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Alena Samoylenko

Alena Samoylenko

Sustainable gardening, plant combinations, practical gardening advise for beginners

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  • 14.04.2026
  • shade garden
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Best Plants for Dry Shade Under Trees: My Top 3 Ferns That Actually Thrive

Ferns have always been among my favorite plants for shaded gardens.They bring a sense of calm, softness, and natural elegance that is very hard to achieve with other plant groups. What makes them especially valuable in design is their...

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  • 10.04.2026
  • shade garden
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Designing Under Trees: Dry Shade Planting with Mahonia ‘Soft Caress’

Areas beneath large trees are among the most challenging spaces in the garden. Lawns refuse to establish, and even shade-tolerant plants often struggle to survive. It’s not just the lack of light—these spaces are typically dry, with intense root...

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  • 04.02.2026
  • Planting Plans and Plant Combinations
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Aster ‘Mönch’ in the Garden: Design Ideas and Plant Combinations

The full botanical name of this plant is Aster × frikartii ‘Mönch’.In this post, we’ll look at four practical ways to use this aster in the garden, suitable for different conditions and design styles. Key Plant Information Aster ‘Mönch’...

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  • 29.01.2026
  • Planting Plans and Plant Combinations
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Centranthus ruber (Red Valerian) and Astrantia major: A Striking Yet Simple Pairing

One of my favorite plant combinations is Centranthus and Astrantia. These two perennials complement each other so naturally that at the peak of flowering, it’s impossible to look away. In this border, the Astrantia was already growing — likely...

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  • 22.01.2026
  • Planting Plans and Plant Combinations
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Salvia nemorosa ‘Amethyst’: Four Ready-to-Use Planting Schemes

Among the many cultivars of Salvia nemorosa, ‘Amethyst’ stands out as one of the most versatile perennials for modern flower borders. Its soft pink-lilac color integrates effortlessly into a wide range of planting palettes, while its naturally wide, well-branched...

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  • 15.01.2026
  • Butterfly garden
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Companion Plants for Buddleja ‘Miss Molly’: 3 Planting Schemes

If someone asked me to recommend a reliable, low-maintenance shrub for a sunny spot — one that flowers generously and asks for very little in return — Buddleja ‘Miss Molly’ would be one of the first plants to come...

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