Shrubs including boxwood, hollies, yews, mahonia, gardenia, and loropetalum look lovely planted in front of hydrangeas. Early color will come from azalea blossoms. Since the azalea flowers will have faded before your hydrangea blooms, you can choose your preferred blossom color.
During the winter, boxwoods and evergreen azalea species will provide some color. Depending on whether you want a formal or natural-looking landscape, boxwoods can be shaped or left in their natural state. These may also offer some wintertime protection from high winds.
What kind of flower goes nicely with azaleas?
Azaleas are unsurpassed for springtime beauty, but supplemental plantings can produce even more magnificent results and advantages. Here are a few azalea companion plants that will elevate the appearance of your yard.
Hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla)
Summer hydrangeas bloom with colorful, spectacular blossoms. Hydrangeas prefer acidic soil and filtered sunlight, just like the azalea. Hydrangeas come in a variety of vibrant colors. They are excellent pollinators because they draw hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies.
Mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia)
Rhododendron, azalea, and blueberry are also members of the heath family, which includes mountain laurel. This qualifies it as an appropriate azalea companion plant. Foragers like deer and rabbits are repelled by their dense, glossy leaves.
Blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium)
Acidic soil is ideal for low-bush blueberry shrubs since it helps them grow excellent fruit. They are excellent pollinators for native bees and butterflies but don’t draw pests. Blueberry bushes can thrive in dark regions even if they prefer full sun.
The following berry bushes also make excellent azalea companions:
- Lingonberry
- Bilberry
- Huckleberry
Bleeding heart (Dicentra spectabilis)
Bleeding hearts thrive in the shaded, tall-growing azaleas. Bleeding hearts have the advantage of dying back in the scorching summer, making space for new plants. Then, about the same time as azaleas in the early spring, they return and flower with delicate stems of red hanging, heart-shaped flowers.
Plantain lily (Hosta)
Hostas produce thick, summertime foliage. They do well in areas with some shade and some sunlight. Hostas and azaleas together provide a lush, elegant appearance. There are numerous Hosta cultivars with white and green or fully green leaves.
Spotted dead nettle (Lamium maculatum)
This plant, also known as beacon silver, stands out for its silver foliage when placed close to an azalea that is in bloom and is vibrant. It creates lovely ground cover, making it perfect for planting around azalea bushes and other companion plants.
Holly (Ardisia crenata)
Your azaleas look lovely next to the holly. It features vivid red berries and dark green, evergreen foliage. Hollies prefer acidic soil and excellent drainage, just like azaleas do. Mockingbirds and other songbirds are drawn to holly.
Barberry (Berberis buxifolia)
Your azalea garden really stands out with barberry shrubs. This shrub has red and gold winter fruit that entices pollinators. It is simple to grow and works well for borders and hedges. They need the same conditions for growth as azaleas.
Summersweet (Clethra alnifolia)
Summersweet is also known as clethra and sweet pepperbush. These shrubs make excellent companions for azaleas that bloom in the spring because they bloom in big clusters of white or pink flowers in the late summer.
Acidic soil and good drainage are other preferences of summersweet. For pollination, it draws bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.
Snowball bush (Viburnum acerifolium)
The Snowball Bush, often called Viburnum, has eye-catching white bloom balls. They don’t need much upkeep and are easy to cultivate in your azalea yard. This shrub prefers acidic soil and dappled sunlight. They resist foraging animals and are perfect for pollinator gardens.
Witch hazel (Hamamelis mollis)
Witch hazels come in a variety of sizes, from big bushes to little trees. They are excellent azalea companion plants due to their neutral summer foliage that becomes golden in the fall.
They are a nice compliment to an azalea garden since they have little flowers that bloom in the fall.
Can I plant azaleas in the vegetable garden?
Azaleas are not advised for vegetable gardens because most plants require direct sunshine to develop. Additionally, azaleas develop into substantial bushes with unsuitable subsurface roots for growing vegetables.
Are there plants you shouldn’t plant with azaleas?
Azaleas should not be planted near any flowers or crops that demand full sun. Each has incompatible growing conditions.
What are the best growing conditions for azaleas?
Azaleas thrive in well-drained soil that is partially shaded. Mulch should be placed all around azaleas to keep moisture in and discourage weed growth.
What are the necessary soil conditions for azaleas?
Azaleas require soil that drains properly and has a pH under 6.0. Additionally, they need soil that contains organic matter, loam, and some sand.
Wrapping it up
By including a few companion plants that azaleas adore, you can make an exceptional azalea garden. These beneficial plants enhance the health of azaleas, draw pollinators, and add organic matter to the soil. Try companion planting for a stunning, spectacular, and healthy azalea landscape.
Azaleas
Partial of the greatest plants to grow next to hydrangeas include azaleas and rhododendrons because they share similar preferences for some shade and high-quality organic mulch.
These plants also prefer somewhat acidic soil, just like blue hydrangeas do. Avoid the pink ones or let them turn blue because they prefer more alkaline soil and won’t thrive with acid-loving azaleas.
Azaleas are wonderful companions for any acid-loving plants because they are not troubled by insects or illnesses. Try the white or yellow-flowering varieties to contrast with blue hydrangeas for a magnificent spectacle. White hydrangeas look good with any shade of pink or salmon.
The majority of azaleas bloom throughout the spring and into the summer, but other kinds bloom at other times of the year to keep the garden interesting.
Heuchera
This perennial plant is renowned for its eye-catching leaf, which comes in hues of rose, gold, lime green, purple, and red.
These North American natives, sometimes known as Coral Bells, thrive in shady woodland settings and are wonderful companion plants for hydrangeas.
In the spring and summer, they produce tiny bell-shaped flowers that are rich in nectar and draw a large number of pollinators, such as butterflies and birds.
When hydrangeas are in bloom, plant as a border in front of them and pick combinations that are aesthetically pleasing. White hydrangeas and lime green Coral Bells are one of the traditional combinations, but this adaptable plant has a wide range of uses.
Sweet Potato Vine
They produce masses of incredible colorful leaves that range in hue from gold, bronze, brown, and almost black to bright green, even though they prefer full sun. As a groundcover or border plant in front of hydrangeas, the compact size is ideal.
While there are hydrangea types for USDA zones 5 through 11, sweet potato vine grows best in zones 8 through 11, so that should be considered before planting.
Hostas
Another plant that complements hydrangeas admirably is the hosta, which prefers similar environmental factors.
Although some types may even grow in deep shadow, they thrive in partial shade. They also prefer nutrient-rich, somewhat acidic soil. Summertime brings forth the most in these plants, which brilliantly accentuate the hydrangea blossoms.
There are numerous sizes (ranging from one to three feet tall) and colors available, including green, lime green, blue green, and white variegated variations. Plant with hydrangeas as a border for a bounty of large leaves.
Where should azaleas not be planted?
Lack of nutrients in the soil is the most frequent cause of azaleas not developing.
Azaleas, on the other hand, are not particularly heavy feeders, so if the soil has been properly prepared, they might not need any additional fertilization. (Read my article on how to prepare garden soil for azalea planting.)
There are two main causes of low nutrition soils:
- Sandy soils (Inorganic materials like sand and stone can not effectively hold nutrients and do not supply many nutrients to the soil).
- A temporary nitrogen shortage in the soil might result from the application of mulch or soil additions that have not fully decomposed.
Azaleas need rich soils with a high organic content for healthy growth since these give the ideal soil structure, moisture balance, and nutrients needed for plants to flower and prosper.
Sandy soils have a propensity to drain too fast and are less effective at holding onto water-soluble nutrients (such as nitrogen and potassium) than soils with a higher amount of clay (loam soils are the best for growing azaleas).
If your azalea was planted in sandy soil, you will either need to dig it up and amend the soil with lots of organic matter, or you will need to transplant the azalea to pots or raised beds where the soil conditions may be easily altered to meet the needs of azalea. (Read my article for advice on the best potting mixture for azaleas.)
If the azalea appears to be in reasonably good health, I would advise you to amend the soil in the fall. This is the ideal time to relocate azaleas since the soil is still warm from the summer and has some moisture in it.
What attractively contrasts with azaleas?
Azaleas give home gardeners beautiful spring beauty that lasts from April through July, as seen in the Garden’s stunning new Azalea Garden (depending on the species). As opposed to deciduous azaleas, which frequently have multi-seasonal appeal and magnificent fall foliage, evergreen azaleas offer interest all year long. Azaleas are slow-growing plants, thus many of them, with the exception of some of the bigger native deciduous plants, are suitable for foundation planting. It is simple to use azaleas in successful design by according to a few straightforward criteria.
Azaleas can be planted singly or in clusters as specimens. The royal azalea (Rhododendron schlippenbachii) is the perfect specimen plant since it has both superb spherical foliage that is arranged like pinwheels on the stems and brilliant pinkish-white flowers in late April/early May.
Rhododendron calendulaceum, a native flame azalea, blooms in late May to early June in a range of hues from blazing red-orange to yellow-orange (as the name would suggest). Specimens can rival any giant Viburnum in the garden, growing up to 12 feet tall and 5 feet broad. Because of their delicate form, flame azaleas do not appear crowded or dense when planted in large groups. Instead, they produce a nuanced color harmony that will brighten any landscape. Despite being deciduous, they can provide as temporary yard screening.
When planting azaleas in groups, be mindful of the blooming season. Azaleas can typically be divided into three groups based on when they bloom: early, mid, or late season. I’ve seen to gardens where the azaleas are skillfully arranged so that they bloom one after the other. As one azalea fades, its neighbor opens, bringing color for a considerable amount of time. Alternately, plant clusters of concurrently blooming azaleas to create a tapestry.
Avoid combining too many vibrant hues when using color in your landscape. Azaleas are available in a wide range of hues, including white, salmon, mauve, pink, purple, and every shade of red, orange, and yellow. To avoid being too overwhelming, combine vivid colors with lighter hues like white. Every design requires areas when the hues meld and the intensity is reduced so that the eye may rest and take in the sight.
When merging in groups, consider the size and growth pattern of your azaleas. There are numerous varieties of azaleas. Some people like to walk erect, whilst others tend to sprawl out or creep. A well-defined border, foundation, or rock garden would benefit greatly from the addition of little azaleas.
Match evergreens with each other and deciduous azaleas with other azaleas that are also deciduous. In a larger planting, it’s acceptable to mix deciduous and evergreen azaleas, but they often look best when planted side by side.
Azaleas should be strategically planted in your yard to lighten darker spots. I used to work at Garden in the Woods, a garden owned by the New England Wild Flower Society. Early ephemerals, local dogwoods (Cornus florida), redbuds (Cercis canadensis), and a variety of flowering azaleas set the landscape ablaze in the spring. Azalea specimens were scattered around the scene. Visitors were enticed to travel through the environment by a curving route that wound through the garden. The azaleas were spaced out to serve as focus points rather than planted in dense clusters, which created the illusion that the landscape went on forever and made the area appear larger.
Azileas can brighten or call attention to an unnoticed area by being planted in shaded corners. Garden bed curves can be highlighted in the spring by the vibrant burst of color. When not in bloom, evergreen azaleas give the landscape a strong framework and year-round structure. The majority of deciduous azaleas have an elegant habit and add structure all season long. Additionally, they play a significant role in the design of an autumn garden by accentuating certain regions late in the season and blending seamlessly with other plants that have fall-colored foliage.
Azaleas should be planted beside a variety of perennials and shrubs, both native and non-native. Plant ferns, wild ginger (Asarum), Solomon’s seal (Polygonatum), hostas (Hosta), toad lilies (Tricyrtis), and other woodland perennials with azaleas in the yard.
Azaleas should be planted with other flowering plants. By planting azaleas among other lovely shrubs, you may extend the flowering season and play around with the texture and foliage. The oak-leaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia), which grows well in partial shade and adds interest with its broad, oak-leaf foliage and late-season flowers, is an obvious choice. The dwarf fothergilla (Fothergilla gardenii) compliments smaller cultivated kinds, whereas the huge fothergilla (Fothergilla major) mixes nicely with large native azaleas.
Add spring bulbs under azaleas. Take advantage of the changing seasons in your garden. Pair daffodils (Narcissus) that bloom at the same time as spring-blooming azaleas to brighten the environment. White kinds with peach-colored corollas complement numerous color schemes.
Where should an azalea be planted?
The azalea, which is considered to be a symbol of the South, is actually mostly an Asian plant. A few of the plants with enormous pink, white, crimson, burgundy, or coral blossoms are native to the United States, but the majority are imports. No big deal! Because of their magnificent spring exhibition, they are a must in zones 6 to 9. Azaleas are among the “little work, great reward” shrubs, making them a shrub that is absolutely worth taking into account for your own garden and landscape.
How to Choose Azaleas
Too many azalea kinds exist to count them all. Consider the space you have available when choosing the ideal one for your garden. Look for a dwarf or smaller variety if you have a tiny garden. Some of the older Formosa varieties are excellent options if you need to fill a large amount of space. Re-blooming cultivars, which bloom numerous times a year, are offered by a number of firms. Do your study before purchasing as some of these can become pretty large.
Where to Plant Azaleas
Choose a place with filtered light, morning sun, and afternoon shade. Plants that are exposed to a hot sun all day may become stressed and more vulnerable to pests. Azaleas also need acidic, well-drained soil. Ideally, you should use a soil testing kit to determine the pH of the soil. If the pH is greater than 6.0, reduce it by adding aluminum sulfate to the soil in accordance with the directions on the product’s label.
How to Plant Azaleas
The type of azalea you are cultivating will determine how far apart you should plant them. Greater area is needed for larger bushes than for smaller ones. Although it is tempting to plant little plants near to one another, doing so will force you to remove every other azalea shrub. To find the proper spacing, read the plant tag, then take these actions:
- Place plants where you intend to plant them.
- Create a planting hole that is exactly as deep and twice as wide as the plant’s root ball.
- With the top of the root ball level with the soil line, remove the plant from its container and set it in the planting hole.
- Use the soil you removed in a 50:50 mixture with Miracle-Gro Garden Soil for Trees & Shrubs to fill up the area surrounding the plant. This will provide the plants with immediate nutrients and aid in their root development.
- Thoroughly water.
- Mulch should be applied in a layer around the plant’s roots, being careful not to pile it up against the plant. The soil will stay hydrated thanks to this.
How to Water Azaleas
During the first two months after planting, thoroughly wet the soil two to three times per week. As the roots develop, you can progressively reduce how frequently you water your plants. Once a week of thorough watering should be sufficient after three to four months. Plants shouldn’t require extra water after the first growth season unless it hasn’t rained in at least two weeks.
How to Feed Azaleas
Start feeding azaleas with Miracle-Gro Water Soluble Azalea, Camellia, Rhododendron Plant Food one month after planting. This fertilizer contains micronutrients like iron, manganese, and zinc, which are essential for developing azaleas in addition to the primary plant nutrients (and other acidic soil-loving plants). Make sure you adhere to label instructions.
How to Prune Azaleas to Control Size and Shape
You shouldn’t need to prune azaleas severely every year if you chose varieties that are suitable for the environment in which they are flourishing. Azaleas should be pruned as soon as they bloom in the spring.
Start by cutting away any branches that protrude substantially from the rest of the bush with hand pruners or loppers. Reduce those to the main branch. Then, decide if you need to cut the shrub down. Cut branches back to a whorl (circle) of leaves further down on the bush to greatly reduce size. Always ensure that you prune the shrub so that the bottom is a little bit broader than the top, allowing sunlight to reach all of the leaves.
How to Prune Azaleas to Renew Growth
Azaleas that are old, overgrown, or have an empty center can be revitalized with a severe trim. Before blossoming, in the late winter or early spring, pruning for renewal is performed. (If you do this, you’ll have to go without flowers for a year.)
Plants should be pruned to 12 inches above the ground. In order to promote branching, cut the ends of the new growth back by 6 inches as the plants start to re-grow. After renewal trimming, always keep the soil evenly moist and feed it frequently with Miracle-Gro Water Soluble Azalea, Camellia, and Rhododendron Plant Food. The meal will give the plants a boost because regrowth demands a lot of the plants.
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