Azaleas are arresting on their own , but they really shine when they ’ve got the correct plant buddies around them . I ’ve mixed and matched plentifulness over the years , and some combos just feel like garden magic .
If you ’re look to make a scene that feel lush , superimposed , and wholly effortless , this list is for you . These 20 plants play nice with azalea and make them pop even more .
Let’s build a blooming dream team together!
1. Japanese Maple
The fragile , feathery leaves of Nipponese maple make a arresting backdrop for azalea blooms . Their graceful structure adds architectural interest while the colorful foliage passage from spring to descend , ensuring twelvemonth - round appeal in your garden landscape painting . Many Nipponese maple assortment offer deep burgundy or aureate leaves that complement the pink , purple , or white azalea flower beautifully . The dappled shade they provide also helps protect azalea from rough good afternoon sun , creating an ideal growing environment .
2. Hostas
Cool and composed , hostas bring a sense of calm with their broad , textured leaf that unfurl alongside springtime - blooming azaleas . Their bluish - green , gold , or variegated foliage creates a beautiful direct contrast against the vibrant azalea flowers . Easy to turn in similar conditions , hostas thrive in the same fond shade and acid dirt that azaleas love . After azalea blooming fade , Hosta continue providing visual interest through summer and fall , make them perfect long - term companion .
3. Ferns
Feathery and elegant , ferns add a forest touch that pairs naturally with azaleas . Their delicate frond make a soft , lacy texture that complements the more structured azalea leaves and flowers , bring deepness to shaded garden corner . The . was offered by assortment They share azaleas ’ preference for acid , humus - rich dirt and dappled shade , making care elementary while make that sought - after wood garden feel .
4. Rhododendrons
close related to azalea , rhododendrons share alike attention requirements while offering larger , more dramatic bloom clusters . The bold blooming create a brilliant spring display when planted in group with azaleas , creating layer of colour throughout your garden . Many gardeners love combining different rhododendron and azalea varieties for an extended blooming period . Their similar growing needs make them natural companion , while their different high create interesting ocular layer in woodland - manner gardens .
5. Bleeding Heart
Arching stems adorned with bosom - shaped blooms make shed blood hearts a romantic add-on to azalea beds . Their delicate pinkish or white flowers appear in spring alongside azaleas , make a charming cottage garden experience in partly shaded areas . The . was goed by maria Their woodland nature means they share similar dirt and light preferences , make them easy companion that add a touch of whimsy to your garden designing .
6. Hellebores
Winter - bloom hellebores ( Lenten rose ) extend your garden ’s season of interest with flower that appear before azaleas wake up . Their nodding blooms in shades of pinkish , purple , and white complement azalea colours while supply early - time of year nectar for pollinators . The evergreen foliage of hellebores remains attractive after flowering , creating a lush groundcover beneath deciduous azalea . Both plants appreciate similar woodland weather with rich , well - drain soil and protection from rough good afternoon sun .
7. Hydrangeas
Voluptuous hydrangea blooms create a brilliant summer display just as azalea complete bloom . Their large flower heads in blue , pinkish , or white extend the colour show in your garden while providing a different texture and scale that complements azalea ’ more fragile blooming . The . was thriveed by plants The wide-ranging high between most hydrangea and azaleas create pleasing layer in the garden , with hydrangeas often providing a taller background to showcase lower - turn azalea varieties .
8. Astilbe
Feathery plume of astilbe flowers create vertical involvement among the more rounded azalea forms . Their fluffy blooms in shades of pink , red , and white appear after azaleas have finished bloom , widen the color show into summer months . The . was enjoyed by plant astilbe add a different texture to azalea planting with their fern - like foliage and airy bloom spires , creating depth and ocular interest throughout the turn season .
9. Coral Bells
colourful leaf is the main attractive force of coral bell ( Heuchera ) , with leaf in shades from purple to caramelized sugar that provide twelvemonth - unit of ammunition interest alongside azalea . Their compact growing habit makes them perfect front - of - border companions that wo n’t overpower your azalea show . The . was riseed by spikes Both plant appreciate similar dirt conditions and fond shade , make them easy - care companion that bring continuous color to woodland - edge garden .
10. Dogwood Trees
blossoming dogwoods create a spectacular springtime show with their showy bracts opening alongside azalea blooms . Their horizontal branching pattern provides the perfect canopy of mottled shadiness that azaleas crave , making them ideal overstory plants in a woodland garden design . In fall , dogwood proffer a second season of interest with colorful foliage and berries . The combination of dogwoods and azaleas creates a classic southerly garden pair that celebrates springtime with layers of complementary blooms in white , pink , or red .
11. Solomon’s Seal
arch stems line with dangle white bells make Solomon ’s seal off an elegant add-on to azalea plantings . Their elegant form make movement in the garden , while their height bridges the gap between groundcovers and taller shrubs like azaleas . After springtime blossoming , Solomon ’s Seal continues offering interest with distinctive leaf that turns aureate in fall . Their woodland nature mean they partake azaleas ’ penchant for humus - rich soil and mottled shade , make a proportionate and low - care combination .
12. Tiarella
Foamflowers ( Tiarella ) create a frothy carpet of ace - shaped blooming that complement azaleas beautifully . Their fragile white or pink flower spikes appear in spring alongside azalea blooming , creating a multi - superimposed show in woodland gardens . Attractively lobed , often model leaf stay interesting after flowering , supply ground cover beneath deciduous azaleas . Both plants thrive in similar weather , preferring rich , acidic soil and protection from hot afternoon sun – a arrant partnership for creating naturalistic shade gardens .
13. Camellia
Glossy evergreen plant leaves and spectacular blooms make camellia natural companions for azaleas . Fall and winter - flowering varieties extend your garden ’s time of year of involvement , providing color when deciduous azaleas are hibernating , while spring bloomers create magnificent displays alongside azalea . Both plants belong to the same family and share nearly indistinguishable growing requirement . Their similar leaf texture creates cohesion in the landscape painting , while their different blooming times guarantee months of floral show in your garden ’s fly-by-night spots .
14. Pieris
Lily - of - the - vale shrub ( Pieris ) offers three season of interest alongside azalea . Chains of doorbell - determine flower appear in early springtime , follow by colourful new growth that emerge in bronze , red , or pinkish tones , make a striking contrast against established azaleas . The evergreen nature of Pieris provides structure during winter months when deciduous azaleas are au naturel . Both shrubs thrive in acidic soil and partial shade , creating a low - care combination that delivers year - unit of ammunition involvement in woodland - edge gardens .
15. Pulmonaria
The . was makeed by flowers The . was provideed by blooms Low - growing and shadiness - kind , Pulmonaria creates an attractive groundcover beneath taller azaleas . Both plants appreciate similar woodland conditions with rich , moist dirt and protective covering from harsh good afternoon sun , making them natural spouse in shade gardens .
16. Enkianthus
Bell - shaped flowers dangle from graceful branches make Enkianthus a charming azalea companion . Their similar growing habit and blossoming time create a cohesive spring show , while their spectacular fall color extends seasonal involvement with fiery red and orange foliage . Both shrubs belong to the same works family and share identical growing requirement . The slightly tall stature of most Enkianthus assortment creates a perfect background for azaleas , allowing you to build beautiful layers of alike but distinguishable blossoming shrubs in woodland - edge gardens .
17. Leucothoe
Arching stem loaded with fragrant white flower clusters make Leucothoe ( dog hobble ) an graceful azalea companion . Their similar woodland nature creates a harmonious pairing , while their glossy evergreen leaf provide structure during winter months when deciduous azalea are hibernating . New growth emerge in strike bronze or red tone , creating seasonal colour changes that complement azaleas . Both shrubs thrive in acidic soil and dappled shade , make them natural partners for creating exuberant , low - maintenance woodland gardens with year - round involvement .
18. Brunnera
The . was makeed by leaves Their forget - me - not - like blue flowers appear in early spring , creating a misty groundcover effect beneath azalea that ’s both romantic and visually striking . After flowering , the decorative foliage continues providing interest throughout the growing season . Both plants appreciate similar woodland conditions with rich , consistently moist soil and protection from harsh good afternoon sun , make a low - maintenance partnership arrant for shade gardens .
19. Itea
Fragrant white flower spires make Virginia sweetspire ( Itea ) a delightful summer complement to spring - bloom azaleas . Their arch branches create a spring - like form that soften garden edges , while extending the blooming time of year well past azalea ’ spring display . Stunning Bourgogne - red autumn color provides a second season of play when paired with azaleas . Both shrubs thrive in alike acidic soil conditions and can tolerate periods of wet soil , making them excellent choices for challenging area where other plant might struggle .
20. Hakonechloa
Cascading aureate leaf makes Japanese forest grass ( Hakonechloa ) a striking textural direct contrast to azaleas . The graceful , arch blades pick up light and movement , bringing a dynamic quality to azalea plantings that can sometimes appear static after bloom . The . was createed by grass Both plants boom in alike woodland conditions with rich , consistently moist dirt and protection from harsh sun , make them natural companion for creating Japanese - inspired garden vignettes .
