Apple trees can be a wonderful addition to your garden, providing delicious fruit and beautiful blossoms. But to help them thrive, it’s important to choose the right plants to grow nearby. Companion plants can help keep pests away, improve soil health, and even boost fruit production. However, not all plants are good neighbors for apple trees.
Luckily, there are many great options that work well alongside apple trees. These plants can make your garden look better, help your trees grow stronger, and create a healthier environment overall.
We’ve put together a list of 10 best companion plants for apple trees, helping you create a thriving and productive orchard space in your garden.
Marigolds
Gardeners love marigolds because of their remarkable resilience to disease and adaptability to a wide range of environments. When the risk of frost has passed in the spring, they can be planted, guaranteeing optimum growth and development. Marigolds, which are well-known for growing swiftly, become established in gardens very quickly and provide constant flowers all through the growing season. Their attractiveness is enhanced by their resistance to common garden pests like deer and rabbits, which makes them a useful addition for hassle-free gardening.
Daffodils
Many gardens are filled with daffodils, which are identified by their vivid spring blossoms. Their planting time is crucial, typically occurring in the fall to ensure proper root development over the winter months. Daffodils are known for being resistant to disease, which means that they require less care than other bulbous plants. These plants are also typically resistant to damage from deer and rabbits, which makes them a dependable option for gardeners who want to prevent wildlife damage.
Chamomile
Chamomile is a climate-adaptable plant that may be cultivated in many US Hardiness Zones, with zones 3 through 9 usually seeing the best results. Gardeners looking for low-maintenance plants will find chamomile to be an intriguing option because of its moderate growth rate and ability to establish itself effectively in a variety of situations. Furthermore, early spring is usually the optimum time to plant it because chamomile prefers chilly weather and can be harvested by mid-summer.
Chives
When it comes to herbaceous plants, chives are unique in that they develop quickly after being sown. They are an excellent alternative for low-maintenance gardeners because of their remarkable resilience to disease. A variety of US Hardiness Zones are suitable for chives, although Zones 3 through 9 have the coldest temperatures where they grow best. Due to their excellent environmental adaptation, gardeners may enjoy their presence with little effort.
Comfrey
Since comfrey grows well in USDA hardiness zones 3 through 9, it can be used in a variety of climates. It resists illness well and may remain healthy with little care, which is something that gardeners find admirable. Compreh is well-known for having a strong root system that reaches deep depths, which aids in soil stability and nutrient cycling. The plant’s deep rooting system also gives it access to nutrients and moisture that its neighbors with shallow roots do not have.
Yarrow
Herbaceous perennial yarrow grows well in hardiness zones 3 through 9, demonstrating its adaptability to a wide range of climates. Yarrow is noted for its rapid establishment under favorable circumstances due to its rapid rate of growth. ‘Moonshine’ is a standout variety with sulfur-yellow flowers, while ‘Cerise Queen’ has bright pink blooms. Both types are well-known for their unique colors as well as for keeping rabbits and deer away, which makes them a practical option for gardeners.
Mint
Mint, a herb with culinary use and a potent scent, grows well in a variety of habitats, but it grows most quickly in US Hardiness Zones 3 through 10. If left unchecked, its extensive root system turns it into an invasive species. Popular varieties with unique smells and oil concentrations that are used in teas and cookery include peppermint and spearmint. Because of its resilience to common pests and illnesses, the plant may withstand harsh conditions and yet develop strongly every season.
Borage
Borage is a versatile plant that grows well in a variety of climates. It thrives in USDA Hardiness Zones 2 through 11. In order to give borage time to establish itself before the summer heat builds up, planting should preferably take place in the early spring when the earth begins to warm. This plant is a great option for gardeners who want to prevent wildlife damage without having to take extra precautions because of its exceptional resistance to deer and rabbits.
Nasturtiums
When the risk of frost has passed in early April, is the ideal time to grow nasturtiums, which bloom in late spring to early summer. These plants are perfect for quickly covering a garden because they grow quickly—they often reach their full size in only a few weeks. Some kinds stand out for their special qualities, like ‘Alaska’s variegated foliage or ‘Empress of India’s deep red blossoms.’ These cultivators provide gardeners with a variety of growth and decorative alternatives.
Lemon Balm
Known for its delightful scent and therapeutic use, lemon balm is a herb that is best grown in the spring, when the risk of frost has passed. It grows most successfully in U.S. Hardiness Zones 4 through 9, which cover a wide range of conditions that it can adapt to somewhat easily. Growers should be patient as this plant grows slowly to moderately, concentrating first on establishing its root system before producing its fragrant leaf.