Summer Spectacular Blooms: Unleash Vibrancy with These 5 Best Companion Plants Recommended by Experts
Celosia, vibrant plants native to warmer climates, can add a burst of color to sunny summer borders. With numerous varieties available, ranging in height and suitable for container growing, careful companion plant selection can further enhance their display.
The optimum companion plants for celosia not only complement their aesthetic appeal, but also help maintain garden simplicity by thriving in similar conditions. Horticultural experts have shared their top five picks for planting alongside celosia.
Mandevilla
Horticulturist Justin Hancock from Costa Farms suggests mandevilla as an excellent companion for celosia. Both prefer full sun, regular watering, well-draining soil, and warm temperatures. Moreover, mandevilla and celosia complement each other visually, especially when pairing mandevilla with spike- and plume-type celosia flowers. The mounding mandevilla varieties create a striking contrast with celosia's upright flower form.
Playing with color combinations also offers an opportunity for creativity, choosing from traditional red-on-red or pink-on-pink, to more daring combinations like orange-on-pink. Mandevilla plants are frost-tender like celosia.
To find mandevilla live plants, visit Amazon.
Justin Hancock is a Costa Farms horticulturist with over 25 years of experience in the industry. With a degree in Horticultural Science and expertise in garden centers, botanical gardens, garden publishing, and garden designing, he is a plant enthusiast, educator, and the co-host of the Costa Farms podcast Plant Rx.
Zinnias
Senior horticulturist Amy Enfield from ScottsMiracle-Gro recommends growing zinnias next to celosia due to their shared need for full sun and well-drained soil. The different flower textures of zinnias and celosia create eye-catching mixed borders or container plantings. Zinnias are also popular among pollinators, attracting butterflies and bees. They are easy to grow from seed.
For regular blooming, Amy recommends deadheading zinnias and watering them at the base of the plant in the morning to allow the foliage to dry, thereby preventing fungal diseases like powdery mildew.
Interested in growing zinnias in your garden? Burpee has a wide range of zinnia seeds available.
Amy has 30 years of experience in the lawn and garden industry and 12 years with ScottsMiracle-Gro. She holds a BS and MS in Horticulture from Michigan State University and a PhD in Plant and Environmental Sciences from Clemson University.
Annual Vinca
Justin Hancock also mentions annual vinca (Catharanthus) as a suitable companion for celosia due to their jewel-tone colors and frost-tender nature. Plant them in a sunny spot with well-draining soil to enjoy their fast growth and low-maintenance care.
Ageratum
Ageratum's fluffy, powder-blue blossoms provide a nice textural and color contrast to the bolder celosia flowers. They prefer similar growing conditions as celosia and are generally treated as annuals, as they are frost tender. When young, pinching the growing tip of ageratum encourages branching and creates a fuller, bushier habit.
For the best results, water ageratum plants only when the soil is dry, as they do not like "wet feet" and are prone to root rot if the soil is kept too wet.
Amazon offers ageratum seeds for purchase.
Helichrysum
Justin suggests several Helichrysum varieties as annual companions for celosia due to their diverse forms and beautiful silver foliage. This addition complements any garden design, including celosia. The licorice plant variety is suitable for planting in pots, while upright varieties like 'Icicles' serve as striking counterparts for plume-type celosia selections.
Both helichrysum and celosia prefer regular watering, but not overly moist soil. Be cautious as some types of Helichrysum are regared as invasive plants in certain regions.
By choosing these companion plants and ensuring suitable conditions, gardeners can create a visually stunning and pollinator-friendly garden display featuring vibrant celosia and compatible companions.
- Incorporating mandevilla, zinnias, annual vinca, ageratum, and helichrysum as companions for celosia can help maintain a harmonious garden display while appealing to pollinators.
- These vegetation choices, like celosia, thrive in similar conditions, favoring full sun, well-draining soil, and warm temperatures, creating an idyllic lifestyle for both plants in a home-and-garden setting.
