People often ask me what plants I put with Rhododendrons. As rhododendrons are such shallow-rooted plants, the following work well as companion plantings. Here’s a quick list of my favourites: hellebores, hydrangeas, lilies, dahlias, hostas, Chatham Island lilies, and trilliums. These plants thrive in a mix of hot and shady spots, and I also love adding Heucheras for their beautiful foliage.
![Left: Yellow daffodils with green leaves growing in mulch-covered soil. Right: Close-up of a white trillium flower with green leaves.](https://rhododirect.co.nz/storage/2024/07/Web-site-images-2024-2-300x300.jpg)
Left: Yellow daffodils Right: Close-up of a white trillium flower with green leaves.
![Image split vertically; left side shows yellow daffodils growing amidst green foliage and brown soil, right side features clusters of purple grape hyacinths surrounded by grass and leaves.](https://rhododirect.co.nz/storage/2024/07/Web-site-images-2024-1-300x300.jpg)
Left side shows yellow daffodils. Right side features clusters of purple grape hyacinths.
![Left: Yellow daffodils with green stems and leaves growing in a mulched garden. Right: Close-up of white azaleas with yellow centers surrounded by green foliage.](https://rhododirect.co.nz/storage/2024/07/Web-site-images-2024-300x300.jpg)
Left: Yellow daffodils Right: Close-up of white azalea Persil with yellow centers.
![Top left: Close-up of a cluster of yellow and pink flowers. Top right: Single white flower with a yellow center. Bottom: Dense cluster of dark purple leaves.](https://rhododirect.co.nz/storage/2024/07/New-Garden-1-1-300x300.jpg)
Top left: Close-up of azalea softlights. Top right: Single white daffodil with a yellow center. Bottom: Dense cluster of dark purple chocolate ruffles heuchera.
![Collage of flowers: top left, a white hellebore; top right, a yellow and orange daffodil; bottom, pink and green hellebores. The flowers are surrounded by green leaves and garden mulch.](https://rhododirect.co.nz/storage/2024/07/New-Garden-2-300x300.jpg)
Collage of flowers: top left, a white hellebore; top right, a yellow and orange daffodil; bottom, pink and green hellebores.
![A collage of three flowers: white rhododendron with yellow centers (top left), blue anemones (top right), and a plant with dark purple foliage (bottom).](https://rhododirect.co.nz/storage/2024/07/New-Garden-1-300x300.png)
Azalea Percil (top left), blue anemones (top right), chocolate ruffles heuchera (bottom).