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.
Featured Products
Heuchera 'Huckleberry'
(H6) A clump-forming perennial. Silver foliage, which turns pink during autumn, with dark purple undersides, topped by upright short stems of small pale pink flowers that fade to white once opened in the summer. Likes well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade. 50cm x 50cm in 5 years.
£9.95
Hosta Minuteman AGM
(H7) 'Minuteman' is a perennial plant that grows up to approximately 60cm in height and 120cm in width. It features oval to heart-shaped, slightly cupped, dark green leaves with sometimes wavy, irregular, creamy-white margins. Tubular, lavender-blue flowers are produced in spikes from early to mid-summer. Prefers moist but well-drained soil in partial shade.
£9.50
Salvia Kisses & Wishes
(H3) Tubular soft-pink flowers with darker streaks on dark stems from early summer to late autumn. A frost-tender perennial reaching 75cm with small aromatic mid-green leaves. Prefers moist but well-drained soil in full sun.
£9.50
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.
Calamagrostis × acutiflora 'Karl Foerster' AGM
Feather reed grass 'Karl Foerster'(H6) A clump-forming deciduous perennial grass with flat, arching leaves up to 90cm long and bronze flower panicles in summer that turn pale brown. Prefers moist well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade. 150cm high x 100cm wide in 5 years.
Campanula Kent Belle AGM
(H7) An upright herbaceous perennial featuring heart-shaped basal leaves and smaller stem leaves, with loose clusters of deep violet, narrowly bell-shaped flowers measuring 5 cm in length during the summer season. Prefers moist well-drained soil in full sun. Approx 100cm high x 50cm wide in 5 years.
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...
Campanula Sarastro
(H7) From early summer to early autumn, large, deep purple, pendent, bell-shaped flowers, approximately 5cm in length, bloom on tall stems above rosettes of large, hairy leaves. This tall bellflower species produces flowers over a long period and requires minimal maintenance. As a clump-forming perennial, it can be incorporated into a cottage-garden design, a scheme focused on blues and purples, or...
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.
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.
Eryngium Big Blue AGM
(H5) Rigid, branched stems are crowned with blue, thimble-shaped flowerheads, each encircled by a ruff of prickly, silvery-blue bracts in summer. This upright, herbaceous perennial reaches a height of up to 75 cm and features spiky, highly-divided, silvery-green foliage. Prefers a well-drained soil in full sun. Approx 100cm high x 50cm 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 'Huckleberry'
(H6) A clump-forming perennial. Silver foliage, which turns pink during autumn, with dark purple undersides, topped by upright short stems of small pale pink flowers that fade to white once opened in the summer. Likes well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade. 50cm x 50cm in 5 years.
Heuchera 'Mulberry'
2nd Image supplied and owend by Prenplants Sussex Limited
(H5) An evergreen to semi-evergreen compact, mound forming variety of Heuchera. Bright mulberry coloured foliage with dark purple veins topped by upright 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.
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 'Silver Gumdrop'
(H6) An evergreen compact, clump forming variety of Heuchera. Purple and silver foliage topped by upright stems of small bell shaped pink flowers in the summer. Likes well-drained or moist well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade. 50cm x 50cm in 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.
Hosta Minuteman AGM
(H7) 'Minuteman' is a perennial plant that grows up to approximately 60cm in height and 120cm in width. It features oval to heart-shaped, slightly cupped, dark green leaves with sometimes wavy, irregular, creamy-white margins. Tubular, lavender-blue flowers are produced in spikes from early to mid-summer. Prefers moist but well-drained soil in partial shade.
Hosta White Bikini
(H7) A medium-sized perennial with green leaves featuring a creamy-white centre streak. In summer, it produces upright stems with pale lavender-purple flowers. Prefers moist but well-drained soil in partial or full shade.
Hydrangea paniculata 'Whitelight'
(H6) Attractive spherical panicles of pure white flowers in the summer, lasting well into the autumn. Happy in all aspects, full sun and partial shade. Height 125-150cm in 10 years. Requires moist acid soil.
Hydrangea paniculata 'Wim's Red'
Image owned by https://www.koju.de/en/
(H5) White flowers in the spring through to pink in summer before maturing to a wine-red in the autumn. A deciduous shrub with strong red-tinted stems and toothed green leaves. Will tolerate full sun and partial shade. Height 150-250cm in 10 years.
Hydrangea paniculata Pink Diamond AGM
(H5) Massive heads of conical flowers, white in summer turning deep pink through autumn, with a red reverse as they age. Tolerates more sun and exposure than most hydrangeas. 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...
Hydrangea quercifolia Snow Queen
Profuse, dense, conical, upright flower panicles composed of large white ray florets in summer, turning pink in autumn. Large lobed green leaves turn bronze-purple in autumn. Height 1.5m in 10 years. Best on moist acidic soils.
A striking form of oak leaved hydrangea, Snow Queen is a deciduous, mound-forming shrub, with great autumn colour.
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.
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 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.
Panicum Heavy Metal AGM
(H5) A deciduous perennial grass reaching approximately 1.2 meters in height, with clumps of upright, metallic blue-grey leaves that turn yellow in autumn. It produces large panicles of small purple-green spikelet's in early autumn. Prefers moist but well-drained soil in full sun.
Penstemon 'Alice Hindley'
Image supplied and owned by Prenplants Sussex Limited
(H4) An upright semi-evergreen perennial. Racemes of mauve/lilac-pink tubular bell-shaped flowers with a white centre in summer. Prefers a well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade. 100cm high x 50cm wide in 5 years.
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.
Penstemon Midnight
Image supplied and owened by Prenplants Sussex Limited
(H4) A clump forming semi-evergreen perennial, with dark green leaves. Upright tubular dark purple blue flowers with a white throat heavily flushed pink through the summer. Likes well drained soil in full sun or partial shade. 90cm high x 45cm wide in 5 years.
Penstemon pinifolius Wisley Flame AGM
pine-leaved penstemon 'Wisley Flame'(H4) Bright red-orange, tubular flowers to 2.5cm long in summer. A compact semi-evergreen shrub of spreading habit, with small linear, pine like foliage. Prefers well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade. 50cm x 50cm in 2 years.
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.
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 japonica Little Heath
(H5) Pink flowers in spring on a neat compact growing plant with small variegated leaves, cream edging, pink new growth.
Flowers best in a light airey position.
Ideal for patio pots.
Height 100-125cm in 10 years.
Requires moist acid soil.
Pieris Japonica Passion
(H5) Panicles of maroon red flowers, March-April, followed by red new growth in spring. A neat evergreen shrub, best in a sheltered spot away from cold winds. Sun or light shade. Height 100-125cm in 10 years. Best in moist acid soils.
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.
Primula Husky Mixed
An evergreen, versatile, hardy perennial, with stunning fragrant blooms that come in a mix of colours – from bright yellows, deep purples, crisp whites and bold reds. Great for woodland gardens, boarders or containers. Flowering from around late winter into late spring they add a stunning hit of early colour. Plant in partial shade or full sun on acid or neutral, moist, well drained soil.Please...
Primula Lilac Lace
(H5) Delicate burgundy petals laced white, surround a bright yellow centre and are held above the bold textured foliage on light green stems from late winter into spring. Plant in partial shade to full sun, likes a moisture retentive soil.
Primula Oakleaf Yellow Picotee
(H5) Upright stems of fragrant bright yellow flowers with orange-red margins in the Spring. An evergreen perennial with dark green leaves. Likes moist but well drained soil in full sun or partial shade. 40cm High x 30cm Wide in 5 years.
Rudbeckia fulgida var. deamii AGM
Deam's coneflower(H6) A clump-forming perennial that grows up to 60 cm, with hairy stems and dark green serrated leaves. It produces black-eyed bright yellow daisy like flowers to around 7 cm wide from late summer to mid-autumn. Likes a moist well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade. 80cm x 50cm wide in 2-5 years.
Rudbeckia Herbstonne AGM
(H6) A robust herbaceous perennial, growing up to 2m, with branched stems and single golden-yellow flower heads with greenish-yellow disks through summer and into autumn. Prefers a moist but well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade.