This post may contain affiliate links.
Blueberries bring beauty and bounty to the garden with spring blossoms, sweet summer fruit, and brilliant fall color. These compact shrubs are relatively easy to grow as edible perennials, even though they tend to grow at a slow to moderate pace.
Since they rely on pollinators to produce fruit, planting herbs and flowers nearby can help boost yields. Choosing the right companion plants supports the health of your blueberry bushes but also creates a thriving, visually appealing garden. Here are 18 great companion plants to grow alongside your blueberry bushes.
Lemon Balm
Lemon balm gives off a fresh lemony scent. It makes quite a useful companion near your blueberry bushes. While it’s a hardy perennial that grows well in the ground or containers, it can spread aggressively if not kept in check.
Aside from keeping pests away,
Onions
Growing onions near blueberry bushes is highly beneficial. The scent of onions helps keep away pests that usually target blueberry plants.
As members of the allium family, onions won’t overshadow your blueberries or compete for water. This makes onions an excellent companion for co-planting with blueberries.
Bee Balm
True to its name, Bee Balm is a magnet for bees as well as butterflies and hummingbirds. Part of the mint family, it’s easy to grow and provides aromatic flowers that spread joy and color. It works well as a companion plant to blueberry bushes.
Lupine
Lupine stands out with its striking spires of blue blossoms, adding a bold and beautiful presence to the garden. Lupine is a valuable companion to blueberries, enriching the soil with nitrogen to promote healthier growth.
Thriving in cooler climates, lupine flourishes in full sun to partial shade and prefers well-drained soil. Though relatively low-maintenance, it benefits from occasional deep watering during dry spells to keep its roots hydrated.
Azaleas dazzle with spring blooms in vivid shades, and some varieties offer foliage that lasts all year. They enjoy slightly acidic, well-drained soil and can brighten sunny and partially shaded spots. Azalea makes a great companion to blueberry bushes.
These 21 Pretty Pink Plants Are Everything Your Garden Has Been Missing
Dill
The delightful yellow flowers of
Strawberries
Strawberries grow well near blueberry bushes, acting as a living mulch that shades the soil, holds in moisture, and keeps weeds at bay. Their shallow roots won’t compete much with blueberries, but they still thrive in the same slightly acidic, well-draining soil. As a bonus, their blossoms draw in pollinators, which can boost blueberry yields.
Basil
One interesting aspect of companion planting is that many crops that pair well in the kitchen thrive together in the garden. For example, basil is a great companion plant for blueberries, and if you’ve never had them in a salad together, you are totally missing out!
Basil, a fragrant herb, thrives in shady spots and adapts well to the soil conditions favored by blueberries. It attracts beneficial insects and wards off common garden pests, all without competing for nutrients with your blueberry bushes.
Chives
The mild onion scent of chives is potent in repelling pests like aphids, deer, and Japanese beetles. Their striking pom-pom flowers attract pollinators like bees, enhancing your garden’s ecosystem. Chives’ versatility extends to the kitchen, where their snipped stems can be added to salads, soups, and dips.
Thyme
This low-growing perennial is essential for vegetable gardens, with its delicate flowers attracting beneficial insects. Thyme’s compounds are known to repel ants and aphids, making it an excellent companion for blueberries.
Parsley
Parsley’s tiny flowers attract ladybugs, a natural predator of aphids and hornworms. As a low-growing herb, it complements blueberries by enhancing biodiversity without overshadowing them.
Marigolds
The vibrant blooms of marigolds draw a variety of beneficial insects, from bees to butterflies and wasps. Their bright colors and diverse textures make them a visually appealing addition to any blueberry patch.
14 Eye Catching Orange Flowers That Will Make Your Garden More Vibrant
Garlic
Emitting a strong aroma,
Sage
Sage is a low-maintenance herb that deters cabbage moths and attracts beneficial insects for improved pollination and aphid control. It shares similar growth habits with blueberries, making it an ideal garden companion.
How to Start a Herb Garden from Scratch
Lavender
Known for its striking purple hue and soothing aroma, lavender attracts butterflies but is despised by deer. It pairs perfectly with blueberries.
16 Most Fragrant Flowers That Add Sweet Scents to the Garden
Yarrow (Achillea)
With its drought tolerance and clusters of colorful flowers,
19 Sun Loving Perennials Perfect for Sun-Kissed Gardens
Oregano
This perennial herb is renowned for its pest-repellent properties and thrives under conditions similar to blueberries. Interspersing oregano throughout the garden can greatly benefit the overall health of your plants.
Borage
An easy-to-grow annual borage attracts insects with its delicate purple flowers and is a superb companion for blueberries. It is drought-tolerant and requires minimal water, making it a low-maintenance addition to any blueberry garden.
Plants to Grow for a Mosquito-Free Yard
Here are some of the best plants you can grow in your yard to help keep mosquitoes at bay.
12 Plants to Grow Now for a Mosquito-Free Summer
20 Best Plants for Container Gardening
Container gardening can be as fulfilling as large-scale farming regarding growing and harvesting your own food. Whether planting in your backyard, on a balcony, on a patio, or in an urban homestead, here are some of the best plants that are perfect for growing in containers.
