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
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.
£5.95
Phlox divaricata 'Clouds of Perfume'
(H5) A spreading semi-evergreen perennial, with trailing stems that root and oval leaves covered in hair. It has loose clusters of fragrant pale lavender-blue flowers, each measuring 2-3cm across, which appear in early summer. Likes a moist but well-drained soil in partial shade. 50cm high x 50cm wide in 5 years.
£5.50
Anemanthele lessoniana AGM
pheasant's tail grass(H4) A clump forming semi evergreen grass with arching green leaves, flushed red or orange in summer and autumn. Airy, arching sprays of red-brown flowers in late summer. Prefers moist well drained soil in full sun. 100cm high x 150cm wide in 5 years.
Aquilegia vulgaris var. stellata 'Black Barlow'
(H7) A clump forming upright perennial with grey-green divided leaves and dark purple black pompon like flowers in spring and summer. Prefers moist well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade. 100cm 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 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.
Erica carnea 'March Seedling' AGM
(H6) Rose pink to purple flowers in late winter and spring. An excellent free flowering plant with mid-green foliage and spreading habit. Height and spread 15cm x 50cm in 5 years. Prefers full sun in ericaceous compost or well-drained acidic to neutral soils. Tolerant of alkaline soils and partial shade.Water as necessary particularly in dry weather conditions. Trim to base of flower spike after flowering.
Erica x darleyensis 'Mary Helen'
Also know as Erica carnea 'Mary Helen'
(H5) Pink flowers with protruding, dark redanthers from late winter to mid-spring. Golden yellow foliage in the summer turning bronze in the winter. Thrives in full sun in moist but well drained acidic or neutral soils. Height 25-50cm in 5 years.
Water as necessary particularly in dry weather conditions. Trim to base of flower spike after flowering.
Erica x darleyensis 'Pink Harmony'
(H5) Masses of upright spikes of small, vivid pink flowers with protruding black anthers appear from mid-winter to late spring, over mid-green foliage that is bright green when young. Height and spread 40cm x 40cm in 2-5 years. Prefers full sun in ericaceous compost or well-drained acidic soil. Tolerant of neutral to alkaline soils with plenty of organic matter. Water as necessary, particularly in...
Erica x darleyensis 'Silberschmelze'
Also known as: Erica × darleyensis 'Molten Silver', Erica × darleyensis 'Alba', Erica darleyensis 'Silver Bells', Erica × darleyensis Molten Silver, Erica × darleyensis Silver Beads.(H5) An abundance of scented, white urn-shaped flowers from early winter into spring. An attractive variety with dark green foliage and creamy young growths in the spring. A spreading, evergreen...
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.
Hydrangea arborescens 'Annabelle' AGM
(H6) Very Large spherical heads of white sterile flowers to 25cm across in summer. 'Annabelle' is a bushy deciduous shrub with broadly oval leaves. Height 125-150cm in 10 years.
Will tolerate all aspects and an exposed or sheltered location.
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 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 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.
Hydrangea quercifolia Snowflake AGM
A striking form of oak leaved hydrangea in which several series of bracts are on each flower giving double appearance. Large white florets in late summer, with great autumn colour. Height 1.5m in 10 years. Best on moist acidic soils.
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.
Monarda 'Beauty of Cobham' AGM
(H4) A clump-forming herbaceous perennial, with aromatic, lance-shaped, green foliage, tinted purple. Distinctive pink flowers which sit on a plate of purple bracts in summer and autumn. Likes moist well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade. 100cm high x 50cm wide in 5 years.
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 divaricata 'Clouds of Perfume'
(H5) A spreading semi-evergreen perennial, with trailing stems that root and oval leaves covered in hair. It has loose clusters of fragrant pale lavender-blue flowers, each measuring 2-3cm across, which appear in early summer. Likes a moist but well-drained soil in partial shade. 50cm high x 50cm wide in 5 years.
Phlox divaricata subsp. laphamii 'Chattahoochee' AGM
(H5) A semi-evergreen mat forming perennial growing to 15cm, tiny green leaves and clusters of purpled eyed lavender-blue flowers in summer. Prefers a moist well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade. Ultimate spread 50cm in 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.
Pieris Flaming Silver AGM
(H5) Nodding panicles of white 'lily of the valley' flowers March to May. Pretty, small variegated plant with bright red new leaves, turning deep green with silvery white edges. Height 75-100cm in 10 years. This compact shrub looks wonderful in a shady shrub border with well-drained, acid soil or in a container in a patio or courtyard garden.
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.
Pieris Katsura
(H5) Rosy pink flowers in February and March. Outstanding new plant from Japan with deep bronze new foliage through the year. Best in light shade. Height 125-150cm in 10 years. Requires moist acid soil.
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.
Salvia argentea AGM
Silver sage(H5) A biennial or short-lived perennial that forms a rosette of silvery-woolly, ovate leaves up to 20cm long. In late summer, it produces erect stems with panicles of blush-white flowers. Likes a well-drained soil in full sun. 100cm high x 50cm wide in 5 years.
Salvia nemorosa 'Caradonna' AGM
Balkan clary 'Caradonna'(H7) A compact deciduous perennial with narrow aromatic grey-green leaves. Upright purple-black stems bear violet-purple flowers from summer to autumn. Likes a well-drained soil in full sun. 50cm x 50cm 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.