Companion Plants for Pine Trees: What are the best options?

Last Updated on: 9th December 2023, 01:38 pm

Pines create much soil acidity, here are some appropriate plants to grow.

What are the best companion plants for pine trees? It’s a question asked by many Eastern North Carolina property owners.

Pine trees are widespread across Eastern North Carolina and can be lovely. However, growing other plants in the same area can be challenging due to the acidic soil surrounding pine trees. This soil can have a pH of 4.5 to 6, which is not ideal for most plants. However, several plants can thrive in this environment and make great companion plants for pine trees. 

The soil surrounding pine trees is acidic due to the accumulation of needles, twigs, and other organic matter that decomposes over time. This acidic soil and semi-shaded lighting can stunt the growth of plants, but several plants are well-suited to this environment. Choosing the right companion plants allows you to create a beautiful and diverse landscape around your pine trees.

6 Plants That Make the Best Companion Plants for Pine Trees

These six plants make good companion plants with pine trees.

1 – Azalea

Azalea is a popular choice for planting near pine trees. It produces showy, fragrant flowers in various colors, including pink, red, white, and yellow. The foliage is evergreen, providing year-round interest. Plant azaleas in the spring or fall and keep the soil consistently moist. Azaleas require an average of one to two inches of water per week and prefer a soil pH of 5.0 to 5.5, making them ideal companion plants for pine trees. They love filtered sunshine but not the full shade.

2 – Rhododendron

Like azaleas, rhododendrons are members of the Ericaceae family and are well-suited to grow in the partial shade of pine trees. The perfect pH? 4.5 to 6.0. They produce large, showy blooms in various colors, including pink, purple, red, and white. The foliage is evergreen and substantial, making for an attractive landscape year-round. Plant rhododendrons in the spring or fall and give them one or two inches of water weekly.

NOTE: Azalea and rhododendron are separate, albeit closely related, flowering shrubs. They are both in the rhododendron genus and very similar. While all azaleas are rhododendrons, not all rhododendrons are azaleas. Using the term interchangeably is common and widely accepted.

3 – Gardenia

Gardeners covet gardenias for their fragrant, white flowers that bloom from spring through summer. The dark green foliage provides a striking contrast to the white blooms. Gardenias must be planted in well-drained, consistently moist soil, requiring about one to two inches of water per week. When you invest in a gardenia, search for a hybrid that can tolerate some winter cold, as not all cultivars are cold-tolerant. They love the acidity near pine trees, preferring a pH of 5.0 to 6.5.

4 – Blueberries (many berries are ideal companion plants for pine trees)

Blueberries are an excellent choice for planting near pine trees, as they can handle acidic soil. They produce sweet, juicy berries that are delicious for eating fresh or in recipes. Blueberries should be planted in the spring or fall and require about one to two inches of water per week, perhaps a bit more, while producing berries. The ideal pH for a blueberry shrub is 4.5 to 5.5.

Many berries are well-suited to the acidic soil, and filtered light surrounding pines–blackberries, mulberries, and elderberries all work well.

5 – Ferns

Ferns are a versatile and hardy group of plants that can handle the acidic soil near pine trees. How hardy are they? They’re so adaptable that their ancestors date back to the dinosaur era, and they re-emerged after the Ice Age. Their only request is consistently moist, well-draining soil and a semi-shaded to full-shade spot to grow. Ferns come in numerous beautiful shapes and sizes and can provide year-round interest. Ferns prefer moist soil, so provide them with one or inches of water per week. This incredibly easy-going, lush plant will enjoy a pH range of 4 to 7.

6 – Pachysandra

Pachysandra is a shade-tolerant, aggressively spreading perennial that prefers a soil pH of around 5.5 to 6.5. It loves soil that drains fast and is full of organic matter, like all those pine needles and bits of bark that drop. It can take over an entire shade garden in just a few years, making it excellent if you want to fill the area thoroughly. Provide about an inch of water per week, and watch them go! They are the perfect companion plants for pine trees.

The Takeaway: Plan Carefully and Find Acidic-Soil Lovers for Companion Plants for Pine Trees

Planting near pine trees is tricky due to the acidic soil. But understanding which plants benefit from that acidity can help you select the best companion plants for pine trees to create a more beautiful landscape. Please connect with Tayloe’s Lawn Care on Facebook, or contact us for a customized lawn care program.