Companionship is often an important part of our lives. We are innately social creatures that benefit from interaction with others. The companionship that we crave may come in the form of a spouse, a family member, a neighbor or a pet. Someone who will listen to our problems and celebrate our successes. The knowledge that someone cares for us reduces feelings of loneliness, increases our happiness, gives us a sense of purpose, and lowers our stress level. These all have both mental and physical health benefits. Companions encourage and enable us to be the best versions of ourselves.
Human beings are not the only living things that benefit from companions. Plants benefit from them as well. Companion planting is a gardening technique that includes planting at least two different types of plants near each other. It is a proven gardening practice that has been in existence for thousands of years. There is evidence that Romans and Grecians knew the benefits of companion planting. Indigenous Americans used the three sisters method of planting beans, squash, and corn together to the mutual benefit of all three crops. Through companion planting, plants grow stronger and healthier. Certain plant combinations deter pests, enhance the soil, reduce weeds, attract hummingbirds and support pollinators. This column will spotlight annual flowers, perennial flowers, herbs, groundcovers, and native plants that can be planted in partnership for the benefit of your landscaping.
When planted closely, Yarrow(Achillea) and Little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) repel harmful insects. Roses and garlic paired together also tend to reduce the number of insects in an area. The annual flowers nasturtiums and marigolds lower the quantity of harmful insects in a garden. The aromatic leaves of lavender when paired with stonecrop (Sedum) also help to repel insects. Many herbs can be incorporated into a perennial flower bed to assist in lowering the population of mosquitos. Basil, parsley, oregano, and lemon balm also help to protect us from getting bit by mosquitos.
Native plants not only maintain soil health, but also help to restore it. Switch grass (Panicum), with its deep roots, helps to break up compacted soils and can be planted with Spigelia (Spigela). Meadow Anemone (Anemone canadensis) when paired with Yellow Corydalis (Corydalis lutea) will also improve the soil structure. White Baptisia(Baptisia alba) and Blue Baptisia(Baptisia australis are both considered nitrogen fixing plants. Nitrogen is a vital nutrient for plant growth. These plants take nitrogen that is present in the air and turn it into a form that surrounding plants can use a fertilizer.
Underplanting and interplanting of flowers help to keep sunlight from reaching weed seeds. This reduces germination rates and lowers the amount of weeds in a landscaping bed. The dense foliage of Coreopsis (Coreopsis) and Black eyed Susan (Rudbeckia) pair well together to suppress weed growth. Creeping thyme (Thymus praecox), sweet woodruff(Galium odoratum), and hostas (Hostas) may be intermingled with other plants to help suppress weed growth. Weeds are often choked out due to the voracious growth patterns of Yarrow (Achillea) and Liatris(Liatris).
Coneflowers (Echinacea) may be planted with Black eyed Susan (Rudbeckia fulgida). This combination will allow for the attraction of pollinators. To support monarch migration, consider planting Goldenrod (Solidago) and New England Aster(Symphyotrichum novae-angliae) together in your yard. Anise Hyssop(Agastache)and Garden Phlox (Phlox paniculata) also work in unison to support pollinators.
Joe Pye weed (Eutrochium fistulosum) and Blue Flag (Iris versicolor) both work together to attract hummingbirds. Bee balm (Monarda)and Milkweed (Asclepias)are very supportive of pollinators, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Tubular-shaped flowers such as Cardinal flower(lobelia) and Obedient plant(Physostegia) both provide excellent food sources for hummingbirds.
Just as the plants in our garden benefit from others, we benefit as well. I wish you a garden full of plants and a life full of friends. As Misty Copeland once said “Anything is possible when you have the right people there to support you.”
Kathleen Carr is the owner of The Growing Scene, Inc.,a landscaping company. She can be reached by calling 815-923-7322 or emailing her at Kathleen@thegrowingscene.com. Have a gardening question? Please contact her. She may address it in an upcoming column.
