I was thinking that it would be awesome if the database for each plant had companion or combination photos involving a plant. We could upload that plant's photos and what we think it looks great with. I would love to be able to see what other people have combined a plant with. I have so many combinations and this seems to be a big topic among all of us.

I had actually at one point talked with Trish about having a feature similar to this, but I didn't see it as directly tied into the database but more of a "Webapps" type feature. The idea was that you could upload a photo (or series of photos) and then give information about all the different plants that are present, and then these plant names would link into the database.

I was unsure how exactly it would be best presented and so I kind of stopped thinking about it. But I still like the idea.

I like that idea, too! No matter how you decide to implement it. I can see that adding that as a gallery category in the database could get a bit unwieldy, tho. Sounds like it does need it's own little separate corner of the site. Although maybe it could work as a type of "Idea?"

I was thinking like if I was buying a Heuchera such as 'Delta Dawn' I could click a link and it would have combinations with it in the photo. The person has to list all of the plants in the photo. I notice lately how important this kind of information is. I have received so many awesome ideas here!

I would love to see this feature, it would be very useful.
Clint has come up with so many great combinations in his garden, along with many other members here at ATP. It would be amazing to easily access them.

Maybe there could be a separate area of the database for Companion Plants. Each photo uploaded would have a list of all the plants in the picture, and those names would link to each plant's entry in the database, and vice versa. Could that work?

That was what I originally had thought of.

That sounds wonderful.

As an aside, I've gone to 'Ideas' and done a search for 'companion plants' or 'companion planting' and it brings up any articles or ideas that pertain to the topic. Of course that's not as easily done as having it connected in the database, but it is helpful. Trouble is you have to read through everything if you are looking for a specific plant.

I've found the Garden Tour articles to be particularly helpful because the plants are shown in full views in members' gardens.

Still time consuming, though.

As someone who just recently was scrounging around looking for companion planting ideas, I would LOVE to see this incorporated into the database. Not going to be any instant gratification, of course, because the whole concept will depend on members uploading group photos with individual plants identified, but oh my it would be such a nice feature!