Blackberry bushes are a fantastic addition to any garden, offering sweet, juicy berries and a hardy, low-maintenance growth habit. But did you know that the right companion plants can help them thrive even more?
By strategically planting certain flowers, herbs, and vegetables alongside your blackberries, you can improve soil health, deter pests, attract pollinators, and even boost fruit production. Some plants help by fixing nitrogen in the soil, while others repel harmful insects that could damage your crop.
Whether you’re aiming for a healthier harvest, fewer weeds, or a more vibrant garden ecosystem, companion planting is a simple and natural way to enhance your blackberry patch. In this article, we explore 18 plants that grow well alongside blackberry bushes, helping them stay happy, productive, and deliciously fruitful.
Lavender
Lavender offers more than its captivating aroma. Its fragrant flowers deter pests that may otherwise bother your blackberry bushes. This hardy perennial thrives in well-drained soil, making it an ideal neighbor for blackberries. Imagine the sweet scent wafting through the air as you tend to your garden. Besides pest control, lavender attracts pollinators. Bumblebees and butterflies flit from bloom to bloom, ensuring your blackberry flowers receive ample attention. Lavender’s compact growth habit ensures it won’t compete for resources, making it a harmonious companion.
Marigolds
These cheerful flowers are a powerhouse in the garden, known for their ability to repel nematodes and other soil pests. Marigolds release a subtle scent that deters unwanted insects, safeguarding your blackberry harvest. Their sunny disposition brightens the garden, creating a visually appealing landscape. Plant marigolds around the base of your blackberry bushes. This strategic placement maximizes their pest-repelling benefits. As an added bonus, marigolds are easy to grow, requiring minimal care while providing maximum protection to your beloved blackberries.
Comfrey
Comfrey’s deep roots work wonders in enriching the soil, drawing up essential nutrients. This plant acts as a natural fertilizer, nurturing your blackberry bushes from below. Its lush foliage provides shade, helping to retain soil moisture. Comfrey is also known for its medicinal properties. Some gardeners use its leaves to create a nourishing compost tea. This can be applied to blackberry bushes, enhancing their growth. With its myriad of benefits, comfrey is truly an invaluable ally in your garden.
Nasturtiums
Nasturtiums are a colorful addition with a practical purpose. They act as a trap crop, attracting aphids away from your blackberry bushes. This keeps harmful pests occupied and away from your precious berries. Their vibrant blooms add aesthetic appeal to your garden, creating a lively and welcoming atmosphere. Nasturtiums are edible, offering peppery leaves and blossoms that can spice up salads. Their dual purpose of beauty and utility makes them a favorite among gardeners who wish to protect their blackberry bushes naturally.
Borage
Borage boasts beautiful star-shaped flowers that not only attract bees but also improve the flavor of nearby fruits. This herb is known for its ability to enhance the growth of neighboring plants. Its deep roots break up compacted soil, improving aeration and drainage. Borage leaves can be used as mulch, enriching the soil with nutrients. This hardy plant self-seeds, ensuring it returns year after year without effort. It’s an excellent choice for gardeners seeking both visual and functional benefits for their blackberries.
Chives
Chives are a delightful addition to any garden, offering both culinary and protective benefits. Their onion-like aroma deters pests such as aphids and Japanese beetles from feasting on your blackberry bushes. Chives’ purple flowers attract pollinators, enhancing fruit set. These hardy perennials require little maintenance, thriving in various conditions. Snipping fresh chives for the kitchen is an added bonus, combining gardening with gastronomy. Their compact size allows them to fit snugly around blackberry bushes, providing protection without crowding.
Mint
Mint is a vigorous grower, known for its refreshing aroma and pest-repelling characteristics. Plant it near blackberry bushes to deter ants and aphids. However, mint can be invasive. Consider planting it in pots to prevent it from overtaking your garden. Its fragrance is a natural deterrent for unwanted insects, protecting your blackberry harvest. Additionally, the leaves can be harvested for culinary uses, adding a fresh touch to drinks and desserts. Mint’s dual role as a protector and culinary herb makes it a garden favorite.
Yarrow
Yarrow is a potent all-rounder in the garden, known for attracting beneficial insects and improving soil quality. Its clusters of tiny flowers draw predatory insects that feed on pests threatening your blackberries. Yarrow’s roots help to aerate the soil, enhancing its structure and fertility. This hardy plant thrives in various conditions, making it a versatile companion. Besides its protective qualities, yarrow adds charm with its delicate blooms swaying in the breeze. It’s an excellent choice for those looking to bolster their garden’s natural defenses.
Garlic
Though small, garlic packs a punch in pest control. Its strong aroma deters aphids, beetles, and other unwanted insects from your blackberry bushes. This hardy bulb is also known for its antifungal properties, preventing soil-borne diseases. Plant garlic cloves around your blackberries, and watch as they form a natural barrier. In addition to protection, garlic offers culinary rewards. Harvesting fresh garlic bulbs for the kitchen adds a homegrown touch to your meals. Its dual functionality makes garlic an indispensable companion.
Chamomile
Chamomile is often celebrated for its calming properties, but it also serves as a beneficial garden companion. Its flowers attract pollinators, ensuring your blackberry bushes are well-visited. Chamomile improves soil health by accumulating calcium, potassium, and sulfur, all essential for plant growth. This gentle herb also deters fungal infections. Its presence in the garden can enhance the flavor and resilience of neighboring plants. As you harvest chamomile for tea, you’ll appreciate its dual role in promoting both relaxation and robust blackberry growth.
Tansy
Tansy is a resilient ally in the fight against pests. Its strong scent wards off mosquitoes, ants, and beetles, creating a safe haven for your blackberry bushes. Tansy’s bright yellow flowers add a pop of color, brightening your garden. Plant it strategically among your blackberries to maximize its protective benefits. While tansy is easy to grow, it can become invasive if left unchecked. Regular pruning keeps it in balance, allowing you to enjoy its protective qualities without overshadowing other plants.
Sage
Sage brings more than flavor to your kitchen; it’s a guardian in the garden. Its aromatic leaves deter pests, ensuring your blackberry bushes remain unscathed. Sage is drought-tolerant and thrives with minimal care. Its bluish-purple flowers attract pollinators, enhancing fruit production. Plant sage near your blackberries to create a fragrant and protective border. The leaves can be harvested and dried for culinary use, adding a savory touch to dishes. Sage’s dual role makes it a valued companion in any garden.
Clover
Clover is highly regarded for its nitrogen-fixing abilities, enriching the soil naturally. This process boosts the growth of surrounding plants, making it a superb companion for blackberry bushes. Clover’s low-growing habit acts as a living mulch, suppressing weeds and conserving soil moisture. Its flowers attract pollinators, contributing to a healthy fruit set. Moreover, clover is hardy and resilient, thriving in various conditions with minimal care. Its ability to improve soil fertility and stability makes clover a beneficial addition to any garden.
Bee Balm
Bee balm is a magnet for pollinators, drawing bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds to your garden. Its vibrant blooms add a burst of color, creating an inviting space for beneficial insects. This plant thrives in well-drained soil and partial shade, matching well with blackberry bushes. Bee balm’s aromatic leaves are also known for their antifungal properties, helping to ward off diseases. Beyond its beauty and functionality, bee balm can be harvested for tea, offering a refreshing citrusy flavor. Its presence enhances both pollination and garden aesthetics.
Sunflowers
Sunflowers are more than just a striking visual element. Their tall stalks provide windbreaks, offering protection to blackberry bushes from harsh weather. Sunflowers also attract pollinators, ensuring your berry flowers are well attended. As a bonus, their seeds can be harvested and enjoyed as snacks. These giants of the garden add height and structure, complementing the more sprawling blackberries. With their sunny disposition and multifaceted benefits, sunflowers are a valuable addition to any garden landscape.
Fennel
Fennel is a unique companion, known for attracting beneficial insects such as ladybugs and predatory wasps. These allies help control pest populations that might otherwise harm your blackberries. Fennel’s aromatic qualities also deter unwanted insects, adding an extra layer of defense. This perennial herb can grow quite tall, providing a backdrop to your blackberry bushes. Its licorice-flavored leaves and seeds are culinary delights, adding a fresh twist to various dishes. Fennel’s dual purpose of protection and flavor makes it a versatile garden companion.
Lemon Balm
Lemon balm’s uplifting fragrance is a natural deterrent for mosquitoes and gnats, making it an excellent partner for your blackberry bushes. This perennial herb thrives in a variety of conditions, providing a robust defense against pests. Lemon balm’s leaves are perfect for making refreshing teas, offering a citrusy twist to your brews. Plant it near your blackberries to enjoy both its aromatic benefits and culinary uses. Its vibrant green leaves add texture and color, enhancing the overall beauty of your garden.
Thyme
Thyme is a compact herb, perfect for planting around the base of blackberry bushes. Its aromatic oils repel pests such as hornworms and whiteflies, safeguarding your harvest. Thyme’s tiny purple flowers attract beneficial insects, boosting the pollination of your blackberries. This hardy herb is drought-tolerant and easy to maintain, thriving in various conditions. Snip fresh thyme leaves for culinary adventures, adding flavor to your kitchen creations. Its multifunctional qualities make thyme a cherished companion in any garden, offering both protection and taste.