You can be a good neighbor only if you have good neighbors. –Howard Koch
I recently wrote an article about bad neighbors for clematis (http://clematisqueen.com/content/bad-neighbors-clematis) in which I discussed some potential gardening nightmares and how you can avoid them. In this piece I am going to look at some prospective “good neighbors”.
When I contemplate “companion planting” I think about which plants I will allow to grow next to or near one of my lovely clematis and/or other prized perennials. However, as you can see from the Wikipedia definition, they have a different interpration of the term: “Companion planting is the planting of different crops in proximity (in gardening and agriculture), on the theory that they assist each other in nutrient uptake, pest control, pollination, and other factors necessary to increasing crop productivity. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Companion planting)”. Since I don’t grow vegetables in my garden I cannot vouch for the effectiveness of this type of pairing of different herbs, flowers and perennials, but I feel certain it wouldn’t be a detriment to one’s garden.
I have compiled a list of plants below that could be possible partners. Keep in mind, in some cases some plants can be well-mannered while others can be overly competitive. This means there is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all plant.
Location (i.e. USDA Zones) is usually one of the key factors when making your selection. Will you experience a winter chill or do you live where it is relatively frost-free? Will your pairing receive full sun or is it in dappled shade? So, do you due diligence and check out any these candidates carefully with your independent nursery staff person(s), fellow gardeners and, for specifics for your garden, with gardening guides such as the Sunset Garden Book. I personally always look for plants that are on the smaller size (such as dwarf varieties) since they usually have less aggressive roots.
Here’s hoping you find some matches made in heaven.
Perennials/Vines
Of course the obvious “best” choice: another Clematis
Bougainvillea (Non aggressive cultivars such as ‘Alba’ or ‘Rosenka’)
Dipladenia
Hydrangeas
Jasminum (Jasmines)
Lonicera
Mandevilla
Pandorea jasminoides (Bower’s Vine)
Petrea volubilis (Queen’s Wreath)
Rosa (Roses)
Salvia
Clematis Rouge Cardinal and Solanum jasminoides (Potato Vine)
Shrubs/Small Trees
Abelia
Acer
Artemisia
Azaleas
Berberis darwinii (Barberry)
Blueberries
Brunfelsia
Buddleia
Buxus (Boxwood) E
Calluna (Scotch Heather)
Caryopteris (Blue Mist Shrub)
Citrus
Cornus (Dogwood)
Callistemon
Callicarpa (Beautyberry)
Cotinus (Smokebush)
Daphne
Ceanothus
Escallonia
Euonymous
Hebe
Laurus
Lavatera
Loropetalum
Osmanthus
Paeonia (Peony)
Pittosporum
Philadelphus
Potentilla
Rhododendron
Ribes
Spirea
Syringa
Thuja (Arborvitae)
Vaccinium (Huckleberry)
Viburnum
Weigela
Annual Vines
Asarina antirrhiniflora (Climbing Snapdragon)
Cardiospermum halicacabum (Love-in-a-Puff or Balloon Vine)
Lathyrus odoratus (Sweet Pea)
Rhodochiton atrosanguineum (Purple Bell Vine)
Tropaeolum majus (Nasturtium)