Rhododendrons(Rhododendron), including azaleas and rhododendrons, are among the most beautifully flowering ornamental shrubs. By using various species of plants planted in large groups, we can create many effective compositions with rhododendrons. Seewhat to plant next torhododendrons to emphasize their qualities with a variety of colors and forms. Here are thebest plants to plant alongside rhododendrons!
What to plant next to the rhododendrons: (1) Japanese maple, (2) rhododendron, (3) lingonberry, (4) funkia, (5) heather
Heather plants to be planted next to rhododendrons
Natural neighborhood for rhododendrons are other heather plantsThey can be combined with rhododendrons in a variety of two-story compositions, in which individual elements differ in terms of flower forms, flowering date, color of foliage and ornamental fruit.Next to rhododendrons, : broad-leaved squid ((Kalmia latifolia)), laurel root (Leucothoe fontanesiana) and Japanese pieris (Pieris japonica) are suitable
The lower tier of the composition can be created by : common heather (Calluna vulgaris), heather (Erica), larch (Andromeda), Cantabrian dabecia (Daboecia cantabrica), black crow (Empetrum nigrum ), height (Erica), goltery (Gaultheria procumbens). Additionally,the compositions can be supplemented with heather fruit bushes , such as large-fruited cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon), lingonberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea) and blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum).
Heathers planted under rhododendorns
Fig. shutterstock.com
Which conifers to plant next to the rhododendrons?
Conifers create a good background and favorable neighborhood for rhododendronsRhododendrons are usually combined with junipers (Juniperus) and dwarf varieties of pines (Pinus) and spruces (Picea). In addition to rhododendrons, low varieties and grafted on the trunk of balsam fir (Abies balsamea) and Korean fir (Abies korean a), ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba), yew (Taxus) and thuja (Thuja) also perform well.
When the rhododendron blooms, the hydrangea will still bloom nearby
What deciduous trees and shrubs should be planted next to the rhododendrons?
Dabout planting next to rhododendrons we use deciduous shrubs that tolerate acidic soil , such as: garden hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla), elderberry (Sambucus racemosa) and Japanese viburnum (Viburnum plicatum). Apart from rhododendrons, some popular deciduous treesalso look good, such as oaks (Quercus), dwarf birch (Betula nana) or magnolias (Magnolia). On the other hand, palm maples (Acer palmatum), "Hakuro Nishiki" willow (Salix integra) grafted on a trunk or woolly willow (S. lanata), grafted onto a trunk are suitable for creating oriental compositions. Apart from rhododendrons, we can also successfully plant universal shrubs, such as evergreen boxwood (Buxus sepmpervirens), Thunberg's barberry (Berberis thunbergii), cotoneaster (Cotoneaster) and shrub (Weigela).
Which perennials to plant next to the rhododendrons?
Apart from rhododendrons, you can also plant numerous species of perennialsThey have to withstand shade, drought and low pH of the substrate. Species that cover the ground are good, which will additionally protect the shallow growing rhododendron root system against drought, frost and weed infestation , such as liriope (Liriope), funkia (Hosta), crane (Heuchera) , small-leaved acena (Acaena microphylla), anemone (Antennaria), constrict (Armeria), arctic blackberry (Rubus arcticus), periwinkle (Vinca), lungwort (Pulmonaria), oakwort (Ajuga), geranium (Geranium) or tiarella (Tiarella).As a background for the rhododendrons, we can plant taller perennials, e.g. forest (Aruncus dioicus), rodgersja (Rodgersia), tawulka (Astilbe) or garden ferns.
Ornamental grasses to be planted next to rhododendrons
Ornamental grasses are also very good company for rhododendrons.They create a background and a colorful contrast to the dark green leaves of rhododendrons. We can plant miscanthus (Miscanthus sinensis), sedges (Carex), loam (Pennisetum), fescue (Festuca), pinworms (Helictotrichon) and tall grass (Arrhenatherum elatius) around the rhododendrons.
MSc Eng. Agnieszka Lach
