Gardening can be a daunting task when deciding on plants to fill a new, or existing flower bed. Just go to your local garden center, and you’ll know what I mean. There are endless options of annuals, perennials, shrubs, and ornamental trees. Not to mention the fact that the plants you choose need to be compatible in terms of maintenance and care. Planting something like lavender that doesn’t need much water next to hydrangeas, which need lots of water, is probably a bad idea. Here are five perennials for all season interest, and companion plants that can be planted with them!
1. Brunnera Macrophylla 'Jack Frost' - Commonly called Siberian bugloss
Siberian Bugloss is it’s common name, Brunnera Macrophylla ‘Jack Frost’ is a great option for shade gardens. It mounds with heart shaped silver foliage with dark green veining. It can spread up to 1.50ft, so it’s perfect for ground cover. Because it’s a zone 3-8 perennial, it’s versatile in most climates. However, in zones 7-9, the plant will struggle as it dislikes overly hot, and humid temperatures. Since it’s foliage remains attractive from spring well into the end of summer, it fills in spaces where spring plants die off and leave an empty space.
Companion Plant: Tuberhybrida Begonia. A shade loving annual with hardiness zone 10-11, that blooms spring to first frost with average watering needs.
2. Rhododendron 'Girard Crimson'
Known as Girard Crimson Azalea, this evergreen shrub is an eye catching addition to any garden. It re-blooms gorgeous magenta flowers in the spring, and retains its leaves in the winter, which begin to take a copper shade. Girard Crimson Azalea grows as high as 2ft-4ft tall and 3ft-4ft wide. Despite its width, the shrub stays compact, and round providing a more tidy garden interest with low maintenance. It’s perennial in zones 5-8, and thrives in partial shade with little watering, and well drained soil. If your soil tends to be on the more alkaline side, amending it before planting this shrub will yield the best performance. The Girard Crimson Azalea is really a flexible shrub that can be used as a hedge, a foundation plant, or even a single specimen.
Companion Plant: Salvia Nemorosa ‘Caradonna’ – Perennial herbaceous plant that can be placed in full sun or partial shade. Grows 1-2ft tall and wide, with little maintenance. As a drought tolerant plant it has average water needs. This low growing plant offers color from June through September, when the azalea is no longer in bloom.
3. Hydrangea Macrophylla - 'Blushing Bride'
Coming in at number three, the Blushing Bride Hydrangea is a favorite of both novice, and experienced gardeners. It’s hardiness zone is 5-9, which makes it a great option for colder climates. It blooms on old wood in the spring and new wood in the summer, so cutting stems to enjoy indoors won’t risk cutting off next years blooms. This feature sets it apart from other Bigleaf Hydrangeas. As long as you cut just above the next buds. It’s milky white petals age to a soft pink offering a calming balance to any garden color scheme. However, testing your soil will give you a better idea whether the blooms will take on the soft pink shade, or gravitate to a blue shade. It matures to 3-6ft tall and wide so spacing is important when planting in a flower bed. One important factor in maintaining this shrub is to water consistently. Planting in masses, as a border, or as a specimen plant are all ways to introduce this lovely shrub to your landscape.
Companion Plant: Buxus microphylla var. Japonica – ‘Winter Gem Boxwood’ – A Classic companion to hydrangeas, boxwoods offer compact hedging while hydrangeas peak up and out from behind. The ‘Winter Gem’ and ‘Winter Green’ variety don’t have the odor that accompanies many other boxwood varieties. Plant in full sun or partial shade and water regularly.
4. Helleborus Winter Jewels 'Amethyst Gem'
Sometimes referred to as Lenten Rose ‘Amethyst Gem’ because it blooms around the Christian holiday of Lent, this winter gem is a welcomed show during those cold winter months. At USDA plant hardiness zone 4-9, it’s a tough perennial. It grows 1.5ft tall and wide, and performs optimally in mostly shady spots, or dappled winter sunlight. The main concern is to protect them from cold winds. Because the flowers are nodding, Helleborus are often planted in elevated sloping landscapes, so their blooms can be seen. Double cup-shaped flowers in deep reddish purple make the best impact when planted in masses. As long as the soil is moist and well drained, Helleborus only need to be watered consistently during the first growing season. This will allow for well established roots.
Companion Plant: Crocus – zone 3-9 bulb that blooms in early spring. Like the helleborus, they like well-drained soil. They are 3″- 6″ at mature height, adding dimension when planted around the perimeter of the ‘Amethyst Gem’.
5. Blue Holly - Ilex x meserveae 'Blue Princess'
Last but not least is the Blue Holly – Ilex x Meserveae ‘Blue Princess’. An elegant evergreen that reaches 10ft-15ft tall and 6ft-8ft wide with small dainty white flowers in the spring. The glossy leaves are deep green with thorny margins. As a female, the Blue Princess will yield red (non-eatable) fruit in the fall if pollinated. A male blue holly like Ilex x Meserveae Blue Prince planted near by will pollinate up to five females. Although its hardy down to zone 4-7, it might need winter protection within the colder zones it falls into. Be sure to plant this evergreen where there is plenty of space for it to grow into it’s natural height and width. This will avoid over-trimming just to fit a tight space, which would result in less flowers, and less fruit in the fall. Water extensively in the first year to establish roots.
Companion Plant: Ilex x Meserveae ‘Blue Prince’. This variety won’t grow fruit, but it will pollinate the Ilex x Meserveae ‘Blue Princess’. USDA zone hardiness 4-7.
Shown here is the Castle Spire® Ilex x meserveae ‘Hachfee’ by Proven Winners. A male variety is a great companion, such as Castle Wall®, which can also pollinate up to 5 females.
Finding the just the right perennial, or annual for your garden can be overwhelming. Thinking about the needs that different plants must have in common in order to pair well with each other, while offering all season interest is a little tricky. Be sure to keep watering and sun light needs in mind, as well as soil consistency and pH. I hope this post is helpful in your search for ideas to create a garden that you will really love throughout the year. Thanks for stopping by.
This post is not sponsored.