I’ve spent years growing everything from hardy perennials to finicky exotics. Along the way I’ve learned that some plant pairings are just asking for trouble. And brunia definitely has its preferences about neighbors.
So I’m going to help you with what actually works (and what absolutely doesn’t) when it comes to companion planting with brunia.
Understanding Brunia
First things first – brunia isn’t your average garden plant. Native to South Africa, they have become incredibly popular in floral arrangements and wedding bouquets. But in the garden? That’s where things get interesting.
Brunia plants are particular about their growing conditions. They thrive in well-drained, slightly acidic soil with moderate water and plenty of sunshine. But more importantly, they don’t like sharing certain resources and they can be downright hostile to some plant neighbors.
The problem isn’t just aesthetic – planting the wrong companions near your brunia can stunt its growth, reduce those beautiful blooms or even kill it entirely. And at $15-20 per plant, that’s an expensive mistake to make.
Brunia has unique root systems that compete aggressively for certain nutrients. They also produce natural compounds in their root zones that can inhibit the growth of certain plants – a phenomenon called allelopathy. Not all plants do this, but brunia definitely falls into this category.
So these are the plants you want to avoid planting near your brunia.
Plants Not to Plant With Brunia
1. Water-Loving Plants
Brunia hates wet feet. Try planting brunia next to something like a cluster of irises and watch it develop root rot within weeks.
Problem plants include:
- Irises
- Astilbe
- Hostas
- Ligularia
The issue here is simple – those all need consistent watering that will absolutely drown your brunia. Even if your brunia survives, it’ll be stunted & produce fewer of its signature blooms.
2. Heavy Feeders
I’ve seen total disaster when planting brunia alongside the likes of dahlias. The dahlias thrived initially – until they didn’t. And the brunia never really established at all.
Avoid these:
- Dahlias
- Roses
- Tomatoes (yes, some people mix vegetables with ornamentals!)
- Sunflowers
The problem? These plants require tons of nutrients, especially nitrogen. Since brunia evolved in relatively poor soil conditions, it can’t compete with these hungry neighbors & will slowly starve while the others thrive. Even with regular fertilizing the brunia’s unique root system just can’t grab nutrients fast enough when these competitors are nearby.
3. Plants with Incompatible Soil Needs
Brunia prefers slightly acidic soil conditions. Plant near something like alkaline-loving lavender and the soil is likely to canceling each other out, with neither plant ending up happy.
Bad soil companions include:
- Lavender
- Yarrow
- Dianthus
- Most herbs
All of these plants prefer alkaline or neutral soil, while brunia wants that acidity level around 5.5-6.5 pH. You’ll be constantly fighting a losing battle trying to maintain soil conditions if you plant these together.
4. Shade Neighbors
Brunia needs its sunshine! A Japanese maple, for example, would be the worst thing to have near your brunia. By fall, the brunia will be getting maybe 3 hours of direct light, and the results wont be pretty.
Keep these shadow makers away:
- Japanese maples
- Tall ornamental grasses
- Bamboo
- Weeping trees of any kind
While mature brunia can reach 6-7 feet, they develop slowly and don’t compete well when taller plants block their light. The lack of sunlight leads to leggy, weak growth and few of those characteristic silver balls we all love.
5. Allelopathic Plants
Some plants just chemically hate each other. Brunia produces compounds that inhibit certain plants. But it’s also sensitive to others that do the same thing.
Plants that clash:
- Eucalyptus
- Black walnut
- Juniper
- Most pine trees
I once saw a gorgeous brunia installation gradually waste away over six months. The culprit? A mature eucalyptus about 15 feet away. The chemicals released from the eucalyptus roots were slowly poisoning the brunia.
6. Root Competition
Some plants have particularly aggressive root systems that will outcompete brunia every time.
Root system bullies:
- Bamboo (yes, they’re on multiple lists for good reason)
- Mint family plants
- Trumpet vine
- Wisteria
Good Companion Plants for Brunia
Brunia does actually play very nicely with certain plants though. Some of my favorite pairings include:
- Proteas and Leucadendrons – These fellow South Africans have similar growing requirements and look stunning together
- Ornamental grasses (smaller varieties) – The textures contrast beautifully, and they don’t compete much for resources
- Euphorbias – Especially the silver-blue varieties that complement brunia’s coloring
- Certain succulents – Their low water needs match well with brunia’s preferences
Tips for Successful Companion Planting with Brunia
Create Buffer Zones
If you absolutely must plant brunia near some of its “enemies,” create buffer zones with neutral plants. I’ve successfully used low-growing ground covers that don’t compete much for resources as transition areas between conflicting plants.
Adjust Your Soil Strategically
You can actually maintain different soil conditions in close proximity if you’re smart about it. When I plant brunia near plants with different soil preferences, I create individualized planting holes with specific amendments. Then I mulch heavily to help maintain those distinct conditions.
Water Zones
Set up your irrigation to create distinct watering zones. My current garden has the brunia on a separate drip line from most other plants, ensuring they get exactly what they need – no more, no less.
Regular Monitoring
Watch for early signs of trouble. Yellow leaves, stunted growth, or failure to bloom are all indications that your brunia might be fighting with its neighbors. The sooner you catch these issues, the easier they are to fix.
Final Thoughts
Gardening is all about creating harmony. Sometimes that means keeping certain plants separate.
Keep your brunia away from heavy feeders, water-lovers and allelopathic bullies, and you’ll enjoy their beauty for years to come.
And of course every garden is different. Your soil, climate and specific conditions might allow combinations that typically don’t work, or cause problems with usually compatible plants. The art of gardening is in the observation and adjustment.
So take these guidelines as a starting point, watch your plants carefully and be ready to make changes if needed.