Companion plants for Rhododendron
Rhododendron blooms from May through June. It wants part shade and moderate water. The 8 companion pairings below each state why the pairing works.
Blooming before Rhododendron opens
Windflower
Takes part sun to part shade and moderate water; blooms in early spring, before this one opens; low at 6 in, to carpet the ground beneath; both are strong pollinator plants, and they feed in different months.
Eastern Redbud
Takes part sun to part shade and moderate water; blooms in mid spring, before this one opens; both are strong pollinator plants, and they feed in different months; taller at 23 ft, for the layer behind it.
Serviceberry
Takes part sun to part shade and moderate water; blooms in mid spring, before this one opens; both are strong pollinator plants, and they feed in different months; taller at 20 ft, for the layer behind it.
Taking over as Rhododendron finishes
Wishbone Flower
Shares part shade and moderate water; overlaps, then carries the display into early fall; low at 10 in, to carpet the ground beneath; both are strong pollinator plants.
Lobelia
Takes part sun to part shade and moderate water; low at 8 in, to carpet the ground beneath; overlaps, then carries the display into early fall; both are strong pollinator plants.
Turtlehead
Takes part sun to part shade and moderate to high water; blooms in late summer, extending the bed's season; both are strong pollinator plants, and they feed in different months; lower at 3 ft, for the front of the border.
Blooming alongside
Primrose
Shares part shade and moderate water; opens in early spring and overlaps into this one's season; low at 8 in, to carpet the ground beneath; both offer pollinator forage.
Flowering Dogwood
Shares part shade and moderate water; opens in mid spring and overlaps into this one's season; both are strong pollinator plants; taller at 23 ft, for the layer behind it.