39 of the Best Companion Plants for Camellias

24.10.2023 - 16:39 / gardenerspath.com / Kristine Lofgren

39 of the Best Companion Plants for Camellias

When my camellias are in full bloom, they grab my attention – I can’t help but admire them every time I peek outside or walk through my garden.

I couldn’t even imagine planting something nearby that would draw the eye away from the stunning blooms.

But then in the summer when they’re not blooming, they kind of need something to pick up the slack. Not that the glossy foliage isn’t beautiful, but it just needs a little something, you know?

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So I planted a bunch of companions around my camellias, like ferns, bleeding hearts, and dogwoods. And you know what? These plantings complement my camellias, even when they are blooming.

The lesson here? Companions are always a good idea! And there are lots of options.

In our guide to growing camellias, we discuss how to grow these shrubs in your garden. In this guide, we’ll look at 39 of the best companion plants for your camellias.

Here’s the lineup:

Camellias hail from temperate environments, with neither too much heat nor too much cold.

The first thing you should ever ask yourself when choosing a friend for your camellia is if the plant has the same water requirements.

Differing sun needs can be accommodated, but if you plant your thirsty camellia next to a big old barrel cactus, you’re going to lose one or the other.

The other consideration is soil pH. Camellias like things acidic. That doesn’t mean anything you plant near it also needs to love acidic soil, but it needs to at least tolerate it. Don’t even think of a plant that demands alkaline soil.

There’s a difference between