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:
Pieris
Hydrangea
Fothergilla
Dogwood
Gardenia
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)
