Some gardeners are convinced that camellias should never be asked to share their space with other plants and that all eyes should be focused on these lovely evergreen shrubs. Others prefer a more diverse garden where the landscape is shared by a variety of camellia companion plants.
If you’re wondering about suitable companions for camellias, keep in mind that while color and form are important, it’s also critical to consider growing habits. Many plants play nice with camellias, but others just aren’t compatible. Read on for tips on planting with camellias.
Healthy Camellia Plant Companions
Camellias are glorious in a shade garden, and they are especially effective when planted along with other shade-loving plants. When it comes to choosing camellia plant companions, consider plants such as hostas, rhododendrons, ferns, or azaleas.
Camellias are shallow-rooted plants, which means they won’t thrive next to trees or shrubs with long, complex root systems. For instance, you may want to avoid poplars, willows, or elms. Better choices may include magnolia, Japanese maple, or witch hazel.
Like rhodies and azaleas, camellias are acid-loving plants that prefer a pH range between 5.0 and 5.5. They get along well with other plants that have similar tastes, such as:
Plants such as clematis, forsythia, or lilac prefer more alkaline soil and probably are not good choices for camellia plant companions.
What to Plant With Camellias
Here are a few more ideas for companion planting with camellias:
- Daffodils
- Bleeding heart
- Pansies
- Lily of the valley
- Primrose
- Tulips
- Bluebells
- Crocus
- Hellebore (including Lenten rose)
- Aster
- Bearded iris
- Coral bells (Heuchera)
- Crepe myrtle
- Liriope muscari (Lilyturf)
- Daylilies
- Heather
- Daphne
- Garden phlox
- Coreopsis (Tickweed)
- Japanese anemone
- Trillium
- Japanese forest grass (Hakone grass)
-
How To Put Lights On A Tree Outside – The Right Way To Wrap A Tree For A Dazzling DisplayThe holidays are on the horizon and we’ve been wondering how to put lights on a tree outside. Fortunately, our experts have the answers.
-
5 Best Winter Indoor Plants To Grow To Turn Your Home Into A Cozy Houseplant HideawayKeep your home (and heart) warm and bright during the chilly months with these gorgeous winter indoor plants – guaranteed to boost your seasonal happiness factor!
-
Yuletide Camellia: How To Grow And Care For Yuletide CamelliasLearning more about the Yuletide camellia's care can help you decide whether or not this shrub is a good choice for your home landscape.
-
Indoor Camellia Care – How To Grow A Camellia HouseplantCamellias are normally grown outdoors, but you can grow camellias indoors if you give them proper conditions. Learn more here.
-
Holes In Camellia Leaves: Controlling Camellia Weevils And BeetlesCamellias have gorgeous blooms but their beauty can be significantly marred by holes in camellia leaves. If your camellia plant has holes, it is most likely the result of the camellia vine weevil or cranberry rootworm beetle. Learn how to combat them here.
-
My Camellias Won't Bloom – Tips For Making Camellias FlowerAlthough camellias are generally reliable bloomers, they can be stubborn at times. It?s frustrating, but sometimes, even healthy camellias won?t bloom. If you?re wondering how to make non-flowering camellia plants bloom, click here for more information.
-
Camellia Transplanting: Learn How To Transplant A Camellia BushIf your camellias outgrow their planting sites, you'll want to start thinking about transplanting camellias. Click here for information about camellia transplanting, including tips on how to transplant a camellia and when to move a camellia bush.
-
Tips On Treating Bud Mites On CamelliasToday's camellias are easy-to-grow evergreen plants, as tough and rugged as they are beautiful. But that doesn't mean that camellia lovers shouldn't prepare for insect pests, like camellia bud mites. Click here for information about mites on camellia plants.
-
Camellia Container Care: How To Grow A Camellia In A PotAlthough camellias can be somewhat picky about their growing conditions, container grown camellias are definitely possible. Learn how to grow a camellia in a pot using the information in the following article. Click here for more info.
-
Growing Camellia: Ultimate Camellia Planting And Care GuideWhen early spring rolls around it’s time to think about camellia planting and care. One of the most beautiful shrubs with, brilliant foliage and stunning blooms, it deserves some devoted attention.
