Grow Better Together: Companion Gardening for Trees

Companion gardening is a simple yet effective strategy for backyard gardeners looking to enhance plant health, boost yields, and manage pests naturally. By planting certain species together that offer mutual benefits, gardeners can create a thriving, low-maintenance garden ecosystem. Whether you’re growing trees, shrubs, or vegetables, companion gardening helps improve soil quality, attract beneficial insects, and reduce the need for chemical interventions. This guide provides practical insights into how companion gardening can benefit your garden and trees, along with tips on choosing the right plant partners.

What is Companion Gardening?

Companion gardening is the practice of planting different species together that provide mutual benefits. This approach takes advantage of the natural relationships between plants to improve growth, enhance soil health, attract beneficial insects, and minimize pests. By strategically pairing plants, gardeners can create a more resilient and productive garden with fewer chemicals and less effort. For trees, this means selecting companion plants that complement their needs for space, nutrients, and protection, whether it’s through nitrogen-fixing plants, pest-repelling herbs, or plants that enhance biodiversity. Whether you’re planting fruit trees, shrubs, or ornamental varieties, companion gardening can help you create a thriving, low-maintenance ecosystem.

Key Benefits for Backyard Gardens

Companion gardening offers several advantages that help backyard gardeners grow healthier, more productive gardens with minimal effort. Here are some key benefits:

• Improved Soil Health: Some companion plants, like legumes, naturally fix nitrogen in the soil, enriching it for surrounding plants. This reduces the need for synthetic fertilizers and helps maintain a balanced, fertile growing environment.
• Natural Pest Control: Certain plants, such as marigolds or garlic, can repel pests that commonly harm trees and other garden plants. By including these pest-repelling companions, you can reduce your reliance on chemical pesticides.
• Enhanced Pollination: Companion plants like flowers attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies, boosting the pollination of your fruit trees and enhancing yields.
• Increased Biodiversity: A diverse range of plants can help create a balanced ecosystem that supports beneficial insects, improves plant resilience, and encourages a healthier garden overall.
• Maximized Space and Resources: By strategically pairing plants that complement each other’s growth habits and resource needs, you can optimize space and reduce competition for nutrients, light, and water.

Companion Gardening Plants for Trees

Selecting the right companion plants for trees is an effective way to enhance growth, improve soil quality, and support overall garden health. The following are examples of beneficial companion plants for common tree species, such as spruces, maples, oaks, and others, that can help create a thriving and low-maintenance garden.

1. Spruce Trees (Picea spp.)

Spruce trees, including species like white spruce (Picea glauca) and Norway spruce (Picea abies), thrive in cool, moist environments and often benefit from companion plants that can tolerate shade and help retain moisture.

• Ferns: Ferns like the lady fern (Athyrium filix-femina) thrive in the shade beneath spruces, providing ground cover that helps retain moisture and prevents weeds.
• Wildflowers: Shade-loving wildflowers such as bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis) and trillium (Trillium spp.) can grow well in the spruce understory and add beauty while supporting pollinators.
• Woodland Groundcovers: Plants like wild ginger (Asarum canadense) can serve as excellent ground cover, helping to retain moisture and provide a natural barrier against weeds.

2. Maple Trees (Acer spp.)

Maples, such as sugar maple (Acer saccharum) and red maple (Acer rubrum), do well in a variety of soil types and are known for their wide canopies and vibrant fall colors. The following companions can enhance maple tree health and attract beneficial insects.

• Comfrey (Symphytum officinale): Comfrey’s deep roots bring up nutrients from lower soil layers, enriching the soil for maples. Its broad leaves also provide mulch for moisture retention.
• Bee Balm (Monarda didyma): Bee balm attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies, which benefit both the maple tree and other plants in your garden.
• Violets (Viola spp.): Violets thrive in the shade of maple trees and provide beautiful ground cover, preventing soil erosion and adding color to the understory.

3. Oak Trees (Quercus spp.)

Oak trees, such as white oak (Quercus alba) and red oak (Quercus rubra), are large, long-lived trees that provide abundant shade. Their companions should be plants that can tolerate their dense canopy and acidic soil.

• Wild Garlic (Allium canadense): Wild garlic helps repel pests like aphids and moths that may target oak trees, while also adding a mild fragrance to the garden.
• Ferns: Oak trees often grow in forested areas with moist, shaded conditions, making ferns like Christmas fern (Polystichum acrostichoides) a great companion for the oak understory.
• Bluebells (Hyacinthoides non-scripta): These plants thrive in the shaded environment provided by oak trees and offer a splash of color in spring, while attracting pollinators like bees and butterflies.

4. Pine Trees (Pinus spp.)

Pine trees, such as Eastern white pine (Pinus strobus) and Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris), grow in acidic, dry soil and are best paired with plants that can tolerate these conditions.

• Heather (Calluna vulgaris): Heather is well-suited to the acidic soil beneath pines and provides year-round interest with its colorful flowers.
• Creeping Juniper (Juniperus horizontalis): This low-growing shrub thrives in the dry, acidic conditions near pines and provides excellent ground cover while stabilizing the soil.
• Wild Strawberries (Fragaria vesca): Wild strawberries grow well in the dry, well-drained soil found around pine trees and provide an edible ground cover that attracts pollinators.

5. Birch Trees (Betula spp.)

Birch trees, including white birch (Betula papyrifera) and yellow birch (Betula alleghaniensis), prefer moist, well-drained soil and benefit from companions that can thrive in similar conditions.

• Lady Fern (Athyrium filix-femina): Lady ferns grow well under the dappled shade of birch trees, providing a lush ground cover that helps retain moisture and reduces weed growth.
• Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis): This native wildflower adds a burst of color while thriving in the moist, acidic soil that birch trees prefer.
• Wood Sorrel (Oxalis spp.): This low-growing plant tolerates the acidic, shady conditions of birch forests and provides a cheerful ground cover.

6. Cherry Trees (Prunus spp.)

Cherry trees, such as sweet cherry (Prunus avium) and sour cherry (Prunus cerasus), can benefit from companion plants that attract pollinators and support soil health.

• Chives (Allium schoenoprasum): Chives help deter pests like aphids, which can damage cherry trees, while also attracting beneficial insects.
• Marigolds (Tagetes spp.): Known for their pest-repelling properties, marigolds can help protect cherry trees from insect pests while adding color and beauty.
• Lavender (Lavandula spp.): Lavender is another plant that repels pests like aphids and can help attract pollinators to your cherry trees.

General Tips for Choosing Companion Plants:

• Similar Soil Requirements: Ensure companion plants share similar soil preferences with your tree—whether acidic, neutral, or alkaline—so both can thrive in the same conditions.
• Watering Needs: Pair plants that have compatible water requirements. For instance, trees that need more moisture, like birches, can be paired with moisture-loving plants, while drought-tolerant pines should be surrounded by hardy, dry-loving companions.
• Growth Habits: Avoid choosing companion plants that will outgrow or overshadow the tree. Ground covers, low shrubs, and plants that grow in the shade are ideal for large trees like oaks and spruces.

Incorporating Edible Trees into Companion Gardens

Incorporating edible trees into companion gardens is an excellent way to maximize space while enhancing biodiversity and providing food for you and local wildlife. Whether you are planting fruit, nut, or berry-producing trees, these trees offer both aesthetic value and the potential for harvest. By choosing the right companions, you can improve soil health, attract pollinators, and support overall tree health.

1. Fruit Trees (Malus, Prunus, Pyrus, etc.)

Fruit trees, such as apple trees (Malus spp.), cherry trees (Prunus spp.), and pear trees (Pyrus spp.), are popular choices for edible gardens. These trees typically need full sun, well-drained soil, and adequate space for their canopy. Here are some great companion plants to pair with them:

• Herbs: Herbs like basil (Ocimum basilicum), thyme (Thymus vulgaris), and oregano (Origanum vulgare) can help deter pests from fruit trees while improving the flavor of the fruit.
• Nasturtiums (Tropaeolum majus): Nasturtiums are natural pest deterrents, especially against aphids and whiteflies, and their vibrant flowers attract pollinators.
• Comfrey (Symphytum officinale): Comfrey’s deep roots pull up essential nutrients, enriching the soil around fruit trees. It also acts as a ground cover that suppresses weeds and helps retain moisture.
• Chives (Allium schoenoprasum): Chives can help repel aphids, spider mites, and other pests that commonly affect fruit trees, while their flowers attract pollinators.

2. Nut Trees (Carya, Juglans, etc.)

Nut trees such as walnut (Juglans spp.), hickory (Carya spp.), and hazelnut (Corylus spp.) are valuable long-term investments for backyard gardeners. These trees thrive with companions that can tolerate partial shade and help manage the rich, nitrogen-rich soil created by their roots.

• Clover (Trifolium spp.): Clover is an excellent companion for nut trees as it fixes nitrogen in the soil, enriching it for the trees. It also serves as ground cover, preventing soil erosion and promoting biodiversity.
• Dandelions (Taraxacum officinale): Dandelions can be beneficial around nut trees by attracting beneficial insects, such as pollinators, and their deep roots help aerate the soil.
• Borage (Borago officinalis): Borage is known to enhance the flavor of fruits and nuts, attracting pollinators like bees while deterring pests such as the codling moth that may affect nut trees.

3. Berry Trees (Ribes, Vaccinium, Rubus, etc.)

Berry-producing trees and shrubs, including currants (Ribes spp.), blueberries (Vaccinium spp.), and raspberries (Rubus spp.), offer easy-to-grow, productive additions to any companion garden. These plants often thrive in acidic soils and benefit from the following companions:

• Mint (Mentha spp.): Mint can be a helpful ground cover for berry trees, as its strong scent repels pests like aphids and ants. Be cautious of its spreading nature, though, and consider planting it in containers to control growth.
• Yarrow (Achillea millefolium): Yarrow is an excellent companion for berry trees, attracting beneficial insects and pollinators while helping to keep pests at bay.
• Garlic (Allium sativum): Planting garlic around berry trees can help repel aphids and Japanese beetles, common pests of berry crops. Garlic also improves soil structure and health.
• Marigolds (Tagetes spp.): Marigolds help deter nematodes and other pests while attracting pollinators, making them a good companion for berry trees.

4. Medicinal and Functional Edible Trees (Sambucus, Morus, etc.)

Medicinal trees, such as elderberry (Sambucus spp.) and mulberry (Morus spp.), offer both edible fruits and leaves with potential health benefits. These trees benefit from being paired with companions that enhance their growth while supporting other parts of the garden.

• Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare): Fennel attracts pollinators and beneficial insects while providing an aromatic herb that can deter pests. It pairs well with elderberry trees, which thrive in moist, fertile soil.
• Chicory (Cichorium intybus): Chicory provides ground cover for medicinal trees and helps improve soil health. Its deep taproot also aids in soil aeration.
• Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis): Lemon balm attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies, which benefit both the medicinal trees and other parts of the garden. It can also be used as a flavorful herb in the kitchen.

5. Permaculture Trees (Alnus, Ficus, etc.)

Certain trees, like the nitrogen-fixing alder (Alnus spp.) and fig (Ficus spp.), can help improve soil fertility and structure. They are often used in permaculture systems to support the growth of other plants and trees.

• Vetch (Vicia spp.): Vetch is a nitrogen-fixing legume that can be planted alongside alder trees to enhance soil fertility. It helps balance the soil and improve its overall health.
• Sweet Potatoes (Ipomoea batatas): In warm climates, sweet potatoes can grow well alongside figs, providing edible ground cover and helping to retain moisture around the tree’s base.
• Lupines (Lupinus spp.): Lupines are another nitrogen-fixing plant that supports tree growth by enriching the soil and attracting beneficial insects like bees.

General Tips for Incorporating Edible Trees in Companion Gardens

• Consider Growth Habits: When planting edible trees, make sure the companions won’t compete with them for space, water, or sunlight. Choose plants that grow well beneath or around the tree without overshadowing it.
• Improve Soil Health: Many edible trees benefit from plants that enrich the soil with nitrogen or organic matter. Legumes like clover, peas, and beans can work well in many edible tree settings.
• Attract Pollinators: Planting flowers that attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators near your edible trees will help improve fruit and nut yields.
• Control Weeds: Ground covers like thyme, clover, or comfrey can reduce weed growth around the base of your edible trees while also offering additional benefits, such as nutrients or pest control.

Designing Companion Gardening for Small Spaces

Companion gardening is a fantastic way to maximize the potential of a small space, whether it’s a small backyard, balcony, or urban garden. By carefully selecting the right plants, you can create a productive, aesthetically pleasing garden that not only supports plant health but also provides food, beauty, and habitat for beneficial insects. Here are some tips and strategies to design a successful companion garden in small spaces:

1. Vertical Gardening

In small spaces, utilizing vertical space is key to increasing your garden’s productivity. Vertical gardening allows you to grow plants upward, freeing up ground space for other companion plants.

• Trellises and Arbors: Use trellises to grow climbing plants like beans, peas, cucumbers, and even tomatoes. These plants will thrive next to companion plants like basil or marigolds, which can deter pests.
• Vertical Planters: Consider stacking planters or using wall-mounted containers for growing herbs, lettuce, spinach, or strawberries. These can be paired with smaller trees or shrubs like dwarf apple or fig trees.
• Espalier Trees: Espaliering is the practice of training fruit trees, such as apple or pear trees, to grow flat against a wall or fence. This maximizes space while still allowing you to harvest fresh fruit.

2. Raised Beds and Containers

Raised beds and containers are an excellent choice for small-space gardens. These structures elevate plants, provide better drainage, and allow for more precise control over the soil.

• Multi-layered Raised Beds: Create raised beds with multiple layers of plants. The lower layer can hold companion ground covers, like clover or thyme, while the upper layer houses taller crops or trees. For example, you could grow strawberries around a dwarf apple tree, creating a layered, edible garden.
• Self-Watering Containers: Consider self-watering containers for more consistent moisture levels, especially for crops like tomatoes or herbs that need regular hydration. These containers can be placed close together to maximize space.

3. Choose Dwarf and Compact Tree Varieties

When designing a companion garden in small spaces, selecting dwarf or compact tree varieties is crucial. These trees are specifically bred to stay smaller and more manageable, making them ideal for tight spaces.

• Dwarf Apple Trees: These are perfect for small backyards or patios, and they can be paired with low-growing herbs like oregano or thyme, which thrive in the same growing conditions.
• Miniature Fruit Trees: Consider growing small citrus trees (e.g., lemons or limes), fig trees, or dwarf peach trees. These trees can be grown in containers or small raised beds and paired with flowering plants like lavender or marigolds, which attract pollinators.
• Columnar Trees: Columnar varieties of trees, like columnar apple trees or upright junipers, are ideal for small spaces. These trees grow in a narrow, upright form, allowing for vertical growth while minimizing the horizontal space they occupy.

4. Use Companion Plants to Maximize Space

In small spaces, every inch counts, and companion plants can help you maximize the potential of your garden. Select plants that benefit each other, either by improving soil quality, deterring pests, or providing shade and support.

• Herb Gardens: Herbs like basil, thyme, and rosemary grow well alongside vegetables or small fruit trees. These can also double as edible crops or pest deterrents. For example, plant basil near tomatoes to repel pests and improve flavor.
• Ground Covers: Ground covers like clover or thyme not only suppress weeds but also help retain moisture and enrich the soil, making them perfect companions for trees like apple or plum.
• Companion Plant Layers: Create layers of plantings. The bottom layer could feature low-growing herbs or flowers, while medium layers host vegetables or strawberries, and taller trees or shrubs grow on top. Dwarf trees can be used as the focal point, with edible ground covers or flowers around them.

5. Plan for Seasonal Changes

Small spaces require careful planning, especially when it comes to seasonal changes. Choose plants that will offer year-round interest or harvest.

• Seasonal Rotation: Plan for different plantings in spring, summer, and fall. For example, plant lettuce and spinach early in the season alongside early fruiting trees like cherries. Follow up with tomatoes and basil once the weather warms.
• Winter Interest: Even in a small garden, winter can be a season of interest. Select trees with attractive bark, evergreen foliage, or winter berries, such as hollies or dwarf pines, and complement them with winter-blooming flowers like pansies or hellebores.

6. Efficient Watering Systems

Water management is crucial in small spaces to avoid over-watering or under-watering plants. Installing an efficient irrigation system helps ensure that every plant, especially trees, gets the right amount of water.

• Drip Irrigation: Install a drip irrigation system to target the roots of plants and trees, ensuring efficient water delivery without waste. Drip systems are especially beneficial for container plants and raised beds.
• Rain Barrels: If space allows, collect rainwater in barrels to water your garden. This is a cost-effective, eco-friendly way to keep your garden healthy and hydrated.

7. Utilize Mulching

In small-space gardens, mulching is a simple way to conserve moisture, suppress weeds, and improve soil health.

• Organic Mulch: Use organic materials like wood chips, straw, or grass clippings around your trees and plants to keep the soil cool and hydrated. Mulch can also add nutrients back into the soil as it breaks down, benefiting both trees and companion plants.

8. Design for Accessibility and Aesthetics

While maximizing space is essential, designing a garden that’s easy to access and visually appealing is also important in small areas. Ensure paths or walkways are wide enough for easy movement and that plants are placed in a way that allows for adequate air circulation and sunlight. Use attractive companion plants that complement each other in color and texture to create a beautiful, functional space.

Key Takeaways for Small Space Companion Gardening:

• Maximize vertical and horizontal space through trellises, raised beds, and container gardening.
• Choose compact, dwarf tree varieties and make use of plants that complement each other in terms of growth habits.
• Utilize efficient watering systems like drip irrigation and mulch to conserve water and reduce maintenance.
• Plan for seasonal diversity with plants that provide year-round interest and harvest.

By carefully designing a companion garden in small spaces, you can create a highly productive and beautiful garden that not only maximizes space but also enhances plant health and biodiversity. Whether you’re growing fruit trees, herbs, or edible ground covers, the right companions can make a significant difference in the success of your garden.

Simple Tips for Success

Creating a thriving companion garden, even in a small space, requires some thoughtful planning and attention to detail. Here are some straightforward tips to help you succeed and make the most out of your companion gardening efforts:

1. Start Small and Plan Ahead

When beginning your companion garden, don’t overwhelm yourself by trying to plant too many species at once. Start with a few key plants that will grow well together. Plan your layout so that taller plants don’t overshadow shorter ones, and ensure each plant has enough space to thrive without crowding others.

• Tip: Begin with easy-to-grow trees, such as dwarf fruit trees (apple, cherry), and companion plants like marigolds, basil, or garlic, which provide natural pest control and promote healthy growth.

2. Group Plants by Similar Needs

A crucial element of companion gardening is grouping plants with similar light, water, and soil requirements together. This reduces maintenance and promotes healthy growth for all plants.

• Tip: For trees like spruces or maples, plant them with low-maintenance ground covers like clover or thyme, which can handle similar moisture levels and light conditions.

3. Incorporate Pest-Repellent Plants

Some plants can act as natural pest repellents, keeping harmful insects away from your trees and other plants. Use fragrant herbs and flowers like lavender, marigolds, or nasturtiums around your trees to repel pests.

• Tip: Marigolds are great for deterring root nematodes and aphids, while garlic and chives can help keep away pests from fruiting trees like apple or peach.

4. Rotate Companion Plants Annually

To maintain soil fertility and prevent plant diseases, it’s important to rotate plants every year. This is especially crucial in small spaces where the same plants may be exposed to the same pests and soil issues year after year.

• Tip: If you plant legumes, like peas or beans, near trees one year, rotate them with leafy greens or root vegetables the following year to break pest and disease cycles.

5. Mulch and Water Smartly

Mulching conserves moisture, reduces weeds, and improves soil health, especially in small gardens. Apply a 2-3 inch layer of organic mulch around your trees and companion plants. It’s also essential to water smartly, particularly when growing in containers or raised beds.

• Tip: Use mulch made from straw, leaves, or wood chips. Water at the base of the plants to avoid wetting the foliage and potentially encouraging disease.

6. Ensure Proper Pollination

For fruiting trees, proper pollination is crucial. Be sure to plant companion plants or other tree varieties nearby to attract pollinators like bees and butterflies. Companion flowers like lavender, sunflowers, and zinnias will bring these beneficial insects into your garden.

• Tip: Plant at least two fruit trees of the same species or related varieties (such as two apple trees) for cross-pollination and better fruit production.

7. Pay Attention to Sunlight

In small gardens, it’s vital to ensure that each plant gets the right amount of sunlight. Tall trees can create shade, so plant sun-loving companion plants like tomatoes or herbs in areas with full sunlight and shade-tolerant plants, like hostas or ferns, under tree canopies.

• Tip: Place your sun-loving plants in the south or west side of your garden, where they’ll get the most sunlight, while shade-tolerant plants can go under trees or on the north side.

8. Observe and Adapt

Every garden is unique, and what works one year might not work the next. Take time to observe how your plants interact with each other and the surrounding environment. If you notice certain plants thriving while others struggle, consider swapping out plants or adjusting the layout to better suit their needs.

• Tip: Keep a gardening journal to track plant growth, pest issues, and companion success. This helps you improve your garden year after year.

9. Stay Organized with Plant Labels

In small gardens, especially when using multiple companion plants, it’s easy to forget which plant is which. Use labels to keep track of what’s been planted and its needs (e.g., watering requirements, sunlight preferences).

• Tip: Label your plants with weather-resistant markers or use color-coded tags for easy identification. This also helps in rotating plants or adjusting care throughout the seasons.

10. Experiment and Have Fun

Companion gardening is not an exact science, and part of the fun is experimenting with new combinations of plants. Don’t be afraid to try new plant pairings and see how they work together. Learning from your successes and failures is a valuable part of the gardening journey.

• Tip: Experiment with colorful flowers like marigolds or zinnias next to trees like oaks or maples to enhance beauty while supporting plant health.

Key Takeaways for Success:

• Start small and expand as you learn which combinations work best.
• Group plants by similar needs to promote healthy growth and reduce maintenance.
• Incorporate pest-repellent plants and ensure proper pollination for healthy harvests.
• Rotate crops annually to maintain soil fertility and reduce pest problems.
• Pay attention to sunlight and use mulch for moisture retention and weed control.

By following these simple tips, you can ensure your companion garden thrives in any space, large or small. With a little attention and care, your garden will flourish and provide you with a rich harvest, vibrant flowers, and healthy trees for years to come.