I could rave about hellebores ( Helleborusspp . ) but I wo n’t for the moment , because they only deserve partial acknowledgment .
These swish perennials might nurse multi - time of year interest , but it ’s often their companions that merit the accolades . Every cooperator the hellebore has in the garden is a stud after all , rent ’s be good .
Although a mass planting of hellebore can be stunning , they ’re almost always at their best when implant with some friends in the garden .
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Over my year work as a gardener in Philadelphia , I ’ve teach which companion plants are the best and most authentic options – although I ’ve get to take that I have a few favorites that I ’ll offer in the mix below .
Here ’s what we ’ll get over up ahead :
What You’ll Learn
Keep in mind that the listing is not thoroughgoing , and is free-base on verified first - deal experience !
Let ’s not waste any time , and get aright into it after in brief touching on the growing conditions and other considerations that are need .
Where Do Hellebores Thrive?
false hellebore are at their best when they ’re uprise in loamy soil that drains well , but does n’t stay juiceless for long .
Visualize a forest level littered withoakandmaple leaves , with dappled wraith and copious soil , and you ’re imagining a hellebore ’s aspiration home plate … minus the jacuzzi , anyway .
The savvy nurseryman pays attention to the pH of the dirt and plant accordingly .
While hellebores tend to prefer a pH in the 5.5 area , they can tolerate higher and lower pH level as long as other ground requirements are checked off . quiz the pH of your soilif you need to .
In my experience , these evergreen plant perennials thrive with some friendly tad from a Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree or shrub that ’s grow nearby , although any form of shade will do .
Hellebores , also known normally as Lenten roses for the common sentence when they are in bloom , also apprize a bit of space between themselves and their neighbor .
This part is entirely a personal observation , but it ’s one that I abide by . Unlike Baby from “ lousy Dancing,”though they do require some personal dance space , hellebore thrive and look their unspoiled when they ’re planted in the corner of a garden bottom .
Case in period , every metre I ’ve stopped in my trail to admire a Lenten arise , it ’s when the plant is tucked into a corner somewhere nondescript , bank on some visual support from its favorite familiar .
This is a recitation I put to regular use in my plantings . Give it a snap the next time you ’re rearranging the garden or adding some Lenten roses to the mix .
Whatever you make up one’s mind to do , remember that any planting companions should be ones that are happy and quenched in the mottle - tone environs hellebore prosper in .
While a full - shade location is still appealing to the Lenten rose , these plants favor get a few peeks at some sun throughout the Clarence Shepard Day Jr. .
Annual Companion Options
The looker of adding yearly hellebore planting companions is that you may swap these out every twelvemonth , or even throughout the season .
You ’re making a year - foresightful commitment at most to the combining , with the exception of those that might diffuse seed readily if you do n’t stop them , so you’re able to experiment freely and add plenty of variety as you see set .
Annuals can grow gravid over the course of the year , so ensure that you provide enough outer space between these and your hellebores . The in effect fashion to do this is to read the tag or theseed packeton your annual and follow their spacing recommendations closely .
Here are my top companion picks in this category :
Begonia
Much like impatiens , as describe below , begonias(Begoniaspp . ) are well-chosen when they ’re embed in rich soil and are given some erotic love and attentive guardianship .
I ’m less of a lover of clumps of begonia and favour plant a few here and there instead as stress , but hey , it ’s your garden ! Lenten roses and begonias are a dear pair , so plant them together as you like .
Cleome
One of my favourite yearbook , cleome ( spiderflower hassleriana ) reach significant superlative – as high as six feet !
Also acknowledge as wanderer flower , these are all too eager to self - seed for next class , so do n’t plant cleome unless you ’re willing to have some Volunteer popping up next summer in the garden .
If you ’re still on board , I think cleome operate very well when implant in several stand of magniloquent , clean flowers .
Since they ’re so tall , you do n’t need to worry about them crowd out shorter plants like hellebore , so you may embed these wherever you like .
Queen Mixture Cleome
The clean - to - purple colour range of spider flowers oppose hellebores nicely . This Queen source admixture that’savailable from rightful Leaf Marketoffers seeds in that color range .
take more about grow cleome in our guide .
Impatiens
Impatiens ( Impatiensspp . ) and hellebores incline to thrive in the same conditions . They both desire rich grunge that is regularly dampish but not too wet .
I like using impatiens in a little band around my hellebores , or adding thick pocket of impatiens nearby .
Dazzler ® Impatiens
While I usually pick up a flatcar of impatiens at a local garden center , I ’ve raise fond of the Dazzler ® series of impatiens when growing by seed . Seeds areavailable from True Leaf Market .
you could desegregate and match the colors you want based on the Lenten rose varieties in your garden , but I propose the white-hot , violet , or gamy bead since they ’re just as “ cool ” in color as the hellebore .
New Guinea impatiens ( I. hawkeri ) can farm quite tall and are on their best behavior if they ’re planted behind your Lenten rose , to give it a gracious backdrop to bring against .
translate more about growing impatiens in our pathfinder .
Pansy
Nothing can really stupefy the pairing of hellebores and pansies ( Violaspp . ) . Not to my eye , at least .
These complement one another beautifully , and they gravely overstate each other ’s best character . You canlearn more about growing pansies in our guide .
The best - looking outpouring display is a hellebore patch surrounded by establishedpansies , if you ask me . Neither plant bothers the other , and they get along quite well in the garden .
Perennial Pairing Selections
annual are great , nice and coloured . But perennial planting fellow traveler ? That ’s the slate for a reliable wave of color and foliage that returns on repeat every yr in the garden .
prove these :
Astilbe
Part of the “ set up it and forget it ” crowd of hellebore planting associate , astilbe ( Astilbespp . ) is a shade - loving perennial that ’s happy to be left on its own , to spread and divide in the garden .
I conceive astilbe should be the “ filler ” flora , with hellebore used as a potent anchor here and there .
ensure to keep some space between your hellebore and your astilbe , or the astilbe might slow encroach into the hellebore ’s space and take over !
‘ Peach Blossom ’ Astilbe
My favorite variety of astilbe is know as ‘ Bridal Veil , ’ but a very skinny contender is ‘ Peach Blossom , ’ and bare etymon for this one are available in a variety of package sizesfrom Eden Brothers Nursery .
Does n’t hurt that it reminds me of one of my favorite song by the Eels , does it ?
register our astilbe growing guideto learn more .
Creeping Phlox
humble and prostrate with a beautiful emerald green color bridging the interruption between hellebore and epimedium , which is next on our list , cringe phlox ( Phlox subulata ) acts as a adorable carpet for its taller associate when the three are establish together .
While creeping phlox might not bloom as prolifically in the condition hellebore favors , it will still grow and offer a perfect mate of color and frame in a pairing of the two on their own , or with the improver of other recommended fellow traveller .
creep phlox is usable in a variety of colors , but shade like that of this ‘ Emerald Blue ’ are my go - to selection . Phlox should never steal the show , but instead , be a delicious companion to the residue of the garden .
‘ Emerald Blue ’ Creeping Phlox
‘ Emerald Blue ’ flora areavailable via Amazonin # 1 containers .
regain tips forgrowing your own creeping phlox in our pathfinder .
Epimedium
There ’s no way we can talk about hellebore planting companions without mentioning bishop’s hat ( Epimediumspp . ) .
The two plants are made for each other , and they ’re truly a stark match , with the hellebore handling the bulk of the showmanship duties while epimedium fills in the ground besiege the other , with its distinct serrated leaves and delicate flowers .
The flush on epimedium are n’t particularly remarkable , so drive to get hold a few plant with foliation like this variety that will be in harmony with your Lenten uprise .
happen point on produce epimedium plants here .
Fern
Simply put , you ca n’t go wrong by total ferns as a hellebore planting associate . They favor the same environment and are perfectly delightful partners , aesthetically speaking .
I retrieve fern can be used in two ways :
First , if you ’re planting something magniloquent and strong , like ostrich fern , use them meagerly around your false hellebore and permit them run as an exclamation sign in an otherwise repress garden .
If you have a supporter or a neighbor farm ostrich fern , I ’m sure you’re able to seduce some of the supererogatory rhizomes they have growing in their garden .
As a second option , if you ’re using a fern that ’s softer in gloss and less in your side , something like Japanese painted fern , I believe the ferns should be diffuse around and allowed to satisfy in the gaps while the hellebore serve as bold accents .
Nipponese Painted Fern
you could find Japanese painted fernsavailable from Nature Hills Nursery .
Learn more inour guide to growing fern .
Heuchera
It ’s no closed book , I do it heucheras , and I ’ll find a way to mix them into every potential compounding . Fortunately for us , genus Heuchera is one of the best hellebore planting fellow you’re able to find out !
While genus Heuchera ( Heucheraspp . ) is extremely drouth tolerant , these plants also excel in a more fertile environment with hellebores .
I ’d paint a picture using either a lot of heucheras with a few hellebore as an ornamentation , or conversely , found a sea of hellebore with a few heucheras mixed into the bunch .
In my opinion , the best heucheras you may buy are the 1 you ’ve gotten your own eye on in soul . Of the many plants I ’ve bought both in person and online , heuchera gives me the most hassle when it comes to couple their color in existent life compare to the picture I see on the internet .
It ’s like travel on a engagement with somebody you met on a dating web site and finding yourself having to say , “ Youreallydon’t look like your picture … ” Does the escort commonly go well after that ?
genus Heuchera ‘ Melting Fire ’
Luckily , one of my favorites is also available from seed . ‘ Melting Fire ’ is a minute more bold than the coloration of Lenten rose , but they still work well together .
come up cum from Mountain Valley Seed Co. ,available from True Leaf Marketin packs of 500 .
Check outour guide to growing heucherato learn more .
Yucca
A total experiment of mine but one that worked out very well , I plant a yellowed and greenish yucca near some hellebores in my backyard as a impermanent conjugation , but over the time of year I decide Ilovedhow the two calculate together .
Yucca ( Yuccaspp . ) is a bold and architectural flora with an upright habit .
Its colour and form are all the more vibrant when compared to the more subdued hues and easy - going riding habit of the hellebore . I set my yucca a little near to mine , but they have been getting along quite well over the last two year .
Yucca‘Color Guard ’
‘ Color Guard ’ is my favorite type of yucca , and you could pick up flora in 2.25 - gallon containerson Amazon , in case finding them locally is a hassle .
feel tips on growing yucca plant here .
Trees and Shrubs to Choose From
Hellebores can generally place upright being planted under most Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree . After all , they like that canopy of shadiness . Exceptions bristle , though !
Hellebores wo n’t grow in a very juiceless placement , so do n’t ask them to do well in that set regardless of the case of tree they ’re grow beneath .
Also note that as long as the soil is rich and full of nutrients , the pH is n’t a concern unless it ’s on the passing low or high side .
Azalea and Rhododendron
If you ’re looking for an evergreen plant show that really come up alert in the spring and early summertime when in peak , plant some Lenten roses beneath and around your rhododendron and azalea shrubs ( Rhododendronspp . ) .
This is another pairing that really does quite well together in every way .
They share many tolerances regarding soil quality , wet requirement , and wanton status . You but ca n’t go wrong found them as companions .
Azalea‘Cascade White ’
blanched azaleas are my go - to whenever I get a alternative , so I often hint something like ‘ Cascade White ’ to pair with your Lenten rise . industrial plant areavailable from Nature Hills Nurseryin # 1 containers .
If you do n’t already have azaleas growing in your garden , you could read them to the landscape painting here . And do n’t interest – rhododendronshave almost identical requirements .
Dogwood
A healthy dogwood ( Cornusspp . ) is a pure woody excerpt for a hellebore planting fellow .
They relish the same growing conditions , but more significantly for the Lenten arise , the dogwood tree ’s leaf back offer idealistic wanton conditions .
Nothing outfox dappled sunlight for the Lenten rose , and most dogwood offer that kind of protection .
Kousa Dogwood
An oldie - but - goodie here isthe kousa dogwood . notice tree now fromNature Hills Nursery , available in several different sizes .
If you ’re looking for something a little more compact and with a different riding habit that ’s more shrublike , you may prove a few xanthous twig dogwoods instead .
yellowish Twig Dogwood
These areavailable from Nature Hills Nurseryas well , in # 1 containers .
Learn more about growing dogwoods here .
Mahonia
Gardeners either love or hate mahonia ( Mahoniaspp . ) . Thisprickly shrubgrows on a stark automobile trunk with a crown of sharply pointed leaves at the top .
But you ’ll find endearing flowers and Chuck Berry on mahonia as well , and this is an significant part of what makes me do it this plant .
I believe it ’s a safe pairing with hellebore because of the similarities in their leaves , but also because genus Mahonia does n’t crowd together the hellebore ’s territorial dominion .
The two make a rather strong combination in the garden , and they also look pretty stellar when you add a few yucca to the mix .
Mahonia aquifolium
Oregon grape Charles Hardin Holley ( M. aquifolium)are the 1 I ’m most used to interact with , and they get my ballot for upright Lenten rise planting fellow traveller .
Find plants in several size nowfrom Nature Hills Nursery .
Oak, Maple, Beech, and Other Trees
If you ’ve amaze a tree diagram in your yard already , prospect are your hellebore is felicitous to grow beneath it .
While some trees favour dry weather condition or can castrate the pH of the soil to unacceptable level , most hardwood tree offer idealistic light conditions and favor the rich soil that a hellebore love .
Although modest trees likeJapanese maplesand birch can support a ring of hellebore around their base , you ’ll generally want to shoot for to plant your Lenten rose wine nigher to the dripline of the tree diagram rather than directly surrounding the trunk .
Surprisingly , Lenten rose can grow in the wraith of a walnut Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree , and tolerates thejuglone produced by black walnutsand their relatives .
Fortunately , so can some of the hellebore ’s best-loved planting associate such as heuchera , ferns , and creeping phlox , among others !
Forest Floor Buddies
hellebore have no shortage of planting companions . The selections describe above are based on my personal experience with what does and does n’t work , and on my own preferences in the garden .
And before you go , give these clause ongrowing helleboresa read :
© require the Experts , LLC . ALL right wing RESERVED.See our TOSfor more details . Product photos via Amazon , Eden Brothers , Hirt ’s Gardens Store , Nature Hills Nursery , Perennial Farm Marketplace Store , and True Leaf Market . Uncredited picture : Shutterstock . With additional composition and redaction by Allison Sidhu .
About
Matt Suwak
