Marriage of Convenience

Not every planting in my garden is well-planned.  One season I was running out of time and nursery grown annuals,  but still had one empty pot left to fill on the main dining patio.  I took the last magenta New Guinea impatiens, grabbed a Japanese painted fern (Athyrium niponicum var. pictum) waiting for a more permanent installation, and pulled up some spreading hostas (Hosta 'Clausa') from under the Kousa dogwood.  They filled the pot and looked fine.

I never expected the planting to last more than one season. However, several years later, the fern has grown and the hostas have spread, leaving no room for annual additions.  I love the white-tinged fern fronds peeking out from the solid-green, ribbed hosta leaves.

This unlikely pair, combined on a whim, is destined to be together (as long as the pot holds out).