Camellias are one of those bushes that are capable of standing out on their merits and are also known as tea bushes. However, they appear even nicer when they have right companions. Their sleek evergreen leaves and beautiful flowers make the ideal backdrop to other garden plants and well-chosen combinations can contrast, producing a layered, textured view that has the impression of balance throughout the year.
Approach The Plant Company, if you are seeking companion plants for your tea bushes because they are a reliable online NZ-based website. They have a plant-finder tool that can help you choose the suitable companion shrubs. The experts even suggest the right companion plant types that complements your Camelliavarieties.
Plants That Thrive in Similar Conditions
Camellias do not last well in acidic soil that is wet more than dry, and would appreciate a little shade and shadow. So, their companions must have similar behaviors. Rhododendrons and azaleas are the natural companions due to the fact that they share the same soil needs and add their colorful, vivid flowers which complement the tea plants. Combined they make a woodland effect with seasonal interest in autumn to spring. The other great alternative is ferns, which can soften the appearance due to their feathery leafages.
Adding Year-Round Interest
Although Camellias are eye-catching plants when in flower, it is wise to think of the future when the bush relaxes. The border is kept lively all year round by companion plants that add seasonal color or structure. Hostas and hellebores represent great plants because they can fill gaps using pleasing foliage and spacing them with a bit of elegant bloom when they are at rest. Evergreen shrubs, such as Pieris, can likewise prolong vision with their colorful new growth and their bell-like flowers.
Creating Contrast with Texture and Color
The important elements in creating a dynamic garden are using contrast. The big, shiny leaves of Camellias go well with the finer foliage, like Japanese maples or grasses. The delicate foliage of maples offers a striking backdrop, while grasses offer movement and softness. To add a pop of color, why not use heucheras because it has a purple or bronze leaf which is a dramatic contrast to the green one.
Layering for Depth
Companion planting is not all about contrast it is also about structure. A canopy can be formed by taller shrubs or even small trees, the mid-sized bushes such as azaleas fill in the side and low growing perennials would be used to fill the base. When layering around Camellias you will achieve a more natural look with depth. Pachysandra or vinca ground covers can be especially effective to hold soil that is dry and connect the planting structure.
Final Thoughts
Combinations of the right plants with Camellias entails more than aesthetics but it also entails the establishment of a balanced environment where all the plants flourish. Selecting companions will help you design a garden that will be successful in the long-term. Consider choosing companions that enjoy similar soil and light requirements. Considering an attractive blend of texture and color along with seasonal value.
