Companion Planting Series: Part Six - The Nightshades

           Here we are at the sixth and final installment of the companion planting series and today the topic focuses on the Nightshade Family. The Nightshade family is scientifically known as the Solanaceae family and it’s not a small family as about 2,700 plants are within it. Although the family originated in South America members of this family now inhabit just about every continent on Earth except for Antarctica.  This diversification started after the Cretaceous-Paleogene extinction event 66 million years ago and saw the mass extinction of about 75% of all life on our planet. As such Nightshades diversified over time becoming adapted to thriving in an assortment of land types but also taking on a variety of forms ranging from epiphytes to trees. A number of species developed a chemical defense in the form of high concentrations of Alkaloid compounds; examples of this are the Nicotine in Tobacco or the Capsaicin in Peppers. The name Solanaceae has some uncertain origins, it is clear that it comes from the Latin word Solanum, but it may come from the shape of many Nightshade plant’s flowers resembling a sun. Take a close look at an Eggplant or Tomato flower and you can kind of see how perhaps given the Latin word for the sun is Sol and the yellow flowers of a tomato are very star-like in shape. Eggplants have a more noticeable and similar shape but often is white or purple but they are still shaped similar to a simplistically drawn sun. Some sources suggest Solanum came from the Latin verb ‘Solare’ which means “to soothe” and given the medicinal uses of some nightshades this may have merit. Regardless of the origins of the name, it is clear what role the most common nightshades in cultivation play in the garden when it comes to companion planting. Without further delay here is a look at the most commonly found nightshades in the garden trade and how they fit into companion planting.

 

Angel’s Trumpet (Brugmansia species)

 

          Angel’s Trumpet when in full bloom is quite the sight to behold since the flowers have scent and are large and dramatic in presentation. However unlike its annual cousin Brugmansia prefers partial shade areas and pairs well with Marigolds and Basil.

 

 

 

Bed of Nails (S. quitoense) & Porcupine Tomato (S. pyracanthum)

 

          These strange Nightshade relatives do double duty in the garden. The Bed of Nails has purple spines while the Porcupine Tomato has bright orange-red spines and due to this they both have a role as an annual part of defensive landscaping as most animals and people will not mess with these plants. Only the Bed of Nails bears edible fruit and both can be used to hold soil in place and are considered short-lived perennials if brought in for the winter.

 

Devil’s Trumpet (Datura metel)

 

          Devil’s Trumpet is sometimes called Jimsonweed, and these days it’s a very cultivated garden annual that comes with double flowers but also has some needs to get the best effect. Datura much like a Tomato needs a lot of organic matter in the soil, regular fertilization and regular irrigation to do its best. Datura pairs well with herbs such as Yarrow, Hyssop, Sage, and flowers such as Marigolds and Verbena.

 

 

 

Eggplant (S. melongena)

 

          Eggplant comes in many shapes, sizes and colors ranging from the traditional Black Beauty to the Turkish Orange Eggplant. According to a few references Eggplant pairs well with Amaranth, and gains protection when planted near beans from Potato Beetles. The one thing most people do not know about eggplant is that they are very drought resistant once established and make excellent candidates for xeric gardening.

 

Garden Huckleberry & Sunberry (S. melanocerasum) (S. retroflexum)

 

          While the berries themselves are unsafe to eat until fully colored up, this plant adds a critical bit of value to your garden in terms of companion planting. In trials it was found that this plant was the preferred nesting site for Assassin bugs which are insatiable hunters of other insects. If grown in large pots that are moved about the garden as pest problems appear These plants help handle it by being a home to even hungrier insects.

 

Ground Cherry (Physalis pruinosa)

 

          Ground Cherries are grown a lot like a Tomato but have the physical structure that is similar to Peppers in that they aren’t a vine, and they have this unique ‘V’ stem and branching structure. Ground cherries are easy to grow and you can tell the fruit is ripe when you gently jiggle the plant and the fruits fall off. Companion planting options for Ground Cherries include Basil, Thyme, Carrots, Marigolds and Peppers.

 

Nightshade Greens (S. macrocarpon) (S. scabrum)

 

          The two species of Nightshade greens are best known for their edible leaf greens. While they both produce fruits the edibility of the fruit is not quite clear. Nightshade greens are a bitter green akin in flavor to something like Broccoli Rabe, and they are a bit rare in the United States. In growing trials last year (S. scabrum) produced four feet tall plants with large leaves that needed no support and seemed to help everything around them grow. The other Nightshade green (S. macrocarpon) which is actually a type of Eggplant, seemed to follow normal growing practices for an domesticated eggplant, but had far better heat and drought tolerance.

 

 

 

Peppers (Capsicum annuum) (C. frutescens) (C. chinense)

         

          While there is no consensus on exactly how many varieties of cultivated peppers there are the range estimates upwards of 50,000 or more cultivated types.  In general peppers grow well with a number of leaf greens such as Dandelion, Chicory and Lettuce but Sweet peppers are known to grow well with Basil and Okra.

 

Petunia (Petunia x atkinsiana)

 

          Petunias are a fairly common annual flower available in a wide range of bloom colors and come in double and triple bloom forms. A smaller flowered cousin the Calibrachoa, a short-lived perennial fills in if you desire smaller more delicate but also more numerous flowers. Petunias in general are known to attract Hummingbirds and also protect Beans against Beetles.

 

Potato, White (Solanum tuberosum)

 

          Potatoes are something that many gardeners try to grow but find varied degrees of success because they require certain things to be productive.  Deep soil that is heavily enhanced with organic matter increases the chances of tubers, but also regular irrigation and fertilizer helps too. The aforementioned practically means that in the home garden growing potatoes in deep containers is the best way to go. In the view of Companion Planting Potatoes do better when planted near Beans, Corn, Cabbages, Marigolds and Eggplants. It is also suggested that planting Flax between rows of Potatoes can help protect against Bean Beetles and Blister beetles.

 

 

 

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicon)

 

          Tomatoes are a garden staple that many gardeners grow but can have trouble with in the North Carolina climate. The main issues tomatoes face in NC are Blossom End Rot and nutrient deficiencies. The former be cured with lime (or an antacid dissolved in water) and the latter with Epsom Salt. Both are less likely to happen if Tomatoes are paired with Marigolds, Carrots and/or Garlic. Some sources suggest planting Borage which has edible flowers and edible young leaves.

 

Tomatillo (Physalis philidelphica)

 

          Tomatillos are the larger form of Ground Cherry but also are not nearly as sweet in flavor. Generally at the supermarket you will see the green fruit, but there are also purple fruited types. Tomatillos pair with the same things as Ground cherries but know that the plants get larger and may need more space.

 

Goji Berry (Lycium barbarum)

 

          Goji Berry is a member of the Nightshade family that is rapidly gaining interest in the United States and for good reason. Goji Berries are full of antioxidants, vitamin A and C as well as fiver and iron. It’s noted that low growing plants like Ajuga, Sweet Woodruff or Creeping Jenny will happily grow near this plant and suppress weeds. In a container it is noted that annuals like Nasturtium and Sweet Alyssum are good companions. What you should not plant near a Goji Berry, is any other member of the Nightshade family or anything from the cabbage family. Goji Berries need space to do their best and the plants around them should not be competitive for nutrients.

 

Tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) (Nicotiana rustica)

 

          True smoking Tobacco can get very large, as individual plants can grow up to six feet tall. If you decide to grow this know that it will need space, and that it will be targeted by every hornworm within a few miles. If you’re not dead set on growing a crop of leaves for smoking tobacco can make for a excellent trap crop for things that otherwise would pillage your other Nightshades.

 

Tobacco, Flowering (Nicotiana alata) (Nicotiana syvestris)

 

          Flowering Tobacco is the form of Tobacco that is not used for smoking, its main feature is its beautiful flowers which bring in pollinators. Flowering Tobacco does have a secondary use as a trap crop for Tobacco Horn Worms as they will often go after it before they attack Tomatoes. In terms of companion planting, Flowering Tobacco pairs well with Marigolds, Basil and Borage. You should never plant Flowering Tobacco near other nightshades as it shares pests and diseases with them and this can amplify your problems.

 

          So, this completes the 2026 discussion about companion planting. I hope all of you out there found it interesting and if you have any questions please post them in reply to this post.

Companion Planting Series: Part 4 - The Aster Family

 

          In today’s post we’re going to talk about the Aster family and this is going to be a pretty big article so you might want to get some refreshments. The Aster Family is scientifically known as Asteraceae, however in older publications it was known as the Compositae. The species was first described in 1740 and given its original name because of how the flowers were essentially made of a composite numerous parts. The core aspect of identifying a member of the aster family is that the flowers have petals, but at the center of the flower is a tightly packed array of tiny flowers called florets. Each of the florets is a flower by itself producing its own pollen, nectar and eventually a seed. Basically when it comes to sexual reproduction Asters operate on producing a larger quantity of seeds to ensure species survival. The family as a whole has more than 32,000 known species spread across about 1,900 genera. The number of species in the genera is only rivaled by the Orchids. Common names for the family also include referring to is as the Daisy, and Sunflower Family. Biologically speaking an aster come in all life cycle types and may be annual, biennial or, perennial or some type in between. Generally asters are considered herbaceous meaning that if they are perennial or biennial they die back to the ground and return from their roots each year. With a species this massive and diverse however it would be impossible to cover them all so in terms of companion planting below is a list of the Aster family members you are most likely to encounter and their uses in your garden.

 

Artichokes

          There are three a types of Artichoke that are generally sold in the nursery trade. The Common Artichoke (Cynara cardunculus var. scolymus)  is the one you see sold at the store in a variety of forms, but the Jerusalem Artichoke (Helianthis tuberosus)  is almost exclusively found in the produce aisle in the form of a bag of tubers. Cardoons (Cynara cardunculus) are sold as plants at some garden centers but can be found in some seed racks in the spring. In general Artichokes and Cardoons both pair well with Peas, Beans, Borage, Arugula, Kale and Onions. Just keep in mind that Artichoke and Cardoon Plants can get pretty big in a season and give them a foot or more of space on all sides. Jerusalem Artichokes are a different animal as it is best to keep them confined to containers as their tuberous roots can rapidly spread and become invasive. They do however pair well with plants that can climb up their stalks which can be up to eight feet tall so things like Field Peas, Pole Beans and, Cucumbers can grow in the same large containers with them.

 

Aster, New England

          New England Aster (Symphyotrichum novaeo-angilae) has a few herbal and medicinal uses but isn’t noted to pair well with the common garden plants that you would expect. This Aster is noted to work best in a sort of Cottage/wild garden role with things like Golden Rod and Joe Pye Weed as well as with other asters such as Echinacea and Rudbeckia.

 

Black-Eye Susan

          The Rudbeckia Family is a very important group of flowering asters that help pollinator populations as they provide pollen, nectar and foliage for specific species of insects’ larvae. Generally speaking you can plant them anywhere and at worst you might have to do a little bit of culling to keep them in their area, but they pair well with most things.

 

Burdock

          Burdock (Arctium lappa) is one of those old-school medicinal herbs that generally is grown by folks in the know about it’s useful properties such as managing Diabetes. It pairs well with Legumes because of their Nitrogen-fixing ability, but all the primary aromatic herbs and Garlic.

 

Chamomile

          The two Chamomiles are garden essentials for anyone planning to have a functional herb garden though they are a bit sensitive in our climate due to our heat. Chamomile is available in two forms, German (Matricaria chamomilla) which is annual, and Roman (Chamaemelum nobile) which is perennial. Interestingly the two have different aromas and flavors, the German Chamomile has more herbal and grassy, Roman Chamomile is sweeter and more apple-like in flavor and scent. Roman Chamomile should be considered a short-lived perennial in our climate as it lasts an up to three years before it finally falls apart. Chamomile as a companion plant pairs well with the cabbage family Onions and Fruit trees.

 

Chicory

          Chicory (Chichorium intybus) is a big deal when you’re talking about the Aster Family because many people have ate or drank chicory and had no idea it was happening. The most famous use of Chicory is in Luzianne Coffee which uses about 33% Chicory. But Chicory has a strong foothold in the produce aisle and in every salad you eat. The most common forms are Raddichio (Chichorium intybus var. foliosum), Endive (Chichorium endivia), Escarole (Chichorium endivia var. latifolium) and, Frisee (Chichorium endivia var. crispum). For companion planting purposes Chicory does well when paired with Peas, Beans and Root vegetables. Chicory has a taproot and will not do well if transplanted a lot but also will handle drought and nutrient deficiencies in the soil better than most herbs and leaf greens will.

 

Coneflower

          In general on the seed rack and at the garden center you will only find one species of Coneflower, Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea). However it might not look very purple because with serious levels of cultivation we’ve brought out an array of colors that decidedly are not purple. At a high end garden center you might find Narrow-Leaf Coneflower (Echinacea angustifolia), Yellow Coneflower (Echinacea paradoxa), Giant Coneflower (Rudbeckia maxima), Cutleaf Coneflower (Rudbeckia lacinata) or even Pale Coneflower (Echinacea pallida). Coneflowers are generally used on Companion Planting because they bring in the pollinators but they also pair up with almost anything just as long as there isn’t a soil type mismatch.

 

Cosmos

          Cosmos (Cosmos species) is generally broken down into two groupings, (Cosmos bipinnatus) and (Cosmos sulphureus). The former produces flowers that tend to be in the range of White, Pink and Red, while the latter produces colors in the Yellow-Orange spectrum with some varieties sporting bright red-orange. It is worth mentioning a third species called Chocolate Cosmos (Cosmos atrosanguineus) produces intensely dark red-brown flowers that take the range of colors for this genus of flowers even further. As far as Companion planting is concerned Cosmos are generally used for their ability to attract pollinators and as a cut flower. In of that they can be planted between Tomatoes or Peppers to bring in predatory insects to counter pests that would otherwise cause you problems.

 

Daisy, Gerber

          Gerber Daisies (Leucanthemum x superbum) are generally bought, sold and grown as a pure ornamental, but the big showy flowers still attract pollinators. They generally pair well with other flowering plants such as Petunias, Dwarf Zinnias, or Purselane/Portulaca which forms a flowering block of plants that no pollinator can resist.

 

 

Dandelion

          Dandelions are often considered the bane of the lawn care industry’s existence and while the Common Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) is not native to North America, it is here and isn’t going anywhere. It’s equally non-native cousins the Pink (Taraxacum pseudoroseum) and White (Taraxacum albidum) Dandelions give us new color options. The Cat’s Ear Dandelion (Hypochaeris radicata) is also not native but similarly useful. However the False Dandelion which is also called Carolina Desert-Chicory (Pyrrhopappus carolinianus) is native and has all the same uses. Dandelions are useful because they still support the pollinator population and the False Dandelion is geared towards the native pollinators making it especially useful. The main use of a Dandelion is its foliage first and it’s taproot second. As such Dandelions are strong accumulators of soil nutrients and as such will pair well with Nightshade crops, Apple trees and other leafy greens.

 

Fall Mums

          Fall Mums (Chrysanthemum x morifolium) have had a name change in the last ten years, they used to be Dendranthema morifolium and before that they were just a chrysanthemum and now they’re back to being a chrysanthemum. Fall mums specifically refer to the Chrysanthemums that are typically sold in September through November. If planted in the ground or in a much larger pot then they came in and, cared for there is a chance they will return the next year as a solid perennial. The main advantage of these plants is that they do bring in Pollinators as far as companion plants go chrysanthemums do not have a specific pairing noted and should be considered just for their pollinator support use.

 

Feverfew & Tansy

          Some books and online guides confuse Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium) for Tansy (Tanacetum vulgare) probably because of their Latin names. The difference is that Feverfew is used herbal-medicinally for migraine-headaches, nausea, and arthritis and fever reduction. Feverfew pairs well with other conventional herbs such as Basil. Chives and Thyme. Tansy is used herbal-medicinal for a different set of problems; intestinal parasites, digestive issues and, rheumatism. The issue with Tansy is that it has a high Thujone content which means it should be used externally only. Tansy is known as a good companion plant for Peaches, Roses, Raspberries, Blackberries, Grapes and other Cane fruits.

 

Lettuce

          I bet some of you were not expecting to see Lettuce (Lactuca sativa) in this list. The lettuce you buy at the store is actually a daisy it’s just rare anyone ever gets to see it bloom so the point can be solidly proven. Lettuce’s wild cousins include Tall Lettuce (Lactuca canadensis) Prickly Lettuce (Lactuca serriola) and Bitter Lettuce (Lactuca virosa). All of the aforementioned wild lettuces are edible if the leaves are picked before they mature and the entire thing gets bitter. Lettuce in general pairs well with the entire Onion family, Radishes, Carrots, Beets, Swiss Chard and any tall plant that can cast a little shade to help keep the lettuces cool.

 

Marigold

          Much like with Lettuce some folks forget that Marigolds are Asters. It might be because the cup-like base of the flowers and the way the petals sit while the center is packed tightly and doesn’t quite look like your conventional Daisy. Regardless Marigolds are one of the America’s biggest contributions to what it means to be and aster. There are three plants that are commonly called a Marigold; the American Marigold (Tagetes erecta), the French Marigold (Tagetes patula) and the Pot Marigold (Calendula officinalis) which is a Marigold in common name only. The African and French Marigolds have a reputation for repelling pests which makes them useful around food crops such as Tomatoes, Cucumbers, Peppers, Potatoes, and Cabbage Crops. Since both the American and French Marigolds are annuals, there are a few Perennial options such as Lemmon’s Marigold (Tagetes lemmonii) and Mexican Mint Marigold (Tagetes lucida). The Calendula or Pot Marigold has the same pairing preferences but is something you are most likely going to have to grow from seed.

 

Thistle, Milk

          Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum) is a biennial plant with a bunch of herbal and medicinal uses. It has deep reaching roots that can help break up compacted soil but it needs a little space as it can get as big as an artichoke in about the same amount of time. It’s best companions are the aromatic herbs such as Sage, Rosemary, Lavender or Thyme.

 

Safflower

          You don’t see many gardeners growing Safflower (Cathamus tinctorius) these days, but the flowers are worth it. Safflower pairs best with other plants that love full sun and dry conditions such as Zinnias, Cosmos, Lavender, Sage, Rosemary and Garlic. Safflower is used to make natural pigments, and its petals and seeds are used medicinally.

 

Sweet Leaf

          The miracle sweetener (Stevia rebaudiana) is a tender perennial and if you look very closely at its tiny white flowers its membership in the Aster family is without doubt. We all know Stevia because its leaves contain a sugar-like substitute and thus dried leaves can be used to sweeten things without causing diabetic issues. In companion planting, Stevia pairs well with Nasturtiums, Thyme, Oregano and Basil.

 

Sunflower, Common

          Sunflowers (Helianthus annuus) are one of those plants that everyone tries to grow at some point in their gardening journey because if you’ve ever seen a field full of them they look amazing. Sunflowers come in a variety of heights, color and now you can even get cousins of the annual sunflower that are perennial.  Sunflowers pair well with Melons, Cucumbers, vining Beans, Peas, Squash and large gourds. Some sources suggest they produce more seeds when paired with the Nightshade family.

 

Sunflower, Mexican

          Mexican Sunflowers (Tithonia rotundifolia) are not like their cousin; they get tall and bushy over the course of a summer and may need support. Despite this Mexican Sunflowers also produce a lot of flowers and come in a range of yellow, Orange and red blooming options. Tithonia pairs well with the same things regular Sunflowers do, but need more room horizontally.

 

Wormwood, Common

          Wormwood (Atemisia absinthium) is an herb with a long history which I suggest you look into because it won’t fit here. I will say that it is a critical ingredient in Absinthe, and apparently it repels critters, flea beetls and cabbage moths which makes it a great companion for your Cabbage family crops. A solution of it can be used as a spray to get fleas off your pets and furry farm animals which makes it super-useful. Wormwood’s cousin Santonica (Artemisia cina) is used medicinally to expel worms from the intestine. Another cousin known as Southern Wormwood (Artimisia abrotanum) has a more pleasant lemony aroma but all the same uses as traditional wormwood plus when used as a medicinal tonic it can help digestive and liver health.

 

Yarrow, Common

          Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) is a well-known medicinal herb that has a bunch of uses including as a forage food. I have to specify that the type I am talking about here is the white-flowering type that has a propensity via underground stolons to get loose. Yarrow as a whole has been heavily cultivated to a point that the ones at the Nursery have different colored flowers but may have lost their chief value as a herbal-medicinal plant. Yarrow is noted in a few places as being more of a giver in that it helps improve nearby plant’s resistance to insects and their ability to survive adverse conditions.

 

Zinnia

          Zinnias (Zinnia species) are a genus of flowering plants that are typically grown from seed but may also be purchased as plants at nurseries and garden centers. They come in a wide range of flower colors such as green, white, yellow, pink, red, orange, purple and even bi or tri-color types. The flower shapes can range from single to semi-single, double and even triple petal forms making them especially versatile in the garden. Zinnias are a powerful attractor of Pollinators but also pair well with the Nightshade family, Cucumbers, Melons and other annual vine fruit.

 

 

          With all of this said I am certain that there are some asters that didn’t make the cut due to oversight or as part of the effort to keep this article short. As I write this final part here, this article is five pages long and has almost thirteen-thousand characters not counting spaces and that’s well over the character limit for Nextdoor and the other places I’d normally post this information. The discussion of the Mint Family which is up next will be longer and might need to be broken up into parts for the sake of easy reading. I hope all of you out there find this post interesting and useful, if you have any questions feel free to leave a comment. Thank you for reading.

Companion Planting Series: Part 3 - The Onion Family

 

Companion Planting Series: Part 3 - The Onion Family

 

          In today’s post we’re going to talk about the Onion family because they are one of the most important plant genera of garden plants for three major reasons; the genus contains herbs, vegetables and ornamental options. All of the Allium genus is found under the Amaryllidaceae family which means that those big red or pink Amaryllis you have out in your yard are cousins.  The Allium genus itself is composed of monocoltyledonous flowering plants with about a thousand accepted species and this means it’s the largest genus in the Amaryllis family. In short for just about every need there’s an Allium. So what makes and Allium an Allium? Well, they are mainly characterized by the presence of a bulb, and potentially fragrant long-lasting flowers as well as a resistance to grazing animals due to compounds they contain called lachrymatory chemicals. These compounds are a chemical defense that is easily volatilized and become airborne or stick to fur, skin or clothing and over stimulate the tear glands. How that works is that a compound called Allinase breaks down to produce two other organic chemicals called syn-propanethol-s-oxide and Lachrymatory-factor synthase. This is what makes you tear up while cutting onions in the kitchen and if an onion is harvested at the wrong time of year it can have a tear gas like effect despite tear gas using different chemicals.

 

          Beyond this the Bulb of an Allium is worthy of description because it’s not like the Corms of Gladiolus or the tubers you see on Potatoes. The outermost dry skin of an Allium bulb is called the tunic and it is what most of the inner layers will become if the plant lives long enough. The inner layers are called Bulb scales and they are fleshy modified leaves that exist to store carbohydrates and water for the Allium’s survival and growth they also act as a protective layer for what is at the center. At the center of things is a shortened modified stem which produces the growing point from which the green stalk and leaves emerge out of the often pointed tip of the bulb. At the very bottom is a hard layer called the Basal Plate, this area contains specialized cells that are geared towards producing what are called Adventitious Roots because they only emerge when there is contact with moisture or the soil. It is off the Basal Plate that offsets or Bulbels will emerge; these bulbels are a form of asexual reproduction where your Allium is effectively cloning itself. In some cases, Alliums are known to produce small bulbs on their stems as is seen in the case of Egyptian Onions. This is also a form of asexual reproduction and is a clone of the parent; these tiny bulbs are called Bulbils. Oddly Egyptian Onions take it even further, and may produce flowers from stems atop the bulbils just to make sure there is a next generation. This is where quantifying the Allium’s lice cycle gets a little hazy, because Alliums grown for food are grown as annuals but are actually biennial or perhaps perennial. Alliums grown as ornamentals are typically considered to be perennial, though as a part of Allium’s nature that might not be exactly true. A lot of members of the Allium species cluster and produce bulbels and form entire colonies Chives and Garlic Chives are great examples of this. What you can’t see is if the original few bulbs are still there or if they’ve been replaced by successive generations, so they may appear perennial but may be living their best biennial lives and you might never know. Elephant Garlic is a good contrast, because they too in time will form colonies but if those colonies are not split eventually the center-most eldest bulbs eventually rot and the middle hollows out as the ring expands ever onward.

 

This is a Red Onion bought from the store, Red Onions are essentially a type of Common Onion. The red pigment makes for a good dye, and is good for you because of the Anthocyanins.

 

 

So, about that companion planting stuff we were supposed to be discussing. Onions are a very reliable plant for use in companion planting, their main and best attribute in the garden is their sheer space efficiency. You can plant between 4 and 9 garlic cloves per square foot and if you’re not growing the larger species of culinary Onions, then 4-6 per foot of row is perfectly acceptable. If you’re growing the herbal Onions (Chives), then give them at least a square foot and watch them fill it. Above all else onions are great neighbors because they seldom become invasive and they help with the critter resistance of your garden. It is well-known that Onions work great with the Cabbage family but they also are knotted to go great with Beets, Swiss Chard, Strawberries, Tomatoes, Lettuce, Summer Savory, Chamomile but do not mix well with Peas or Beans. Your chief pest problem with Allium will be Onion Maggots which are the larva of the Onion Fly (Delia antiqua). However Onions, or their aroma and allopathic compounds will help mask Cabbage from their Cabbage Moth and Cabbage Butterfly problems.

 

 

Chives (Allium schoenoprasum) – Chives are one of the quintessential herbs for the garden, though growing them can be tricky as they are a bit temperamental and in our climate need regular irrigation. Chives pair well with  Carrots and help in Apple orchards by preventing Apple Scab.

 

Chives, Garlic (Allium tuberosum) – Garlic Chives are the easier to grow cousin of Chives and are distinguished by having flat leaves that are not hollow. They pair well with the same things as Chives but spread faster, and some have said they get aggressive under certain conditions.

 

These garlic cloves are from the Garlic I sell at the market. They decided to sprout and once one in a bulb does, others soon follow and so they have to become seed Garlic.

 

 

Garlic (Allium sativum) – Garlic has been a seasoning staple for ages and is easy to grow and does not really get any pests, unless you count envious neighbors who want some. Garlic is said to help in preventing borers when grown around fruit trees, be good with Roses and to, protect Tomatoes from Red Spider Mites.

 

Garlic, Bear (Allium ursinum) – Bear Garlic is a wild species of wild garlic that is native to Europe and Asia, but it was brought to North America via colonization. It is commonly also called Cow’s Leek because cows love to eat it but it can alter the flavor of milk from cows that have eaten it. It is suggested that it be paired with aromatic herbs.

 

These are two of the larger Elephant Garlic cloves from last year's harvest. Elephant Garlic can survive in dry storage for more than a year with no issues.

 

Garlic, Elephant (Allium ampeloprasum variety ampeloprasum) –  Elephant Garlic is the massive cousin of Garlic with a far milder flavor. While technically a type of Leek, it pairs best with vegetables such as Lettuce, Swiss Chard, Beets, Carrots, Arugula or Radishes.

 

Garlic, Society (Tulbaghia violacea) – Society Garlic is a special mention in this listing. It isn’t an Allium, but the bulbs have a very mild garlic flavor and its flowers are great for attracting pollinators.

 

Garlic, Wild (Allium vinale) – Wild Garlic is a bit controversial, it is generally considered a weed and can be found in lawns usually after the smell hits you after you’ve mowed it. Some sources suggest it can rapidly go invasive too so there is that to be considered before cultivating it. It is fully edible but can be very pungent.

Leeks (Allium ampeloprasum) – Leeks have a botanical synonym, (A. porrum) that may appear in some publications. Leeks are a heavy feeder by Allium standards, but they grow well with carrots and fast maturing radishes.

 

This Yellow Onion is of the variety 'Yellow of Parma'. It was one that was in a soup kit and the thing decided to sprout.

 

Onions, Common (Allium cepa) – Whether Yellow, White, Red or Sweet/Vidalia, the conventional onions are a critical kitchen vegetable and seasoning. To add on to the general notes in the article above, did you know you can grind up the dried tunic to make an onion powder seasoning to rival the one you buy at the store?

 

Onion, Egyptian (Allium x proliferum) – Egyptian Onions are also known as Walking Onions, and humorously they are not from Egypt. It is thought they originally came from modern day India or Pakistan. Regardless of that it takes about a growing season to get these to size These are a cheap effectively perennial option for growing near any cabbage family that are being grown as biennials.

 

Onion, Green (Allium fistulosum) – Green Onions, which when fully mature are called Salad Onions follow the same rules as conventional onions in terms of companion planting but reach a harvestable state far faster and can be planted more densely.

 

Onion, Nodding (Allium cernuum) – Nodding Onions are essentially a wild form of Onion native to the Americas and  as such there isn’t much about it being used in companion planting.

 

Onion, Ornamental (Allium species) – Oranmental Onions are considered inedible and are bred for extra-showy flowers and unique foliage. It can be assumed they offer similar virtues as the Common Onion.

 

Onion, Pregnant (Allium cepa variety aggregatum) – Also known as Mother Onions or Multiplier Onions, preganant Onions are very similar to Common Onions with one major difference, they produce offsets far more frequently. They provide the same benefits as Common Onions.

 

Onion, Wild (Allium canadense) – Wild Onions are hard to tell apart from Wild Garlic (A. vinale), look for a fibrous coat on the central bulb, no offset bulbels and leaves that appear near the base of the flowering stem. Presumably the same rules apply here as with Wild garlic.

 

Ramps (Allium tricoccum) – Ramps are that Carolina staple food that is eaten up in the mountains where if you eat too much the aroma gets in your sweat. The companion Planting options are all woodland plants because this too is a woodland plant

 

Shallots (Allium cepa variety aggregatum) – Shallots are often compared to Green Onions because of how they are sometimes used in cooking. Shallots are milder than Green Onions and fit in better with recipes that call for onion but need not be overpowered by onion flavor. They follow the same companion planting rules as Common Onions.

 

We have now covered the members of the Allium family that you are most likely to encounter when considering your planting plans for your garden this year. As I noted before Onions are space efficient, good at attracting pollinators and resistant to critters such as deer. They pair well the cabbage family and a few other vegetables and fruits and of course they aren’t that hard to grow. I know that changes are I missed a few of the alliums in this post and please reply with specific ones that I did not cover and I’ll provide companion planting information as best I can. In the next episode we start on the Asters and after that the mountain of mints.