Recommended Companion Plants
Selecting appropriate companion plants enhances the ‘Ruby Falls’ redbud’s visual appeal and garden ecosystem. These plants should share its preference for well-drained soil and adaptable sun (full sun to partial shade). Many options offer textural contrast or complementary colors to the redbud’s purple foliage and early pink blooms.
For vibrant ground-level interest, consider Heuchera (Coral Bells), offering diverse foliage colors from deep purple to lime green, contrasting the redbud. These perennials thrive in partial shade and well-drained soil. Astilbe introduces delicate, feathery plumes in white, pink, or red, providing soft texture and blooming in moist, partial shade. Lenten Rose (Helleborus orientalis) offers evergreen foliage and early spring blooms in white, pink, or deep purple, extending the flowering season before the redbud emerges and tolerating part to full shade.
For sunnier areas, Catmint (Nepeta) presents fuzzy, gray-green foliage and lavender-purple flower spikes throughout summer, providing fine texture and deer resistance. Sedum varieties, with succulent leaves and late-season blooms, offer excellent drought tolerance and various foliage colors to complement or contrast the redbud. As groundcovers, Ajuga (Bugleweed) forms a dense carpet of dark purple foliage with blue spring flowers, tolerating sun and shade while suppressing weeds. Wild Ginger creates unique texture with heart-shaped leaves, ideal for shadier, moist locations.
Compact shrubs like Spiraea cultivars provide pink or white flowers and colorful fall foliage, fitting well in sunny or partly shaded spots. Abelia offers fragrant, bell-shaped flowers from late spring into fall and glossy leaves that turn purplish-bronze, adapting to similar sun conditions. Among ornamental grasses, Japanese Forest Grass provides elegant, arching green foliage that turns golden in fall, thriving in partial to full shade and adding soft, flowing texture. For sunnier spots, Blue Fescue creates neat clumps of fine, silver-blue foliage, offering cool color and contrasting texture.
Designing with Companion Plants
Thoughtful arrangement of companion plants around the ‘Ruby Falls’ redbud enhances garden aesthetic and plant health. Begin by establishing layers: position taller shrubs or ornamental grasses as a backdrop to the redbud (6 to 8 feet tall). Place mid-height perennials in front, and low-growing groundcovers at the forefront, creating visual depth and guiding the eye.
Consider year-round interest, combining evergreens for winter structure with deciduous plants for seasonal changes in bloom, foliage, or texture. Develop a cohesive color scheme, perhaps using cool blues and silvers to contrast the redbud’s warm purple, or a monochromatic purple palette. Ensure adequate spacing for mature size, allowing proper air circulation and preventing overcrowding, which is important for plant health. This strategic placement supports visual harmony and minimizes resource competition.
Maintaining Your Companion Planting
Ongoing care ensures the continued health and vigor of your ‘Ruby Falls’ redbud and its companion plants. Consistent watering is important, especially during dry periods, to maintain evenly moist soil. Applying organic mulch around plant bases conserves soil moisture, regulates temperature, suppresses weeds, and provides slow-release nutrients as it breaks down.
Occasional early spring fertilization with a balanced, slow-release product supports healthy growth, but avoid over-fertilizing the redbud. Regularly monitor for pests or diseases for early detection and intervention, keeping all plants in optimal condition. Light pruning of companion plants for shape or to remove spent blooms encourages reblooming and maintains a tidy appearance, contributing to long-term success.