There is nothing like the taste of strawberries grown in your own garden. The juicy fruits are definitely one of the great pleasures of late spring or early summer. Besides growing strawberries in dedicated garden beds on their own, they can also be grown alongside other edible and ornamental plants to add another level to your home garden.
Strawberries can be added to hanging baskets or containers for an unexpected spiller. Native varieties that have smaller fruits work well as a ground cover in hard-to-plant spots, shrub borders, and pollinator gardens. Don’t forget about the brilliant red foliage of strawberries in early spring and fall, which provides extra color to mixed seasonal containers on a deck or patio.
Most strawberry varieties require full sun and well-draining soil. The soil should retain moisture and contain plenty of organic material to support fruiting. A soil pH of 5.0-6.5 is ideal for strawberries, although they will also grow well in neutral soils.
Shrubs To Plant With Strawberries
Acid-loving shrubs such as blueberries, azaleas, rhododendrons, daphne, and some hydrangea varieties make great partners for strawberry plants. Grow the strawberries as an edible groundcover to make the most of the space in a small garden. Roses also do well with strawberries in a healthy garden bed. Use caution pairing these two in areas of high pest or disease occurrence. Strawberries and roses are both part of the Rosaceae family and can pass diseases to each other.
Perennials To Plant With Strawberries
Plant strawberries near other perennial fruit and vegetable plants to create a low-maintenance edible garden. Rarely do strawberries grow large enough to shade out other perennials in the garden, and their spread can be easily kept under control with seasonal pruning. To ensure vigorous growth of perennial produce plants, fertilize on a seasonal basis with well-composted manure and other organic matter.
Early cropping vegetables like artichoke, cardoon, and asparagus pair naturally with strawberries and will benefit from the weed-suppressing abilities of a strawberry groundcover. Of course, the classic combination of strawberries and rhubarb make delicious pies but they also grow well together in the garden. Alternatively, strawberries can be grown alongside more ornamental herbs and perennials. Adaptable yarrow, catmint thyme, and sage are all great pairings that have fabulous foliage textures and shapes to add interest to the garden.
Annuals To Plant With Strawberries
Any annual that grows well in partial shade to full sun will make a lovely companion for strawberries. Edible plants such as basil, dill, and borage will bloom after the strawberries have finished fruiting to carry on color throughout the summer months. Sweet alyssum, calendula, and cosmos all encourage beneficial pollinators to the garden, ensuring the well-formed fruits.
Photo by K M, unmodified, Flickr, copyright CC BY 2.0 DEED
Planting catch crop plants to lure pests away from strawberries is a great alternative to spraying chemicals. Nasturtiums, chervil, radish, and lettuce will help to keep aphids, squash bugs, slugs, and snails away from the juicy, forming strawberries.
Best Companion Plants For Strawberries in Containers
Add a few strawberry plants to a decorative hanging basket or other container to trail over the sides. Making use of hanging baskets in a small garden is a great way to grow edible plants while still displaying plenty of seasonal color. Add a few herbs such as chives or basil to create a lovely summer combination that looks as good as it tastes. Ornamental annuals like petunia, calibrachoa, vinca, and lantana can be planted with strawberries to make an eye-catching design that looks good from the spring to the first frost of fall.
Plants Not To Grow With Strawberries
A few plants will not grow well in the same bed as strawberries, most notably the cruciferous family of edible plants. Cabbages, cauliflower, broccoli, and kale are just a few members of this large family that struggle when grown next to strawberries. Nightshades such as tomatoes, peppers, and tomatillos contract many of the same pests and diseases as strawberries and can increase the risk of disease transmission when grown in proximity.
Growing strawberries amongst other groundcovers can be a challenge. Usually, either the strawberries overwhelm the slower-growing plant, or both plants languish because of the competition for nutrients and moisture. This is why strawberries do not pair well with aggressive spreaders such as periwinkle, ajuga, and creeping Jenny.
Best Plants To Grow With Strawberries
Strawberries will grow fabulously in most USDA hardiness zones. Growing them alongside other perennials or annuals will not only improve their fruit production and pest resistance but also add ornamental value. The crinkly textured leaves and unexpected fall color show makes strawberries a showy plant for containers and beds. Use the natural trailing tendency of the strawberries as a robust groundcover near shrubs and perennials.
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Author Robbin Small - Published 4-24-2024 |