20 Companion Plants for Camellias (with Pictures)

Camelia’s, also recognized as the queens of the winter, are stunning evergreen shrubs with the most breathtaking blooms. They are a amazing addition to any backyard garden bed, possibly on their personal or with some neighboring vegetation that will enhance their elegance. You can also pair them with other companion plants to boost the soil circumstances, defend them from pests, and increase h2o retention.

Camellias are available in distinct kinds and thrive in moist conditions with acidic, well-draining soil, dappled sun, and shelter from the wind. A great companion plant should be able to prosper in the identical developing conditions as Camelias, so let us have a search at which vegetation will make wonderful neighbors.

The Top 20 Companion Plants for Camelias

Flowering Plants

Most flowering vegetation do well with camellias, and the burst of numerous colors can provide a charming visual appeal to your flower beds. All these vegetation are acid-loving and prosper in the very same soil environment. There is an abundance of species that you can check out your gardening creativeness with.

1. Azaleas

snow azalea flowers
Image Credit: hyun chun kim, Pixabay
USDA Hardiness Zone 6–9
Position Partial shade
Soil pH 5–5.6

Azaleas can be developed in practically any yard and are perfect companion plants as they also prosper in the very same acidic surroundings that Camelias take pleasure in. They are one particular of the most popular vegetation because of their beautiful display of blooms in spring, and they are comparatively straightforward to grow.

Azaleas should be planted in the spring, if possible in great and loosely shaded locations. If the shade is way too heavy in which they are planted, it triggers them to weaken and minimizes their blooming.


2. Gardenias

Pinwheel Gardenia
Image Credit: Kojan Picture, Shutterstock
USDA Hardiness Zone 8–11
Position Partial shade
Soil pH 5.0–6.0


Gardenias are yet another acid-loving plant that will pair nicely with Camellias. They beautify your backyard with their decorative, creamy white bouquets and depart an intoxicating fragrance lingering in the air. They can be a tad fussy with their requirements and could demand a bit much more servicing, but their gorgeous blooms are really worth it.

They enjoy the partial shade and typical watering and should be pruned when blooming has stopped.


3. Rhododendrons

rhododendron
Credit: Capri23auto, Pixabay
USDA Hardiness Zone 4–8
Position Partial shade, protected by wind
Soil pH 4.5–6.0

Rhododendrons will thrive and get alongside with Camellias simply because they call for the exact same soil environments. Not only that, but their bouquets are also a single of the most gorgeous, complimenting the elegance of Camellias and contributing to a stunning landscape in your garden. If they are planted with correct treatment, they are fairly reduced routine maintenance.

They will thrive in dappled shade and like to be guarded from the wind. Rhododendrons will be less difficult to care for if planted in moist, well-draining, loamy fertile soil with the appropriate pH.


Flower Bulbs

4. Crocus

crocus flowers
Image Credit: Pixabay
USDA Hardiness Zone 3–8
Position Full to partial sun
Soil pH 6.0–7.0

The stunning blooms of Crocuses will supply eye-catching shade to your backyard garden. They provide a variety of colors, these kinds of as pink, orange, yellow, pink, purple, and blue, and they include a perfume that fills the air, attracting pollinators.

With bare minimum care, they will spread and appear back again year following 12 months. They favor properly-draining soil and complete solar but will also do nicely in partial solar.


5. Cyclamen

cyclamen flowers
Image Credit: Big_Heart, Pixabay
USDA Hardiness Zone 5
Position Full or partial shade
Soil pH 5.5–6.0

Cyclamens are grown for their elegant and distinctive bouquets. They prosper at the bases of deciduous trees and big shrubs, which includes Camelias. Hardy cyclamens are simple to grow as extended as heavy soils susceptible to flooding are avoided. In basic, they prefer poor, effectively-drained soil in entire or partial shade.

They can also thrive and be admired in containers or as indoor crops.


6. Tulips

white tulip
Image Credit: Pixabay
USDA Hardiness Zone 3–8
Position Sun
Soil pH 6.0–6.5

Tulips are a favorite, and it is not difficult to realize why. They are stunning and fascinating. Despite the fact that they are good companions for Camellias, they could steal the interest! Tulip bouquets are typically cup-formed, with a few petals and 3 sepals. They can bloom from early to late spring by planting types with distinct bloom times.

Tulips prefer full or afternoon sun. The soil need to be well-draining and neutral to a bit acidic. Tulips all dislike moist circumstances, but they are very tolerant of the cold.


7. Lily of the Valley

lily of the valley flower
Image Credit: Piqsels
USDA Hardiness Zone 3–9
Position Partial shade
Soil pH 5.0–7.0

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The Lily of the Valley is an attractive and aromatic flower that blooms in spring and the early summertime. They have a charming bloom, with their bouquets replicating little bells dropping off the stem.

Increasing Lily Of The Valley is straightforward if you know how and when to plant it this reduced-maintenance plant does not call for much to thrive. It prefers partial shade and moist soil, but depending on the humidity it gets, the Lily of the Valley can be grown in entire solar or shade.


Deciduous Trees

Camellias thrive in the shade of deciduous trees. When the trees lose their leaves, the Camellias are uncovered to the winter season sunlight, ensuing in larger, beautiful blooms. The leaves also provide totally free and easy mulch for your soil. Camelias also do not require to contend for vitamins or water since the roots of these trees are non-invasive.

8. Japanese Maple Tree

Japanese Maple Tree
Image Credit: Dan Freeman, Unsplash
USDA Hardiness Zone 5–8
Position Full sun, partial shade
Soil pH 6.2–6.5

Most Japanese Maples are a shade of purple, complementing Camelias beautifully and producing wonderful lawn trees. Scaled-down kinds are excellent for big pots or bordering driveways.

Tumble is a fantastic time to plant simply because it permits your Japanese Maple’s roots to establish themselves while the rest of the tree is dormant. They thrive in entire sunshine with partial shade and most soil sorts as lengthy as they are well-drained. They will want to be safeguarded from powerful winds and frost.


9. Crabapple

Crabapple Tree
Image Credit: Pixabay
USDA Hardiness Zone 4–8
Position Full sun
Soil pH 5.0–6.5

The Crabapple is an outstanding selection for a compact, adaptable tree that gives attractive blooms in summer season and fall and an abundance of fruit that can be found on the branches nicely into wintertime. They can occur in a assortment of dimensions, so they can fit any dimensions backyard garden.

Plant a Crabapple in spring when the temperatures are great and the soil is moist. A crabapple will need to have a least of 6 hours of sunlight every day and will thrive in most soil problems as long as it drains properly.


10. Cherry Tree

Cherry Trees
Image Credit: Fotokostic, Shutterstock
USDA Hardiness Zone 5–7
Position Full sun
Soil pH 6.0–7.0

The gorgeous display of decorative bouquets on a cherry tree will be a perfect companion to lovely Camellia blooms. They also generate tiny cherries that are a deal with for birdlife, and their altering foliage through the seasons is often an attractive addition to any backyard.

Cherry trees require properly-drained, fertile soil and about eight hours of sunlight for each day, so they can't be planted in the shade of other trees.


Perennials

11. Hellebores

hellebore flower
Image Credit: Pixabay
USDA Hardiness Zone 3–9
Position Partial shade
Soil pH 5.5–6.5

Hellebores occur in numerous varieties, like the Lenten Rose, Stinking Bear Foot, and Christmas Rose. They are typically very fragrant and will be a element of your backyard garden for a prolonged time.

Hellebore treatment is simple and satisfying as soon as set up, and you can plant a selection of hellebores in the shade of your backyard garden for a charming spring flower. They need only a handful of several hours of dappled light and effectively-draining, organic and natural soil to thrive.

Due to the fact all areas of the hellebore plant are toxic, hold youngsters and pets away from it.


12. Forget- Me-Nots- Myosotis

forget me not myosotis
Image Credit: Dieter, Pixabay
USDA Hardiness Zone 3–8
Position Full sun, partial shade
Soil pH 6.0–8.0

These perennials look excellent about other spring bouquets, such as the Camelia with their burst of sensitive blue and white blooms with yellow eyes. They are straightforward to treatment for and resilient to most pests, and their nectar is a fantastic attraction for bees and butterflies.

They thrive in entire solar or partial shade and moist, nicely-draining soil. They are notable seed producers and will normally unfold all through your garden. Clusters are simple to carry, divide, and re-plant if they are increasing in spots you really don't want them to.


13. Lungwort-Pulmonaria

lungwort pulmonaria
Image Credit: Lflorot, Shutterstock
USDA Hardiness Zone 5­–8
Position Partial shade
Soil pH 7–7.5

Lungwort is a daring but delicate woodland perennial that contrasts well with other crops like Camelia to start off the spring garden early. Their identify arose from their spotty leaves that resemble a diseased lung and are thought to be a great treatment for respiratory illnesses.

Pulmonaria are by natural means brief-lived crops the only way to preserve them for a lengthy time is to divide the clumps each 3–5 a long time. They thrive in moist, properly-drained soil and mild shade with the early morning sun. The pink and purple flowers gradually turn blue as they age.


14. Astilbes

Astilbe
Image Credit: stanislav-pasikov, Unsplash
USDA Hardiness Zone 3–8
Position Partial shade
Soil pH 6.0

Astilbe bouquets are tall and stylish, with fluffy pink blooms that include character to your backyard. These pretty flowers pair properly with other shade-loving plants like Camellias. There are many species and hybrids obtainable that will range in coloration.

Astilbes thrive in the shade, but they do appreciate a little bit of dappled early morning sunlight for a handful of hours. They desire prosperous, natural and organic soil enriched with compost and very good drainage. Caring for them is minimal, but they will require typical watering.


Shrubs

Camellias appear gorgeous on their possess and can seem even far more spectacular together with some shrubs. Furthermore, shrubs can be beneficial to the progress of the Camelias by offering them with satisfactory shade. Your shrubs ought to not overpower your flowering plants, so pruning is crucial. These shrubs are excellent for companion planting:

15. Hydrangea

blue and pink hydrangeas plant
Image Credit: SariMe, Shutterstock
USDA Hardiness Zone 3–7
Position Partial shade
Soil pH 6.0–6.2

Hydrangeas are beautiful shrubs that showcase clusters of charming blooms. The pastel but vivid shades of blue, pink, lilac, rose, and white can adorn the same plant at the very same time.

They are effortless to plant and keep and can prosper in most kinds of soil as extended as they are nicely-draining and incorporate lots of dampness. When planting Hydrangeas, you will want to give the root program some time to create ahead of the summer season warmth or winter chill hits.


16. Mahonia

Mahonia Aquifolium
Image Credit: shalom3, Shutterstock
USDA Hardiness Zone 5–9
Position Partial shade
Soil pH 5.0–8.0

Mahonia are shade-loving shrubs that make outstanding hedges for privateness. Their aromatic and appealing yellow bouquets invite bees and butterflies to your garden, although the berries draw in some birdlife.

Mahonia are generally easy to expand, hardy, and lower maintenance. They prosper in partial shade but can tolerate the two total solar and weighty shade. They will expand effectively in most soil varieties as lengthy as they are moist and nicely-draining.


17. Honeysuckle-Lonicera

honeysuckle lonicera
Image Credit: Steve Bidmead, Pixabay
USDA Hardiness Zone 4–9
Position Full sun, partial shade
Soil pH 5.5–8.0

Nectar-rich Honeysuckles will seem stunning trailing more than fences or partitions although filling the air with their sweet fragrance. They are also wonderful evergreen shrubs that make excellent plants for privacy hedging. Branches that sport lovely creamy white buds make excellent indoor arrangements, and the flowers will create small purple berries in late spring to early summer season.

Honeysuckles develop very best in full sunshine or partial shade in fertile, moist, totally free-draining soil. They are minimal servicing and generally pest and disease totally free.


Groundcovers

If you want to make an eye-catching flower bed in your yard, groundcovers are a fantastic companion to camellias. They will support your camellias prosper by strengthening soil and nutrient retention. However, hold a close eye on them to avert them from overtaking your yard.

18. Groundcover Ferns

USDA Hardiness Zone 3–8
Position Indirect sunlight
Soil pH 6.0–7.0

When it comes to floor protect planting, the selection and versatility of ferns offer quite a few alternatives. The kinds that form minimal, dense layers of fronds that operate more than the soil’s area are possibly the very best examples of ferns for ground protect.

Illustrations of ground include Ferns incorporate Northern MaidenHair Ferns, Alpine Drinking water Ferns, Oak Fern, Interrupted Ferns, and Hay-scented Ferns.


19. Bergenia

bergenia flowers
Image Credit: Piqsels
USDA Hardiness Zone 4–10
Position Partial shade
Soil pH 5.5–5.8

Bergenia are a wonderful decision to brighten up your yard together with Camelias. They are also well known as Pigsqueak due to the sounds they make when you rub your fingers on their leaves.

Bergenia plant care is basic because these are low-maintenance crops. They choose shade, dappled sunlight, and moist, well-drained soil, making them outstanding groundcovers.


20. Bugleweed-Ajugas

bugleweed agujas
Image Credit: Gideon Schlichter, Shutterstock
USDA Hardiness Zone 5–9
Position Full sun to full shade
Soil pH 6.5

Its identify suggests a whole lot about this plant’s development. Ajuga spreads slowly by sending out several wandering stolons, which are essentially horizontal roots that develop outward from the plant, making sharing really easy.

Ajuga is a lower-routine maintenance plant that can tolerate circumstances from total solar to full shade. It thrives in moist, nicely-draining soil but can also tolerate drought and dry soil. Whilst Ajuga is a groundcover, it does not handle foot targeted traffic, so you ought to keep away from planting it in an location exactly where it can be trampled.

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The Worst Companion Plants for Camellias

Camellias are shallow-rooted plants that won’t do effectively up coming to trees or shrubs with deep, complex root techniques. Vegetation that call for much more water than Camellias are not great neighbors either, as they can trigger your Camelias to rot.

  • Lavender: Unfortunately, lavender and camellias cannot be companions; their differences are various and uncompromising. Camellias, like lavender, are hardy in USDA zones 7 to 9 but cannot tolerate the sun and require much more water than lavender. One will not survive in the ideal environment of the other due to differences in sunlight and moisture.
  • Pecan Tree: If you have Pecan Trees in your garden, planting Camellias between them is a bad idea. The leaves contain acid, which is released into the soil as the leaves decompose. This acid does not harm the pecan tree but discourages or kills other plants that grow nearby.
  • Willow Trees: Willow trees require a lot of water, and that’s why they are usually found growing near large bodies of water. If you have a willow tree on the banks of your garden, Camelias won’t thrive near them. Camellias are susceptible to overwatering and root rot if kept too wet, so don’t plant them near your Willow tree. Clematis and Lilacs are flowers that prefer more alkaline soil, and Camellias won’t thrive in the same garden bed as these flowers.

Conclusion

Although Camellias are lovely on their own, that does not imply they will not prosper together with some neighboring plants. Pairing them with the proper vegetation can aid your Camellias prosper while complimenting their splendor. Locating the greatest companions may possibly require trial and mistake, but the outcomes will be worthwhile.

“Sources”

Highlighted Impression Credit history: Piqsels

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