Summary

Azaleasare from theRhododendrongenus . Their red , pink , regal , orangish , yellow-bellied , and white flowers have made them a deary of gardeners for century of years .

Several plants spring up well as companion plants to azaleas . Companion plantsbenefit each other , help keep the soil healthy , and thrive in the same environs . Discover some of the full plants to join your azaleas and ensure a happy garden !

Preferred Environment for Azaleas and Their Companion Plants

Azaleas follow in evergreen plant and deciduous varieties . The leaves of evergreen plant assortment remain prominent year - rotund . These azalea prefer partial shade with about four hours of sun each day . The leaves of deciduous azalea drop off in the winter . These azalea fly high in full sun — at least six hours day by day .

Many azaleasbloom in April , with blossom that last up to four week . This bloom sentence diverge , however , base on the variety . Some re - blooming crossbreed , such as encore azaleas , may bring flush in spring , summer , and come . Azaleas thrivein zones 5 to 9 .

Other than their sunlight preferences , all other originate atmospheric condition are the same between deciduous and evergreen azalea . Both prefer slightly acidic soil with a pH range between 4.5 to 6 . They also have shallow root systems . Because of these shallow roots , ensure the grime ismoist but well - draining . About 2 inches of mulch help keep their roots moist and nerveless . Consider a mulch made of pine needles or oak sawdust to help the land keep an acidic pH stage .

The three sisters growing in a garden

Find plants that favor similar environments when considering which plants to go alongside azalea . Also , choose companion industrial plant with deep theme system to insure they ’re not competing .

Azaleas and many of their companion plants can be toxic to humanity , dogs , hombre , and horses .

Companion Planting by Design

In addition to see an ideal turn environment , consider theoverall design . For example , plant life with contrast colour , vary textures , and different heights contribute machination to a garden . When considering companion plant to bring together your azalea , consider their flower time and people of colour , leaf pattern , and sizing .

Azalea-Friendly Plants

These plants get along with azaleas , sharing standardised necessitate growing conditions such as acidulent , moist , well - drain grime while adding depth , knockout , and contrast to your garden .

1. Rhododendrons

Both azalea and rhododendron are from theRhododendrongenus . And , like all family unit members , they own several differences . Rhododendronstend to be larger , with some variety produce up to 20 feet all-embracing . Additionally , rhododendron leaves are leathery and big than azalea leaf , cater textural dividing line within your garden .

Depending on the variety , rhododendron may bloom in early spring to late summer . Like azalea , they flourish in acidic land with a pH of 4.4 to 6 , partial subtlety with up to four time of day of direct sun , and well - draining , damp grime . They take about 1 inch of water each week . Rhododendrons prefer zones 5 to 8 .

2. Mountain Laurel

muckle laurelis a dense , bushy shrub that grows slap-up in timberland and cottage garden , reach summit of 20 substructure . Like azaleas , it grows in acidic soils and partial shade , making it a great companion flora .

Like the rhododendron , mountain laurel is a relative of azalea . It convey an abundance of pale white - pinkish , bell - like flush with rosiness - colour in spots that blossom in later spring and early summer . They also possess loggerheaded , shining farewell that impart a different texture to your garden . Some unique varieties include ' Firecracker , ' a mountain Stan Laurel that hand up to 7 animal foot tall and come with bright red bud that deliver pink flowers . gnome varieties that grow from 3 to 5 feet marvelous include ' Tinkerbell ' and ' Elf . '

tidy sum laurel flourish in moist , well - enfeeble grease , with a pH of 4.5 to 6 , and savour three to four hours of direct sunshine . They are hardy in zones 5 to 9 .

Gardener watering tomatoes in the vegetable patch

3. Japanese Pieris

Japanese pierisis an evergreen bush that grow up to 12 foot grandiloquent and is also an ideal fellow traveler plant for azaleas . It has white , urn - shaped flowers that droop in clusters , flower from early to late spring . It has over 50 hybrids , include ' Brookside ' and ' Mountain Fire . ' ' Mountain Fire ' bring beautiful , vibrant cherry-red fresh folio that become shiny light-green as they mature . Like azalea , they thrive in woodland sphere . They are also idealistic for bush borders and develop up to 8 feet magniloquent .

' Brookside ' put up a small 1- to 2 - foot bush , contrasting azalea ’s height nicely . Some other alone hybrid include ' Valley Rose ' with pastel pinkish flowers and ' Flamingo Silver ' with leaves that originate red with pinkish edge , finally twist a silver white . These varieties furnish textural and color contrast .

Japanese pieris prefers moist , well - draining land with a pH of 5 to 6.5 . It needs fond tad , about three to six hours daily . Japanese pieris thrive in zones 5 to 8 .

An image of cicada apocalypse

4. Lily of the Valley

Lily of the valleyis a shade - lovingground coverthat brings beautiful white , fragrant , Alexander Melville Bell - shaped flowers from April to June . It also prefers fond shade , with 2 to 6 hours of direct sunlight , and acidic stain , with a pH below 6 . These are excellent companion plants to azalea , thriving in the same environment while providing a broken canopy stratum . The red berries and other parts of the plant life are highly poisonous . Lily of the vale thrives in zones 5 to 8 .

5. Autumn Fern

Autumn fern ( Dryopteris erythrosora)is a small fern that reaches 2 feet tall . These plants spread easy and , due to their little size , makeexcellent ground coverunder trees and in woodland gardens where azalea thrive . Their frond offer a beautiful backdrop for azalea and their fellow companion plant .

They tolerate deep to fond shade , with less than two 60 minutes to up to six hours of lineal sunshine , and prefer a grunge pH of less than 6 . fall ferns are fearless in zones 6 to 12 .

6. Oak Trees

Themajestic oak tree treemakes a great azalea familiar . These Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree provide partial tincture that azaleas love , and their fallen leaves help uphold the requisite acidulous stain . institute them along the border of the canopy also check they encounter the sunshine and fond shade they ask .

Remember that oak tree diagram can diffuse up to 120 feet , so plant them at least 15 to 30 substructure away from your house , depending on the variety . These tree grow best in full sun , receiving a minimum of six hours a day . Once established , they require about 1½ to 2 inches of water every other calendar week . Their preferent geographical zone vary base on the diversity . For instance , live oak thrive in zones 7 to 10 , while the burr oak is intrepid in zones 3 to 8 .

Bring Beauty to Your Garden With Azaleas and Their Companion Plants!

Planting your azalea with companion plants that appreciate the same growing surroundings ensures everyone flourish ! From rhododendron to Japanese pieris , you could find the idealistic plants to mature alongside your beautiful azaleas .

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Purple rhododendrons

Mountain laurel flowers.

Japanese pieris

Lily of the Valley in soil.