In order to contrast the rhododendron from below, there are various candidates for underplanting. However, many of them fulfill many more functions. They shade the root area of the rhododendron, retain moisture in the soil longer and suppress weeds.
Which plants are suitable for underplanting rhododendrons?
To underplant a rhododendron,shade-loving,lowandshallow-rooted ground cover, Perennials, ferns, grasses and woody plants that prefer an acidic substrate. These include, among others:
- Periwinkle and Golden Nettle
- Honas and Bergenias
- Ribbed Fern and Spotted Fern
- Forest ledges and Japanese sedge
- Japanese lavender heather and hydrangeas
Planting rhododendrons with ground cover plants
Evergreen or wintergreen ground cover under the rhododendron not only looks decorative all year round, but they also preventDrought damage to the rhododendron The rhododendron often suffers from persistent heat and drought, especially in summer. The right ground cover at his feet can prevent this. Since the rhododendron is a shallow-rooted plant, the ground cover plants should also have roots close to the surface. Fit well:
- Evergreen
- Ivy
- Goldnettle
- Fat Man
- Storksbill
- woman's coat
- Hazelroot
- Carpet Dogwood
Planting rhododendrons with perennials
Among the perennials, it is primarily thewintergreenspecimens and thedecorative leaf perennialsthat are ideal for planting under rhododendrons. But other perennials that likeshadyand love aforest floor are also in the right place with the rhododendron. These perennials are particularly recommended:
- Funkia
- lily cluster
- Foam Blossom
- Caucasus forget-me-nots
- Bergenia
- Christmas Rose
Planting rhododendrons with ferns
The delicate and lighter green of the ferns usually stands outdecorativefrom the dark-leaved rhododendrons. The ferns also likeshadingand, due to their origin in forests, havesimilar soil requirements as rhododendrons. These species are suitable for underplanting:
- Rainbow fern
- Spotted Fern
- Rib Fern
- worm fern
Planting rhododendrons with grasses
Grasses, with their long and fine stalks, are interestingcontrast providersfor the rhododendron. Some of them are even present in winter and decorate the rhododendron from below. Their advantage is that they require little maintenance, effectively suppress weeds and provide good shade for the root area of the rhododendron. However, only chooselow grasses that like to be in the shade, such as:
- Forest ledges
- Japan sedge
- Hanging sedge
- Snow Marbel
Planting rhododendrons with trees
Has the rhododendron already grown tall and does it still offerplenty of space under its head? Then you could use this space to underplantsmaller trees. Those that like acidic soil and can tolerate partial shade to shade are particularly suitable. These representatives are ideal:
- Japanese lavender heather
- Skimmie
- hydrangea
- Mahony
Tip
Lily of the valley as an uncomplicated and spreading underplanting
Lilies of the valley not only look chic, but they are also suitable as an underplant for rhododendrons. But only over the years do they develop their effect, as they gradually form a dense carpet. Only after about 5 years have lilies of the valley established themselves as effective ground cover.
