Fruit trees crop success often depends on the surrounding ecosystem. Companion planting, the practice of growing complementary plants together, enhances the health, productivity, and resilience of fruit trees. By selecting the right companions, gardeners can naturally deter pests, attract pollinators, improve soil health, and create a balanced garden environment. This article explores six easy-to-grow companion plants that pair exceptionally well with fruit trees, particularly apple trees, in the UK. These plants are low-maintenance, widely adaptable, and effective in supporting a thriving orchard. For those looking to buy fruit trees, integrating these companions can ensure a more productive and sustainable garden.
A nursery specialist at CRJ FruitTrees offers insight into the value of companion planting: “Choosing the right companions for your fruit trees can make a significant difference in their growth and yield. Plants like chives and lavender not only deter pests but also attract beneficial insects, creating a natural balance in your garden. When you select fruit trees, consider how companion plants can enhance their performance without competing for resources.” This advice underscores the importance of thoughtful planting strategies to maximise orchard health.
Chives: A Versatile Allium for Pest Control
Chives are an excellent companion for fruit trees, particularly apple trees, due to their pest-repelling properties and ease of growth. Belonging to the allium family, chives emit a mild onion-like scent that deters common orchard pests such as aphids, apple scab, and even deer. Their compact size and grass-like foliage make them ideal for planting around the base of trees, where they act as a living mulch to suppress weeds. Chives also produce attractive pinkish-purple flowers in early summer, which draw pollinators like bees, essential for fruit tree pollination.
In the UK, chives thrive in most soil types, preferring well-drained conditions and full to partial sun. They require minimal maintenance, regrowing each spring with little intervention. Gardeners can plant chives in a ring around the drip line of a fruit tree, approximately one metre from the trunk, to avoid competition with shallow roots. This placement ensures the tree’s root system remains undisturbed while benefiting from the chives’ protective qualities. Additionally, chives are edible, adding culinary value to the garden. Their antifungal properties may also help reduce fungal diseases like apple scab, a common issue in UK orchards.
For those planning to buy fruit trees, chives are a practical choice to pair with new plantings. They establish quickly and provide immediate benefits, making them suitable for both novice and experienced gardeners. Regular trimming of chive flowers can prevent excessive self-seeding, ensuring they remain a manageable companion.
Lavender: A Fragrant Pollinator Magnet
Lavender is a beloved garden plant that serves as an outstanding companion for fruit trees. Its strong fragrance confuses and repels pests such as codling moths, which are particularly troublesome for apple trees. Simultaneously, lavender’s vibrant purple flowers attract bees and other pollinators, boosting fruit set in trees that rely on cross-pollination. In the UK, varieties like English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) are hardy and well-suited to the climate, thriving in sunny, well-drained spots.
Planting lavender near fruit trees, ideally within 25-50 feet, ensures pollinators visit both the companion plant and the tree’s blossoms. Lavender’s drought tolerance makes it ideal for areas under tree canopies, where soil moisture may be limited. It also adds aesthetic appeal, creating a visually pleasing contrast with the greenery of fruit trees. For gardeners looking to buy fruit trees, lavender is a low-maintenance option that enhances both the ecological and ornamental aspects of an orchard.
Beyond its practical benefits, lavender can be harvested for culinary uses, crafts, or aromatherapy, adding versatility to the garden. Care should be taken to avoid overwatering, as lavender prefers drier conditions. Pruning after flowering keeps the plant tidy and encourages healthy growth, ensuring it remains a long-term companion for fruit trees.
Comfrey: The Nutrient Accumulator
Comfrey is a powerhouse companion plant known for its deep roots and ability to improve soil health. Its extensive root system, which can reach several feet into the ground, draws up nutrients and minerals from deep soil layers, making them available to fruit trees with shallower roots. When cut back, comfrey leaves decompose quickly, serving as a nutrient-rich mulch that enriches the soil with nitrogen and potassium. This makes it particularly beneficial for young fruit trees establishing their root systems.
In the UK, the ‘Bocking 14’ variety of comfrey is recommended due to its sterility, which prevents it from self-seeding and becoming invasive. Comfrey thrives in partial shade, making it ideal for planting under the canopy of fruit trees. It is also drought and frost-resistant, requiring minimal care once established. Gardeners should plant comfrey at least one metre from the tree trunk to avoid root competition, cutting back the leaves periodically to use as mulch.
For those looking to buy fruit trees, comfrey offers a sustainable way to enhance soil fertility without relying on chemical fertilisers. Its ability to outcompete weeds further reduces maintenance, allowing gardeners to focus on their trees. While comfrey is not typically edible, its medicinal uses and ecological benefits make it a valuable addition to any orchard.
Marigolds: Bright Defenders of the Orchard
Marigolds are a cheerful and effective companion for fruit trees, known for their pest-repelling properties and vibrant blooms. Their strong scent deters nematodes and other soil-dwelling pests, protecting the roots of fruit trees. Above ground, marigolds discourage aphids and attract beneficial insects like ladybugs, which prey on common orchard pests. Their bright orange and yellow flowers also draw pollinators, supporting fruit production.
In the UK, French and African marigolds are popular choices, thriving in sunny conditions and well-drained soils. They are easy to grow from seed and can be planted around the base of fruit trees or in nearby beds to create a diverse ecosystem. Marigolds tend to self-seed, reducing the need for replanting, though gardeners may need to thin seedlings to prevent overcrowding. Their low-growing habit makes them ideal for suppressing weeds, further benefiting fruit trees.
When planning to buy fruit trees, marigolds are a cost-effective and low-effort companion that adds both function and beauty to the garden. They are particularly effective for apple trees, as they help reduce pest pressure and enhance soil health. Avoiding planting marigolds near brassicas, such as cabbage, ensures they do not attract pests that could harm other garden plants.
Nasturtiums: Sacrificial Protectors
Nasturtiums are a dynamic companion plant, acting as a sacrificial crop to protect fruit trees from pests. Their peppery leaves and vibrant flowers attract aphids and caterpillars, drawing these pests away from valuable trees. This makes them particularly useful for apple trees, which are susceptible to codling moths and other insects. Nasturtiums also attract pollinators and beneficial insects like hoverflies, which prey on aphids, creating a balanced ecosystem.
In the UK, nasturtiums are easy to grow, thriving in poor soils and full sun. They can be planted at the base of fruit trees or in nearby beds, where their trailing habit provides ground cover to suppress weeds. Their edible leaves and flowers add culinary value, making them a practical choice for gardeners. Nasturtiums are annuals but often self-seed, ensuring their presence in subsequent seasons.
For those looking to buy fruit trees, nasturtiums offer a low-cost, low-maintenance way to protect young trees during their establishment phase. Care should be taken to monitor their spread, as they can become vigorous in fertile soils. Regular harvesting of leaves and flowers keeps them in check while providing fresh produce for the kitchen.
Chamomile: A Gentle Soil Enhancer
Chamomile is a delicate yet powerful companion for fruit trees, known for its ability to deter pests and improve soil health. Its strong scent repels aphids and mites, while its daisy-like flowers attract beneficial insects like hoverflies and parasitic wasps, which control pest populations. Chamomile also adds nitrogen to the soil, benefiting nutrient-hungry fruit trees like apples and pears.
In the UK, both German and Roman chamomile are suitable, with German chamomile (Matricaria recutita) being particularly effective for companion planting. It thrives in well-drained soils and partial shade, making it ideal for planting under fruit trees. Chamomile’s low-growing habit minimizes competition with tree roots, and its flowers can be harvested for tea, adding a practical benefit.
Gardeners planning to buy fruit trees can use chamomile to create a healthier orchard environment with minimal effort. Planting it on the east side of trees provides morning sun while protecting it from intense afternoon heat. Regular harvesting of flowers encourages continuous blooming, ensuring ongoing benefits throughout the growing season.
Creating a Fruit Tree Guild
The concept of a fruit tree guild, a permaculture practice, involves combining multiple companion plants to create a self-sustaining ecosystem around a fruit tree. By integrating chives, lavender, comfrey, marigolds, nasturtiums, and chamomile, gardeners can address various needs: pest control, pollination, soil enrichment, and weed suppression. This approach is particularly effective in the UK, where diverse plantings help mitigate the challenges of variable weather and pest pressures.
To establish a guild, start by assessing the needs of your fruit trees. Apple trees, for example, benefit from companions that deter codling moths and apple scab while attracting bees for pollination. Plant companions in a ring around the tree’s drip line, ensuring they do not compete with the tree’s roots. Use a layer of compost and mulch, such as cardboard or wood chips, to suppress weeds and retain moisture. Avoid planting nutrient-hungry crops like potatoes or invasive species like bamboo near fruit trees, as they can deplete resources.
Regular maintenance, such as pruning lavender and cutting back comfrey, ensures the guild remains balanced. Observing the garden over time allows gardeners to adjust plantings based on performance, creating a dynamic and resilient orchard. For those looking to buy fruit trees, starting with a guild approach can enhance long-term success, particularly for dwarf or patio varieties suited to smaller UK gardens.
Practical Tips for UK Gardeners
When incorporating companion plants, UK gardeners should consider the local climate and soil conditions. Most of the companions discussed thrive in the UK’s temperate climate, but proper placement is key. Ensure plants receive adequate sunlight, as many, like lavender and marigolds, prefer full sun. For trees in containers, such as dwarf apple trees, companions like nasturtiums can be planted in the same pot, provided the container is large enough to avoid root competition.
Soil preparation is critical. Before planting companions, enrich the soil with compost to support both the tree and its companions. Avoid chemical pesticides, as they can harm beneficial insects attracted by plants like chamomile and lavender. Instead, rely on the natural pest-repelling properties of these companions to maintain a healthy garden.
Timing is also important. Plant companions in spring or autumn, when fruit trees are dormant, to minimise root disturbance. For newly planted trees, wait until the second year to introduce companions, allowing the tree to establish first. This approach ensures the tree’s energy is focused on root development rather than competing with other plants.
Conclusion
Companion planting offers a practical, organic way to enhance the health and productivity of fruit trees in UK gardens. Chives, lavender, comfrey, marigolds, nasturtiums, and chamomile are easy-to-grow options that provide pest control, pollination, and soil improvement. By carefully selecting and positioning these plants, gardeners can create a thriving orchard ecosystem that reduces maintenance and boosts yields. Whether you’re a novice or seasoned gardener, these companions make fruit tree cultivation more rewarding and sustainable, ensuring your garden flourishes for years to come.
