Companion Plants - Fruit and Nut Guide, New Zealand

1. Companion plants
Companion plants
Some plants are known to benefit each other when they grow together. Also, some plants are
known to be bad companions, so try to avoid having them near your fruit trees – e.g. grass.
Planting 'good companions' under your fruit trees will mean less work for you, as your trees will
be healthier.
How good companions help The top 10 companions
1. They provide food for: Think about:
• bees to pollinate the blossoms • what herbs you like using
• predatory insects to eat the pests • what flowers you like
• birds to pollinate the blossoms and eat • what other plants like the same conditions
pests. as your tree.
Examples: Then choose some of these examples:
- yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
• Bergamot (Monarda didyma) for bees
- sweet cicely (Myrrhis odorata)
- sage (Salvia) • Bulbs (eg snowdrops, daffodils, jonquils,
- lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) garlic, chives) to help with soil nutrients
- borage (Borago officinalis). • Calendula/marigold (Calendula officinalis)
for insects, and as a herb
2. They collect nutrients for other plants in
• Fennel (Foeniculum) for insects, and as a
two ways:
herb
• Their deep roots bring up minerals and
• Lavender (Lavandula) for insects – good in
nutrients to their leaves, which end up
drier soils
rotting on the soil's surface and then the
• Lovage (Levisticum officinale) for insects,
tree's roots can absorb them.
and as a herb
Examples:
- comfrey (Symphytum officinale) • Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) for bees,
- chicory (Cichorium intybus) and as a herb – good in drier soils
- dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) • Sorrel (Rumex acetosa) as a groundcover,
• They absorb nitrogen from the vegetable
atmosphere and when they die, other • Tansy (Tanacetum vulgare) for insects
plants can use it. • Violet (creeping – (Viola odorata) for bees,
Examples: and as a groundcover
- red clover (Trifolium pratense)
Ideas for specific companions for each type of
- lucerne/alfalfa (Medicago sativa)
fruit are given in the section 'Part 3 – Essential
- peas and beans.
Plant Info'. For more information about
3. Groundcovers protect the soil and plant Companion Planting, look at:
roots from the sun and heavy rain. www.urbanorganics.org.nz/node/36
Examples:
- oregano (Origanum vulgare)
- nasturtiums (Tropaeolum majus)
- roman chamomile (Anthemis nobilis)
- strawberries (Fragaria).
64 PART 4: FRUIT & NUT GUIDE www.nec.org.nz/growing-fruit-and-nuts