Kusamono
Is the term that refers to companion plantings that are made up by combining several different species together. Some very beautiful arrangements can be created in this way. The larger examples can be displayed in their own right or as a companion to bonsai when shown in a formal display. They should be sympathetic with the respective season.
When planting up a kusamono do make sure that you select plants that have similar growing needs or conditions. For example, plants that prefer wet and boggy conditions should not be combined with plants that prefer dryer conditions. Also pay attention to the choice of plants so that various textures in the leaves can be contrasted in colour as well as in height and shape. The photographs will illustrate this better. Once again, use moss to fill the gaps between the plants so as to hide the soil. I tend to grow my kusamono as ‘short-term’ plantings as they can easily out-grow their containers and you will often find that one or other of the plants used will dominate the arrangement to the detriment of the others. So, one or two years is my usual maximum before I dismantle the arrangement and start again. Finally, if you do want your arrangements to last longer, then make sure that you only combine ‘perennial’ plants together and that you do not mix them with ‘annuals’ as the annual plants will not survive for more than a year.
