Companion Plants

What are Companion Plants

Companion planting is the planting of different crops in proximity (in gardening and agriculture), on the theory that they assist each other in nutrient uptake, pest control, pollination, and other factors necessary to increasing crop productivity. Companion planting is a form of polyculture.

Companion planting is used by farmers and gardeners in both industrialized and developing countries for many reasons. Many of the modern principles of companion planting were present many centuries ago incottage gardens in England and home gardens in Asia.

For farmers using an integrated pest management system, increased yield and/or reduction of pesticides is the goal. For gardeners, the combinations of plants also make for a more varied, attractive vegetable garden, as well as allowing more productive use of space.

Good Examples

• Hellebore
• Herchera, Coral Bells
• Hydrangea
• Boxwood
• Holly
• Flowering Dogwood
• Red Bud
• Pulmonaria
• Primula, Primrose
• Heucherella, Foamy Bells
• Ferns
• Bleeding Heard
• Foxglove
• Ligularia
• Brunnera
• Tiarella
• Bergenia