Companion Plants for a Thriving Garden

Comfrey – With its vibrant blue flowers, comfrey is a magnet for pollinators. It grows rapidly, suppressing weeds while its deep-reaching roots pull up essential minerals from the subsoil—nutrients that other plants can’t access. It’s also an excellent natural fertilizer; comfrey can be cut up to four times per season and used as a nutrient-rich mulch.

Dandelion – Known for their deep taproot, dandelions extract valuable minerals from below the surface, making them available to surrounding plants. Since they bloom early in the season, they provide a crucial nectar source for pollinators, helping to ensure good fruit crop for plums, peaches and early-flowering apple and pear trees.

Marigold – These cheerful flowers not only attract pollinators, the scent of marigolds helps deter some pests, promoting healthier plants and trees. Additionally, they support the growth of beneficial mycorrhizal fungi. Regular deadheading keeps them blooming all summer, and if allowed to go to seed, they’ll self seed and return year after year.

Nasturtium – These colorful, trailing flowers release a unique chemical into the soil, which is absorbed by trees and alters their scent, repelling pests. Nasturtiums are particularly effective at deterring codling moths, a common threat to apple and pear trees.

Chives – As part of the allium family, chives are strong smelling are excellent at deterring aphids and other pests. Once in bloom, they become a haven for pollinators. Other members of the allium family, such as onions and leeks, provide similar benefits.

Dill – A member of the carrot family, dill helps attracts parasitic wasps, which help keep insect populations in check. It also deters cabbage white butterflies and readily reseeds itself, making it a great long-term addition to any garden.

Rosemary – The strong scent helps repels aphids, while its early-season flowers provide an important food source for pollinators.

Stinging Nettles – Nettles are a powerhouse companion plant. They attract beneficial insects like bees, butterflies, and ladybirds. Providing habitat whilst also enriching the soil with magnesium, iron, calcium, and silica. Plants growing nearby gain improved resistance to aphids and fungal diseases, resulting in stronger, healthier growth.

Foxglove – Foxglove flowers help boost tree health by protecting against diseases and fungal infections. Their deep roots release iron into the soil, benefiting neighbouring plants. Caution is needed, as foxglove is toxic to humans and animals due to its digitalis content.

Beans & Peas – As members of the legume family, these plants form a symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria in the soil. This process enriches the surrounding area, promoting strong, healthy growth in neighboring plants.

Lavender – This beautiful smelling herb serves helps attract pollinators while also repelling unwanted pests. Hoverflies, which are attracted to lavender, lay eggs that hatch into aphid-eating larvae, offering natural pest control.