Magic carpet spirea is a popular shrub known for its vibrant foliage and low-growing habit. It is a versatile plant that can be used in various garden settings and works well as a focal point or as a border plant. While it can thrive on its own, pairing it with compatible companion plants can enhance its overall appearance and create a beautifully coordinated garden. One of the popular companion plants for magic carpet spirea is lavender. The soft purple flowers and aromatic scent of lavender complement the bright foliage of spirea, creating a visually pleasing contrast. Additionally, lavender attracts pollinators such as bees and butterflies, which can benefit both plants.
Charlie quickly becomes not just Aster’s friend but his rock, giving him a safe place to talk about his feelings—and even to practice his burgeoning witch’s magic on her broken leg.
There he meets Charlie, a girl who broke her leg confronting her world s gender roles when she challenged a group of boys to a daredevil bicycle move and did it first. There he meets Charlie, a girl who broke her leg confronting her world s gender roles when she challenged a group of boys to a daredevil bicycle move and did it first.
Additionally, lavender attracts pollinators such as bees and butterflies, which can benefit both plants. Another suitable companion plant for magic carpet spirea is Russian sage. The tall and wispy nature of Russian sage creates a lovely backdrop for the low-growing spirea.
Book Review: THE WITCH BOY by Molly Knox Ostertag
Aster has a problem. He’s 13, the age at which he should know the animal into which he will shapeshift, a crucial part of growing up as a boy in his magical family. But Aster feels no connection to any animal, and doubts he will ever learn to shift. He’s far more interested in the potions and spells that his sister and female cousins are learning as they mature into full witches. But he’s always being chased away as he tries to eavesdrop on their lessons.
“This lesson isn’t for you,” his aunt tells him in the first pages of Molly Knox Ostertag’s graphic novel The Witch Boy. “These girls are learning secrets.”
Secrets of more than one kind abound in this book. Sensitive Aster isn’t the only family member who has known he’s a witch deep down inside: He’s heard the cautionary story of Mikasi, his matriarchal grandmother’s twin brother, who sought to become a witch and became a monster instead.
Teased by both his male and female cousins, Aster wanders away from his forest home to a nearby suburban neighborhood where he can practice mild magic without being observed. There he meets Charlie, a girl who broke her leg confronting her world’s gender roles when she challenged a group of boys to a daredevil bicycle move—and did it first.
Charlie quickly becomes not just Aster’s friend but his rock, giving him a safe place to talk about his feelings—and even to practice his burgeoning witch’s magic on her broken leg.
Tensions rise back in the forest as Aster’s shapeshifting cousins start disappearing—and when one returns in a horrible monstrous form, Aster is approached by the mysterious creature that had lured them all away. The creature says that it’s the only thing that can teach Aster how to shift, and if Aster agrees to learn, he’ll become more powerful than any other shifter. Aster has a choice: to take the creature’s help and become the shapeshifter his parents and whole family want him to be, or to use his witch’s abilities to try to rescue the other boys.
Ostertag neatly shifts story conventions as her sweet and sensitive male protagonist confronts gender stereotypes and restrictions. The story also hints at more than just a dichotomy of genders, late in the book introducing a character who is both a witch and shapeshifter. The illustrations are vivid and colorful, depicting the bright calm of Charlie’s world, the mystery and menace of Aster’s, and the nightmare landscape of the creature’s.
The Witch Boy is a powerful warning of the dangers—and hurt—that results when gender roles and expectations fail to recognize who people truly are. Highly recommended.
All things medieval fascinate children’s author Diane Magras: castles, abbeys, swords, manuscripts, and the daily life of medieval people, especially those who weren’t royalty. Diane lives in Maine with her husband and son and thinks often of medieval Scotland, where her stories are set. Her middle grade fantasy adventure The Mad Wolf’s Daughter (March 6, 2018, KD Books/Penguin Younger Readers) is her debut novel.
Secrets of more than one kind abound in this book. Sensitive Aster isn’t the only family member who has known he’s a witch deep down inside: He’s heard the cautionary story of Mikasi, his matriarchal grandmother’s twin brother, who sought to become a witch and became a monster instead.
Both plants prefer sunny locations and well-drained soil, making them compatible in terms of growing conditions. For those looking to add a splash of color to their garden, pairing magic carpet spirea with purple coneflower can be a great choice. The vibrant and daisy-like flowers of coneflower provide a pop of color against the spirea's foliage, creating a visually appealing combination. Additionally, coneflowers are low-maintenance and attract pollinators, making them a valuable addition to any garden. In addition to the above suggestions, other compatible companion plants for magic carpet spirea include catmint, black-eyed Susan, and salvia. These plants share similar growing requirements and can enhance the overall appearance of the garden when combined with spirea. When selecting companion plants for magic carpet spirea, it is important to consider factors such as sunlight exposure, soil conditions, and overall aesthetics. By choosing plants that complement each other in terms of growth habit, color, and cultural requirements, gardeners can create a harmonious and visually appealing landscape..
Reviews for "Maximizing Winter Interest: Best Plants to Pair with Magic Carpet Spirea"
1. Jane Doe - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with the recommended companion plants for the Magic Carpet spirea. I followed the suggestions and planted them alongside some purple asters and lavender, but the colors clashed horribly! The vibrant pink and orange blooms of the spirea were completely overshadowed by the purple tones of the other plants. It just looked messy and uncoordinated in my garden. I wish the recommendations had considered color harmony and given more thought to how the plants would look together.
2. John Smith - 1 star - I purchased the Magic Carpet spirea based on the promise that it would work well with other plants, but I was sorely disappointed. Not only did the companion plants recommended end up overshadowing the spirea's lovely foliage, but they also didn't thrive in the same conditions. The spirea requires full sun, while the suggested companion plants prefer partial shade. As a result, my garden looked mismatched and the other plants struggled to survive. I would have appreciated more accurate companion plant recommendations that took into account the different requirements of each plant.
3. Sarah Johnson - 3 stars - While I didn't hate the companion plants recommended for the Magic Carpet spirea, I found them to be quite ordinary and lacking in variety. The list suggested typical choices like daylilies and ornamental grasses, which are commonly seen in many gardens. I was hoping for some more unique suggestions that would add a touch of creativity and visual interest to my garden. Overall, I think the companion plant choices could have been more imaginative and offered a wider range of options to suit different preferences and styles.