Achillea, commonly known as yarrow, is a stunning flowering plant with a multitude of colors and shapes that can effortlessly blend with any garden. But the beauty of Achillea is further enhanced when paired with other compatible plants, creating a charming, cohesive, and ecologically-sound landscape.
There are many great Achillea companion plants you can use to complement its beauty and create a vibrant, cohesive outdoor space.
From colorful blooms to textural foliage, there are plenty of options to consider. Read on to explore the best Achillea companion plants to add to your garden. If you are interested in learning how to use Yarrow as a companion plant for your garden, I wrote a whole article that I encourage you to read.
Understanding Companion Planting
Companion planting is a system of planting where compatible plants are paired together to enhance each other’s growth, manage pests, and enrich soil conditions, benefiting the ecosystem in the long run (Source: University of Minnesota)
Achillea is the perfect candidate for companion planting as it can tolerate different soil types, sunlight, and weather conditions.
Benefits of Achillea Companion Plants
Apart from enhancing the aesthetic value of your garden, Achillea companion plants have many ecological benefits. They can help in pest management and weed control, improve soil quality, and provide a habitat for beneficial insects and pollinators.
Additionally, companion planting is a natural and chemical-free way to promote a diverse and healthy ecosystem.
And I believe that choosing the right companion plants for your achillea can make all the difference when it comes to creating an attractive, visually appealing garden.
Tips for Successful Achillea Companion Planting
To achieve successful Achillea companion planting, follow these tips:
- Choose plants with similar cultural requirements, such as sun and water needs.
- Use companion plants that bloom at different times throughout the season to create a continuous display.
- Add plants that have different textures and heights to create visual interest.
- Avoid pairing Achillea with plants that are prone to insect and disease problems.
Best Achillea Companion Plants
When it comes to choosing the best companion plants for Achillea, the options are endless, but some of the most popular ones are:
- Echinacea: A tall and colorful plant that can grow up to six feet tall. This plant is known for attracting pollinators and beneficial insects and shares similar cultural requirements as Achillea.
- Salvia: A popular herb with deep blue, pink, or purple spikes that can add height and contrast to any garden bed. It’s a perfect companion plant for Achillea, as the blooms appear at different times throughout the season.
- Brassicas: The Brassicas are a plant family, including radish, turnips, rapeseed, and mustards. Adding Brassicas as an Achillea companion plant has two main advantages: weed suppression and breaking up soil compaction (Source: Michigan State University)
- Lavender: A fragrant herb that blooms at the same time as Achillea, making it a natural pairing. This plant is great for attracting bees and other pollinators to the garden.
- Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia): This tall, elegant plant with silvery-grey flowers perfectly matches Achillea. It is also a great option for adding height and texture to your garden.
- Coneflowers (Echinacea purpurea): Coneflowers are a staple in many gardens, and they work beautifully with achillea. They come in a range of colors, including pink, orange, and purple, and they bloom from midsummer to fall.
- Blanket Flower (Gaillardia): The bright, daisy-like flowers of the blanket flower make them a perfect choice for planting alongside Achillea. These plants prefer full sun and are easy to care for.
- Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta): Black-eyed Susan is a hardy, low-maintenance perennial that produces amass of cheerful yellow flowers from midsummer to fall. It looks stunning when paired with Achillea.
- Sedum (Sedum spectabile): This succulent plant features star-shaped flowers in shades of pink and mauve, which blossom in the late summer when many other plants have finished flowering. It’s a great addition to any Achillea companion plants garden.
- Veronica (Veronica spicata): This plant is another excellent choice for pairing with Achillea. It has a spike-like flower shape and comes in a range of colors, including blue, purple, and white.
- Tomatoes: Tomatoes are excellent companion plants for yarrow. Tomatoes are most likely the most popular summer vegetable. Since tomatoes are generally susceptible to small and large pests, such as aphids, thrips, and whiteflies can damage them. The good news is that using tomatoes as companion plants can help attract predatory insects that feed on tomato pests.
- Oregano: Grown along yarrow plants, oregano can help to supply ample soil space and mulch, which helps to protect against harsh weather conditions.
- Garlic: One of the easiest crops to grow and the easiest fall crop to grow is garlic. Garlic in countless ways. It has a tasty aromatic flavor that can season almost any dish, making it an excellent companion for most plants in the garden. It is also a natural anti-fungal and can repulse pests with its strong scent.
What to read next:
- 5 Of The Best Companion Plants For Your Olive Trees To Know About.
- List Of 11 Animals That Eat Zucchini (And helpful Tips to Keep them away!)
- What To Plant With Tomatoes In Raised Bed: 23 Best Tomato Companion Plants.
Wrapping Up
Achillea is a wonderful plant that can brighten up any garden, but when coupled with the right companion plants, it takes the overall beauty of your garden to the next level.
I believe that by selecting some of the Achillea companion plants outlined above, you can create a dynamic, colorful, and texturally-rich space that is sure to impress.
With the right combination of achillea and companion plants, you can transform your garden into a show-stopping outdoor oasis that you and your family will enjoy for years to come.
I encourage you to go ahead, experiment with different Achillea companion plants, and create your own magical garden.
