′ wide) that has large light green chartreuse leaves. by F. D. Richards
Close-up of a blooming hydrangea paniculata with greenish-white flowers arranged in a cone-shaped cluster. The flower's branches are lined with vibrant green leaves, and the background, slightly blurred, hints at a serene Chartreuse Garden.
Hydrangea paniculata ‘Limelight’ displays huge pale green blooms. -by F. D. Richards
Close-up of two blooming yellow and brown irises with water droplets on the petals, nestled in a Chartreuse garden. The flowers have intricate patterns and are surrounded by green leaves and stems. The background is blurred, highlighting the details of the irises.
Iris pseudata ‘Antique Brass’ has chartreuse spring foliage and flowers that are bright golden yellow with a red overlay. Image by F. D. Richards
Close-up image of a vibrant pink peony bloom surrounded by delicate, chartreuse foliage. The large, ruffled petals of the peony contrast beautifully with the small, lacy leaves that frame it, creating a lush and colorful garden arrangement.
Fuschia Peony with fresh lime green froth of alchemilla mollis. Image by Dana Moos.
A close-up of a flowering succulent plant with small, pink clusters of flowers. The plant has thick, round green leaves and grows among mossy rocks and gravel in a serene Chartreuse Garden.
Many varieties of sedum (including sedum Turquoise trails) have a turquoise hue to the foliage. It looks great next to the chartrues leaves of creeping charlie.

Chartreuse’s vibrant yellow-green hue, pairs beautifully with navy blue for a classic and sophisticated color combination. (See lobelia Midnight blue, Blue Gentiana or bottle gentian, or varieties of salvia or baptisia).

For a more daring look, consider mixing chartreuse with fuchsia (like peonies or a whole variety of other flowers) or turquoise (a little thicker to find, but textural sedum and other succulents are reliably bright blue) for a fun and modern twist.

Do you have a favorite Chartreuse foliage combo?  If so, let us hear about it.

Love Chartreuse and Playing with Color in the Garden? – read more:

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