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Companion Plants
Consider these for a cheerful combination that will last until late fall:
Annual. This delightful variety has mastered the art of balancing bold colour with delicate texture. ‘Wonderland’ alyssum are a compact variety that are easily tucked into a corner yearning for a burst of colour. As a hardy annual, they will often reseed themselves, without becoming invasive. They are perfect for a pollinator garden, easily attracting butterflies and bees with their fragrant, pink blooms. Plant in moist, well-draining soil and fertilize monthly.
Location: Mixed container, Butterfly garden, Vegetable garden
Bloom Period: June to October
Height: 4”, spreading to 10”
Plant Spacing: 6”
Annual. Enormous, fully double, 4” blooms in vibrant pastel yellow. Plants are compact, tidy and sturdy. Heavy-blooming and heat tolerant, this is an outstanding variety for massing in the landscape or making colourful patio containers.
The quintessential companion plant, marigolds are stars in the vegetable garden. They attract bees, butterflies and beneficial predatory insects. They are an excellent companion for tomatoes and potatoes, as they repel harmful insects and soil nematodes. Plant in average soil with even moisture and fertilize every few weeks.
Location: Vegetable garden, Landscape planting, Mixed container
Bloom Period: June to September
Height: 12-14”
Plant Spacing: 6-8”
Annual. A showstopper in the garden! Vibrant, fully-double 3” flowers cover sturdy, well-branched plants that also show high disease resistance.
Zinnias will attract an abundance of butterflies and hummingbirds to the garden! Dwarf varieties are beautiful in the landscape or mixed containers, providing a flush of cheerful colour all season. Intermediate and tall varieties are outstanding cut flowers. Give the vegetable garden a boost by planting zinnias near tomatoes, potatoes and beans. Plants are very easy to grow, tolerating both heat and drought once established. For best performance, plant in rich, well-draining soil and water regularly.
Location: Front of border, Mixed container, Landscape planting
Bloom Period: June to September
Height: 14-20”
Plant Spacing: 12”
Annual. A true alien of the plant world. These tall, green-flowering spikes make for an interesting addition to the garden, and double as excellent cut flowers. They will often self-seed, but are not invasive. For straight stems, stake plants early. Plant in rich, well-draining soil for best performance.
Location: Mid-border, Cut flower garden
Bloom Period: July to September
Height: 2-3’
Plant Spacing: 12”