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.
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 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...
Cornus alba Nightfall
(H6) Cornus alba 'Nightfall' offers dark green spring leaves that turn rich purple by autumn. Its velvety grey leaf undersides contrast with darker foliage, and red winter branches add visual interest year-round. This hardy, low-maintenance deciduous shrub is not only beautiful but also practical. It is hardy and more upright than others in its collection. It works well as a hedge, screen, or background...
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.
Hamamelis Arnold Promise
Large fragrant bright yellow spider-like flowers, which are frost hardy in winter, January to March. This Witch Hazel gives lovely autumn foliage colours of reds and yellows. Height 150-175cm in 10 years. Best in an open position.
Hamamelis intermedia Barmstedt Gold AGM
(H5) A deciduous shrub with hazel-like leaves and large, fragrant golden-yellow flowers that bloom on bare branches in late winter and early spring; offers some yellow autumn colour. Easy to grow in an open but unexposed site with moist but well-drained acid or neutral soil.
Hamamelis intermedia Orange Beauty
(H5) 'Orange Beauty' is a robust shrub reaching 3m tall and 4m wide, in 10-20 years, featuring broadly elliptic leaves that shift from yellowish green with maroon-purple flushes to dark green, then yellow and orange in autumn. It produces lightly fragrant flowers with dark purplish-red calyces and twisted, crimped petals over 2cm long, yellow-orange with red-purple bases, blooming from mid- to late...
Hamamelis intermedia Pallida AGM
(H5) One of the most popular witch-hazels with large sulphur yellow flowers in dense clusters on naked stems. Strong and delicately sweet scented, January to March. Good yellow autumn colour. Height 150-175cm in 10 years. Best in moist sunny position.
Hamamelis intermedia Rubin AGM
(H5) A rounded, upright deciduous shrub or small tree with wrinkled, oval green leaves that turn yellow and orange in autumn. It produces lightly scented, ruby-red flowers with narrow, crimped petals on bare branches in late winter and early spring. Easy to grow in an open but unexposed site. Requires moist but well-drained acid or neutral soil. 2.5-4m heigh in 10-20 years.
Hamamelis intermedia Ruby Glow
(H5) A fairly strong growing, upright, bushy shrub reaching 2.5m-4m heigh in 10-20 years, with rounded leaves (up to 16cm) that shift from medium green to dark green, then to yellow-orange-red in autumn. It produces slightly fragrant, purplish-red calyced flowers with curled coppery red petals (up to 2cm) from mid- to late winter. Grow in moderately fertile, neutral or preferably slightly acidic soil...
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 '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.
Hydrangea paniculata 'Grandiflora'
Large, broad panicles 20-30cm long of showy white sterile florets which become pink tinged as they age. Flowering from late summer to autumn. A large deciduous shrub with ovate mid to dark green leaves and a bushy habit. Height 200-400cm and 150-250cm wide in 10 years. Requires moist well drained acid or neutral soil. A good hardy variety that is happy in full sun to partial shade in exposed or sheltered...
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 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 Alice
Large pointed panicles of single white flowers, turning pink as they age in summer. Vigorous form of oak leaved hydrangea with lobed deep green leaves, turning red and purple in autumn. Height 150-175cm in 10 years. Best in sun or light shade.
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.
Mahonia gracilipes
slender Oregon grape(H5) Compact, low-growing, evergreen shrub. Featuring large, spiny edged leaves up to 40cm long that emerge burgundy with a white waxy underside. In late summer to autumn, it produces small bell-shaped purple-red flowers that are creamy-white inside, followed by bloomy black fruits on red stalks. Prefers a sheltered position in full sun, partial shade or full shade and a moist but...
Mahonia oiwakensis subsp. lomariifolia AGM
lomaria-leaved mahonia(H4) A tall evergreen shrub, with long pinnate leaves and spiny leaflets. Producing dense clusters of bright yellow, lightly scented flowers up to 25 cm from late autumn into winter, followed by blue-black berries. Prefers a sheltered position in full or partial shade and moist but well-drained to well-drained soil. 2.5-4m high x 1.5-2.5m wide in 10-20 years.
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.
Nandina domestica 'Gulf Stream'
(H5) Compact, bushy, evergreen shrub. Bronze-orange new growth in the spring, turning green with age. During autumn and winter the leaves turn to shades of red and gold. Small white flowers on conical panicles in the summer, sometimes followed by red berries. Height and width 50-100cm in 10 years. Prefers full sun in a sheltered position with moist well drained soil (Acid, Alkaline, Neutral).
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 '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 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.
Penstemons should be planted in well-drained soil in an area with full sun or partial...
Pieris Carnaval AGM
(H5) White urn shaped flowers in panicles during spring on a neat compact growing upright plant. Variegated evergreen leaves with cream edging, red new growth turns green in summer. Flowers best in light and airy position. Height 100-125cm in 10 years. Ideal for patio pots. Requires moist acid soil.
A superb new introduction from Holland, name sometimes translated to Pieris Carnival.
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.
Prunus incisa Kojo no Mai AGM
10 litre top worked plant shown in 3rd photo.
(H5) Pink buds open to delicate single flowers with white petals, and deeper pink centres, in early spring. A lovely plant for spring interest, with rich orange autumn colours. Height 75-100cm in 10 years. Best in sun, and moist well drained soil.
'Kojo-no-mai' is a deciduous shrub to 2.5m tall, with zig-zag branches bearing mid-green, lance-shaped leaves....
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 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.
Sambucus Welsh Gold
(H7) A compact, bushy shrub with deeply cut golden-yellow leaves flushed bronze when young. It produces white flowers in late spring to early summer, followed by hanging clusters of red-orange berries in late summer. A deciduous plant with a spreading branched habit. Can be positioned in full sun or partial shade in a moist but well-drained soil. 150cm high x 100cm wide in 5 years.
Sanguisorba Lilac Squirrel
Korean burnet 'Lilac Squirrel'(H6) From midsummer to early autumn, it produces pinkish-purple, fluffy, hanging flowers. This herbaceous perennial grows to about 1m, with a mat-forming, running rootstock. It has blue-green foliage with rounded, wavy-edged leaflets. Prefers moist but well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade.
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.