Millais Nurseries
Companion Plants
Companion plants are selected based on their ability to thrive in the same conditions as the primary plants with which they are paired. In the context of rhododendrons and azaleas, we have chosen a large range of companion plants to blend nicely in woodland settings or even in much smaller gardens, providing an extra burst of colour to the borders.
Our selection of companion plants includes a diverse range of options, from evergreen and deciduous shrubs to grasses and herbaceous perennials. Each type offers unique benefits and characteristics, making them ideal partners for rhododendrons and azaleas.
Achillea Cloth Of Gold AGM
(H7) A tall, robust perennial reaching up to 1.8 meters in height, characterized by its divided foliage and large, flattened clusters of bright yellow flowers from Summer through to Autumn. It is well-suited for drying purposes. Likes a moist well-drained soil in full sun. Approx 200cm high x 100cm wide in 5 years
Achillea Pink Grapefruit
(H7) 'Pink Grapefruit' is a vigorous, compact perennial, with ferny leaves and clusters of flowers. The blooms have white centres and dark pink florets that fade to creamy pink from midsummer to early autumn. Likes full sun and a moist well-drained soil. Approx 100cm high x 50cm wide in 5 years.
Achillea Terracota
(H7) This herbaceous perennial plant exhibits a tall, clump-forming growth habit with feathery, silvery grey-green foliage. It produces flat clusters of flowers ranging in colour from deep yellow to terracotta, which gradually fade to cream. These blooms appear over an extended period from June through September. Likes full sun and a moist well-drained soil. Approx 150cm high x 50cm wide in 5 years.
Campanula persicifolia
Image supplied and owned by Prenplants Sussex Limited
(H7) Loose spires of large, cup-shaped, lavender flowers appear on slender stems in early and mid-summer. A rosette forming perennial with narrow mid green toothed leaves. It's an ideal plant for the back of a mixed or herbaceous border, especially in partial shade. Prefers moist well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade. 100cm high x 50cm...
Campanula persicifolia alba
Image supplied and owned by Prenplants Sussex Limited
(H7) Loose spires of large, cup-shaped, white flowers appear on slender stems in early and mid-summer. A rosette forming perennial with narrow mid green toothed leaves. It's an ideal plant for the back of a mixed or herbaceous border, especially in partial shade. Prefers moist well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade. 100cm high x 50cm wide...
Deschampsia cespitosa 'Goldschleier' AGM
(H6) Tufted hairgrass. A clump forming evergreen perennial with dark bluish-green leaves in summer. It produces golden-yellow flowers from late spring to summer, followed by long-lasting plumes for an autumn display. Like moist well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade. 100cm x 100cm in 5 years.
Digitalis purpurea 'Pam's Choice' AGM
foxglove 'Pam's Choice'(H7) Flower spikes consisting of white bells heavily marked inside with deep red-purple in summer. A biennial plant, producing a basal rosette of overwintering leaves. Moist well-drained to well-drained soil. Full sun or partial shade. Height 100-150cm in 1-2 years
Echinops Taplow Blue
(H7) This hardy, upright herbaceous perennial features divided, prickly dark green leaves with a whitish underside. It produces rounded, steel-blue flower heads on branched, leafy stems through the summer. Likes a well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade. Approx 125cm high x 100cm wide in 5 years.
Helichrysum italicum (Curry Plant)
(H4) An evergreen sub-shrub with bushy growth, linear silvery-grey leaves that have a curry scent, and small yellow flowerheads arranged in domed clusters through the summer. Prefers well-drained soil in full sun.
Heuchera 'Blackberry Jam' AGM
(H6) A clump-forming perennial. Glossy, bold foliage in shades of rich purple and maroon with dark veining, topped by upright panicles of small white bell flowers in the summer. Likes well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade. 50cm x 50cm in 5 years.
Heuchera 'Obsidian' AGM
(H6) A compact, mound forming perennial. Glossy purple/black foliage topped by upright dark reddish stems with small creamy flowers in the summer. Likes well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade. 50cm x 50cm in 5 years.
Heuchera 'Shanghai'
(H6) A compact perennial, with silver-purple evergreen foliage, topped by panicles of small pale pink-white flowers in the summer. Likes well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade. 50cm x 50cm in 5 years.
Heuchera Veggie Dinosaur
Veggy Dinosaur
(H7) A compact evergreen perennial. Light green foliage with darker green veined, topped by upright short stems of small bell shaped white flowers in the summer. Likes well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade. 50cm x 50cm in 5 years.
Hosta Blue Mouse Ears AGM
(H7) Clump forming perennial, producing lavender, bell-shaped flowers above small blue leaves in the summer. Prefers a moist but well-drained soil in partial shade. 10-50cm in 2-5 years.
Hosta Devon Green AGM
(H7) A clump forming perennial with large shiny, dark green, heart shaped leaves which have a conspicuous vein. Spikes of small, tubular flowers are pale purple with darker stripes appear in late summer and early autumn. Prefers a moist but well-drained soil in partial shade. 10-50cm in 2-5 years.
Hosta Guacamole AGM
(H7) Avocado green foliage with dark veining and dark margins. Fragrant white-lavender flowers appear duing the summer. A fast grower where it will quickly achieve its potential. Likes a moist but well-drained soil in partial shade. 50-100cm in 2-5 years
Hosta Halcyon AGM
(H7) 'Halcyon' is a compact herbaceous perennial with ovate, thick-textured, blue-grey leaves up to 20cm long. Light greyish-lavender, bell-shaped flowers are borne on stems reaching 40cm. Prefers moist but well- drained soil in partial shade.
Hydrangea arborescens Strong Annabelle
(H6) Rounded heads of sterile white flowers in summer , which open with a hint of green and can be up to 30cm across, held on strong stems. A deciduous shrub, reaching up to 1.5m in height, with large oval leaves. Prefers a moist but well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade.
Hydrangea macrophylla 'Koria' AGM
(H5) Large, flattened flowerheads with white sterile flowers surrounding pinkish or blue-green fertile flowers mid to late summer. A rounded, deciduous shrub with toothed dark green leaves. Prefers a sheltered position in full sun or partial shade and moist but well-drained soil. Approx height 100-150cm in 5-10 years.
Hydrangea paniculata Limelight AGM
(H5) Panicles form a dense broad cone, entirely green at first. Sterile florets open pale lime green, later white. A slight pink flush deepens to give pink and green colours. This plant is a robust and upright spreading selection with distinctive colouring. Height 150-175cm in 10 years. Best in moist sunny positions.
For large panicles, the laterals should be pruned back to within 5-8cm of the previous...
Hydrangea paniculata Phantom AGM
(H5) Extremely large dense full heads of white flowers, turning coral pink by autumn. These are carried on strong stems. Spectacular, and one of the very best of the species. Height 150-175cm in 10 years. Best in moist sunny positions.
For large panicles, the laterals should be pruned back to within 5-8cm of the previous year's growth in early spring.
Hydrangea paniculata Silver Dollar AGM
(H5) Elegant panicles of white flowers, turning light pink later in the season. These look good set against the dark upright stems. Fast growing, but neat compact habit. Height 125-150cm in 10 years. Best in moist sunny positions.
Bred and selected by Dutch plantsman Peter Zwijnenburg at the turn of the century,
For large panicles, the laterals should be pruned back to within 5-8cm of the previous...
Hydrangea paniculata Vanille Fraise
(H5) Loose pyramid-shaped clusters of flowers emerge creamy-white and turn shades of pink, before finally taking on rich red tones. Perfect for adding late summer colour to the shrub border, or for creating an informal, flowering hedge.To enhance flowering prune hard in early spring, cutting back the previous season's shoots to within a few buds of the permanent, woody framework of the plant
Full...
Jasminum nudiflorum AGM
(H5) A deciduous shrub with long, arching branches. Small green leaves from the spring and bright yellow flowers to 2.5cm in width in winter and spring. Like a sheltered position, with good well-drained soil, in full sun or partial shade. 200-250cm high and wide in 10 years.
Leucanthemum × superbum 'Alaska'
(H4) A clump forming herbaceous perennial with dark green, toothed, lance-shaped leaves. It produces bright white, single flowers with bright yellow centres that can bloom for an extended period in the summer if dead-headed regularly; it may require staking. Likes a moist but well-drained soil in full sun. 100cm high x 100cm wide in 5 years.
Leucanthemum × superbum 'Crazy Daisy'
(H4) A clump forming herbaceous perennial with dark green, toothed, lance-shaped leaves. It produces bright white, double flowers which have fringed and twisted petals and a bright yellow centres that can bloom for an extended period in the summer if dead-headed regularly; it may require staking. Likes a moist but well-drained soil in full sun. 100cm high x 100cm wide in 5 years.
Lonicera fragrantissima (Winter-Flowering Honeysuckle)
(H6) Pairs of fragrant creamy-white, two-lipped flowers 1cm long appear, sometimes followed by dull red berries, in winter and early spring. A bushy, deciduous to semi-evergreen shrub, with simple ovate dark green leaves up to 6cm long. Grow in any well-drained soil in sun or part shade. 150-250cm in approx. 10 years.
Luzula nivea
2nd image supplied and owned by Prenplants Sussex Ltd
(H5) A slowly spreading evergreen grass. Narrow dark green leaves to 30cm long and clusters of small white flowers in early and mid-summer on stems to 60cm tall. 100cm High x 50cm Wide after 5 years, prefers moist well-drained soil in full shade or partial shade.
Molinia caerulea subsp. arundinacea 'Transparent' AGM
(H7) This deciduous grass forms neat clumps of arching, strap-like green leaves that transition to yellow in autumn. In late summer and autumn, tall feathery spikelet’s displaying fine, silvery purple flowers rise prominently above the foliage. Prefers a well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade.
Nandina domestica 'Obsessed'
Common name: Heavenly Bamboo(H5) A compact evergreen shrub valued for its striking red spring foliage, which matures to deep green. In midsummer, it produces attractive white flower clusters. Ideal for patio pots or as a colourful accent at the front of shrub borders, this plant offers year-round interest. Requires a sheltered location in full sun or partial shade in a moist, well-drained soil. Eventual...
Penstemon 'Snowstorm' (White Bedder)
Image owned and supplied by Prenplants Sussex Limited
(H3) An upright semi-evergreen perennial, with dark green leaves. Tubular funnel-shaped white flowers through the summer. Likes a well drained soil in full sun or partial shade. 100cm high x 50cm wide in 5 years.
Penstemons should be planted in well-drained soil in an area with full sun or partial shade. Compost or well-rotted manure may be incorporated...
Penstemon Garnet AGM
Syn. Penstemon 'Andenken an Friedrich Hahn'
(H5) Spikes of small, tubular, deep wine-red flowers with white throat markings, grow from July to October among lance-shaped, bright green leaves. This perennial tends to form large leafy clumps and can be used to add colour to the middle of a sunny, well-drained border. The deep wine-red flowers provide contrast with acid greens, silver-leaved plants,...
Penstemon Sour Grapes
image supplied and owned by Prenplants Sussex Limited
(H4) An upright semi-evergreen perennial, with glossy dark green leaves. Dense panicles of tubular, two-lipped flowers blending purple and blue shades, whitish within the throat, June-August. Likes a well drained soil in full sun or partial shade. 60cm high x 50cm wide in 3-5 years.
Penstemons should be planted in well-drained soil in an area...
Persicaria JS Misty Morning AGM
(H6) A clump forming perennial with green leaves & long slender spires of pale pink flowers which appear from summer through until the autumn. Suitable for the middle of a flower border. Prefers a moist but well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade. 100-150cm in 2-5 years.
Synonyms:
Bistorta amplexicaulis 'JS Misty Morning'
red bistort (JS Misty Morning)
Phlomis Bronze Flamingo AGM
(H5) An upright perennial with dark red stems bearing whorls of dusky pink flowers throughout the summer. Textured foliage of wrinkled hairy dark green leaves. When flowering season is over, the seed heads provide structure and interest through autumn and winter. Drought tolerant and happy in poorer soils, it thrives in sun drenched spots and is a magnet for pollinators such as bees and butterflies....
Phlomis russeliana AGM (Turkish sage)
(H6) A hairy perennial carrying large ovate leaves with a rough texture and grey to mid-green colouring, featuring a woolly white underside. Its stout stems carry whorls of hooded, soft yellow flowers approximately 3 cm long, which appear from late spring through to autumn. Prefers full sun and a moist but well-drained soil. 150cm high x 100cm wide in approx. 5 years.
Phlox maculata 'Omega' AGM
(H6) 'Omega' is an upright herbaceous perennial, with narrow leaves and cylindrical clusters of fragrant white flowers, each 2.5cm across with a reddish centre in summer. Likes a moist but well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade. Height 100cm x 50cm wide in 5 years.
Phlox paniculata 'David' AGM
(H7) Fragrant white flowers from mid- to late summer. A bushy, upright perennial reaching 1.1m, with dark green linear leaves. Prefers moist but well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade.
Pieris Forest Flame AGM
Brilliant red young foliage changes to pink, creamy-white then green. Large drooping white flowers in April-May. One of the larger and hardier growing selections of Pieris. Height 150cm in 10 years.
Pieris Mountain Fire AGM
(H5) Dense panicles of creamy white flowers, March to May. New leaves are bright red, changing to copper then maturing to deep green. A very hardy 'Lily of the Valley', suitable for sun or shade. Height 150cm in 10 years. Requires moist acid soil.
Potentilla Miss Willmott
(H7) A clump-forming perennial reaching 35 cm, with dark green leaves made of five broad leaflets. It has branched stems with clusters of cherry-pink flowers, 2.5 cm wide, featuring darker pink centres and a yellow suffusion, blooming throughout summer. Prefers a well-drained soil in full sun.
Potentilla Ron McBeath
(H7) Pretty cup-shaped flowers, approximately 2cm in diameter, rose pink with a red centre, and blooming throughout the summer. A clump-forming perennial to about 30cm tall and 50cm across, with five-fingered, dark green leaves. Prefers a well-drained soil in full sun.
Salix gracilistyla 'Mount Aso'
The stems of this wonderful new form are clothed with fuzzy pink catkins in late winter and early spring. These look their best as they start to swell in mid- to late winter and make a wonderfully eye-catching feature for the winter garden. Even when the flowering has finished, the lush foliage, which has a silvery reverse, makes a great backdrop throughout the spring and summer for other plants that...
Salix integra 'Hakuro-nishiki' AGM (Flamingo Willow)
Flamingo willow(H5) A deciduous shrub or small tree with branches that droop slightly at the tips, reaching a height and spread of 2.5 meters in approx. 20 years. The narrow, lance-shaped leaves, up to 10 centimetres long, start pink in spring and mature to variegated shades of pink, creamy-white, and green before becoming predominantly green in summer. Yellow catkins appear on bare stems in spring,...
Salvia Hot Lips AGM
(H5) Flowers are borne in loose terminal racemes, red in midsummer, bicolored red and white in July and August, sometimes completely white when the days shorten. Very floriferous in all its colour stages, continuing to the first frost. A bushy plant, with small, ovate, aromatic green leaves. Prefers a moist but well-drained soil in full sun.
Sedum 'Voodoo'
Sedum spurium 'Voodoo'(H7) A mat forming perennial with fleshy leaves, heavily flushed with dark red. Clusters of dark red-pink star shaped flowers are produced in the summer on upright stems. Likes full sun and well-drained soil. 10cm high x 50cm wide in 5 years.
Silene coronaria 'Alba' AGM
(H7) Pure white rounded flowers up to 3cm wide on branched stems in summer over clumps of woolly silver leaves. Prefers a well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade. 50-100cm high x 10-50cm wide in 2-5 years.
Silene coronaria AGM
rose campion(H7) Magenta red/rose-purple flowers up to 3cm wide on branched stems in summer over clumps of woolly silver leaves. Prefers a well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade. 50-100cm high x 10-50cm wide in 2-5 years.