If you’re looking for a way to maximize the health and yield of your blueberry bushes, then you may want to consider companion planting. Companion planting is a gardening technique which involves strategically placing different plants together in order to benefit each other. There are many different combinations of plants that make great companions for blueberry bushes, from herbs and flowers to fruit trees and vegetables. In this article, we’ll discuss some of the best blueberry companion plants to help you achieve maximum success in your garden.
What is Companion Planting?
Companion planting is an age-old gardening practice that has been used for centuries to improve plant health and yields. By strategically pairing certain plants together, gardeners can benefit from the natural benefits of companion planting. These benefits include improved soil fertility, pest control, and better air circulation. When done correctly, companion planting can also provide a more attractive and productive garden because of the diverse range of plants that are utilized.
Why Blueberries Need Companion Plants
Blueberries need companion plants in order to thrive. The soil around blueberry bushes can become depleted of essential nutrients over time, resulting in stunted growth and a decrease in yield. By pairing blueberries with compatible companion plants, gardeners can increase the fertility of the soil and provide the necessary nutrient support for their blueberry bushes. Additionally, companion plants can help to improve air circulation around the blueberry bushes, which can help prevent disease and pest infestations.
Native Plants That Thrive with Blueberries
Wild Columbine
Wild Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis) is a beautiful native plant that makes an excellent companion for blueberry bushes. Its vibrant red and yellow flowers bring a pop of color to the garden, while its thick foliage helps to reduce weed growth. Wild columbine is also great for attracting butterflies and other pollinators to the garden, providing essential pollination for nearby blueberry bushes.
Golden Ragwort
Golden Ragwort (Senecio aureus) is another great native plant to pair with blueberries. Not only does this low-growing perennial add a bright splash of color to the garden, its deep roots help to protect the soil from erosion and improve water retention. Golden ragwort also works well for attracting beneficial insects such as lacewings and ladybugs, which can help to naturally control pests.
Virginia Creeper
Virginia Creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia) is a climbing vine that makes an excellent companion for blueberry bushes. This native plant can be used to create a natural wall of foliage around the base of your blueberry bushes, providing shade and protection from wind and pests. In addition, Virginia creeper’s deep roots help to improve soil fertility and water retention, making it an ideal companion for blueberry bushes.
Wild Ginger
Wild Ginger (Asarum canadense) is a great companion plant for blueberry bushes due to its ability to enrich the soil with essential nutrients. This native plant has deep roots that help to improve soil fertility and water retention, making it an ideal companion for blueberries. Wild ginger also works well for attracting beneficial insects such as lacewings and ladybugs, which can help to naturally control pests.
Culinary Herbs to Plant with Blueberries
Sage
Sage (Salvia officinalis) is a popular culinary herb that makes an excellent companion plant for blueberry bushes. This herb’s woody stems and pungent aroma can help to repel pests, while its dense foliage can provide shade and protection from the wind. Sage also helps to enrich the soil by adding essential nutrients, making it the perfect companion for blueberries.
Thyme
Thyme (Thymus vulgaris) is an herb that makes an excellent companion plant for blueberry bushes. This aromatic herb has a strong, pungent aroma that can help to repel pests, while its dense foliage provides shade and protection from the wind. Additionally, thyme helps to improve soil fertility by adding essential nutrients, making it a great companion for blueberries.
Oregano
Oregano (Origanum vulgare) is an herb that makes an excellent companion plant for blueberry bushes. This aromatic herb has a strong, pungent aroma that can help to repel pests, while its dense foliage provides shade and protection from the wind. Additionally, oregano helps to improve soil fertility by adding essential nutrients, making it a great companion for blueberries.
Rosemary
Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) is an herb that makes an excellent companion plant for blueberry bushes. This aromatic herb has a strong, pungent aroma that can help to repel pests, while its lacy foliage provides shade and protection from the wind. Additionally, rosemary helps to improve soil fertility by adding essential nutrients, making it a great companion for blueberries.
Flowering Shrubs to Plant with Blueberries
Beauty Bush
Beauty Bush (Kolkwitzia amabilis) is a flowering shrub that makes an excellent companion for blueberry bushes. This deciduous shrub produces white or pink flowers during the spring, adding beauty and color to any garden. Beauty bush’s deep roots help to improve soil fertility and water retention, making it an ideal companion for blueberries. Additionally, its dense foliage provides shade and protection from wind and pests.
Hydrangea
Hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla) is a beautiful flowering shrub that makes an excellent companion for blueberry bushes. This deciduous shrub produces large, mop-head blossoms in a variety of colors during the summer months, adding beauty and color to any garden. Hydrangea’s deep roots help to improve soil fertility and water retention, making it an ideal companion for blueberries. Additionally, its dense foliage provides shade and protection from wind and pests.
Azalea
Azalea (Rhododendron spp.) is a flowering shrub that makes an excellent companion for blueberry bushes. This deciduous shrub produces beautiful, trumpet-shaped flowers in a variety of colors during the spring months, adding beauty and color to any garden. Azalea’s deep roots help to improve soil fertility and water retention, making it an ideal companion for blueberries. Additionally, its dense foliage provides shade and protection from wind and pests.
Rhododendron
Rhododendron (Rhododendron spp.) is a flowering shrub that makes an excellent companion for blueberry bushes. This deciduous shrub produces beautiful, bell-shaped flowers in a variety of colors during the spring and summer months, adding beauty and color to any garden. Rhododendron’s deep roots help to improve soil fertility and water retention, making it an ideal companion for blueberries. Additionally, its dense foliage provides shade and protection from wind and pests.
Berry Bushes to Plant with Blueberries
Currants
Currants (Ribes spp.) is a berry bush that makes an excellent companion for blueberry bushes. This deciduous shrub produces tart, flavorful berries in a variety of colors during the early summer months, adding beauty and color to any garden. Currant’s deep roots help to improve soil fertility and water retention, making it an ideal companion for blueberries. Additionally, its dense foliage provides shade and protection from wind and pests.
Gooseberries
Gooseberries (Ribes uva-crispa) are a berry bush that makes an excellent companion for blueberry bushes. This deciduous shrub produces tart, flavorful berries in a variety of colors during the late spring and early summer months, adding beauty and color to any garden. Gooseberry’s deep roots help to improve soil fertility and water retention, making it an ideal companion for blueberries. Additionally, its dense foliage provides shade and protection from wind and pests.
Huckleberries
Huckleberries (Vaccinium spp.) are a berry bush that makes an excellent companion for blueberry bushes. This deciduous shrub produces tart, flavorful berries in a variety of colors during the summer months, adding beauty and color to any garden. Huckleberry’s deep roots help to improve soil fertility and water retention, making it an ideal companion for blueberries. Additionally, its dense foliage provides shade and protection from wind and pests.
Saskatoons
Saskatoons (Amelanchier alnifolia) are a berry bush that makes an excellent companion for blueberry bushes. This deciduous shrub produces tart, flavorful berries in a variety of colors during the late spring and early summer months, adding beauty and color to any garden. Saskatoon’s deep roots help to improve soil fertility and water retention, making it an ideal companion for blueberries. Additionally, its dense foliage provides shade and protection from wind and pests.
Plants to Avoid Planting with Blueberries
Plants that Attract Pests
Certain plants should be avoided when planting near blueberry bushes, as they can attract pests. These include many members of the mint family (such as peppermint, spearmint, and catnip) as well as certain types of grasses and weeds. Additionally, some flowering plants such as marigolds and daisies may also attract pests and should be avoided.
Plants that Compete for Nutrients
Certain plants should be avoided when planting near blueberry bushes, as they can compete for essential nutrients. These include many members of the squash family (such as pumpkins and cucumbers) as well as some types of trees and perennials. Additionally, some short-lived annuals such as tomatoes and peppers may also compete for nutrients and should be avoided.
Conclusion
Companion planting with blueberries offers many advantages to gardeners, including improved soil fertility and water retention, protection from wind and pests, and a greater diversity of plants in the garden. The various plants chosen as companions should be selected carefully, as some may attract pests or compete for essential nutrients. Rhododendrons, currants, gooseberries, huckleberries, and Saskatoons are all excellent choices for companion planting with blueberries.
Companion planting is an exciting way to explore the possibilities of a garden and create a unique landscape. When it comes to blueberry companion plants, there are many options that can provide shade, protection, and improved soil fertility. Gardeners should feel encouraged to experiment with different combinations of plants in order to create an attractive and productive garden. With a little research and some trial-and-error, gardeners can find the perfect combination of companion plants for their blueberry bushes.
