The rhododendron exuberantly presents us with its breathtaking flowers, very early in spring. It is indeed extremely attractive as a solitary tree. But together with other plants it can literally come to life even more visually.
How can you best combine rhododendrons?
To successfully combine rhododendrons, you should pay attention to flower color, flowering time, location requirements and height of growth. Ideal planting partners are forest anemones, hostas, astilbes and grasses such as sedges and Japanese mountain grass.
What factors should you consider when combining rhododendrons?
In order to properly underline the expression of the rhododendron and not degrade it, you should include the following aspects in your planning:
- Flower color: white, pink, yellow, orange, orange-red, crimson or violet
- Flowering time: April to July
- Location requirements: partially shaded, lime-free, loose and humus-rich soil
- Growth height: up to 4 m
You can combine the rhododendron depending on its flower color. Either select similarly colored flowering plants or create targeted contrasts.
If you want to bring the rhododendron into interaction with other flowering plants during its flowering, you should take its flowering time into account.
It is important to note the location requirements of rhododendrons. The selected companion plants should also feel comfortable in light shade and on forest-like soil.
Combine rhododendrons in beds or in pots
Since such a rhododendron is truly outstanding in its splendor, it should be combined with simpler plants in order not to lose its effectiveness. For example, ground-covering perennials are well suited, but also grasses that like to grow in shady areas. You can also surround your rhododendron with other flowering plants. If they bloom at the same time as it does, wondrous contrasts can emerge.
Excellently suitable planting partners for rhododendrons include:
- Grasses such as sedges and Japanese mountain grass
- Goldnettle
- Storksbill
- Forest Anemone
- Flower Dogwood
- hydrangeas
- Astilbene
- Funkia
Combine rhododendron with forest anemone
The white forest anemone, which reveals its flowers at the same time as the rhododendron, is an ideal companion plant. She displays her delicate flower shells at the foot of the rhododendron and thus points out the sensational rhododendron in her charming way. Snow-white rhododendrons in particular go well with the forest anemone.
Combine rhododendron with hosta
As a foliage plant, the hosta becomes the stimulating counterpart of the rhododendron. Due to its lower height, it should be allowed to take its place in front of the rhododendron. There it is able to provide decorative accents. In particular, conspicuously white or yellow-edged or variegated hostas are particularly recommended.
Combine Rhododendron with Astilbe
Just like the rhododendron, the astilbe likes a location in partial shade and likes to find itself under sparse trees. She also feels at home on a forest floor. In addition, the astilbe goes well with the rhododendron because it does not bloom at the same time as it, but becomes valuable when the rhododendron says goodbye with its flowers. Then the astilbes swing the scepter, while the rhododendron behind or next to it shines with its foliage.
Combine rhododendrons as a bouquet in the vase
Such a bouquet of rhododendron flowers looks pompous and intensely colored. Be brave and try out combinations with typical early summer flowers. For example, you can round off rhododendrons with finer plants or complement the bouquet with other thick flowers such as peonies or roses.
- woman's coat
- ornamental onion
- Jacob's Ladder
- Roses
- Peonies
- Bluebells
- Storksbill
