If you’ve ever fallen in love with the electric blue blooms of Lithodora diffusa, especially standout varieties like Lithodora Grace Ward and Lithodora Heavenly Blue, you’re not alone.
As a longtime gardener in the Pacific Northwest, I’ve found this low-growing ground cover to be a stunning staple in both my perennial garden and rock garden beds. But what really brings out the brilliance of lithodora is choosing the right companion plants. In this post, I’ll share my favorite perennial shrubs and other perennial plants that pair beautifully with lithodora, enhancing both color and texture while supporting ideal lithodora care. Whether you’re expanding your garden with blue flowers or creating a tapestry of hardy ground cover, these lithodora companion plants will help your landscape thrive year after year.
Why I Love Growing Lithodora
Lithodora is easy to love. Those bright blue flowers are stunning! It’s a tough little ground cover, thrives in rock gardens, needs low maintenance, and stays evergreen. Plus, it spreads nicely without taking over. I appreciate knowing that there are spots in my yard I don’t have to worry about weeding, and that’s wherever lithodora is covering the ground. Yes!
Lithodora Companion Plants: Flowers
Here are some of the best flowering companion plants for lithodora:
Camellias
Beautiful blooms in late winter or early spring. Also acid-lovers and work well in partly shaded areas.
Hydrangeas (especially Hydrangea macrophylla)
Color is influenced by soil acidity, making them complementary both visually and culturally. Choose blue-blooming varieties for harmony.
Bleeding Heart (Dicentra)
Does well in partially shaded acidic soil. Spring bloomers that mix well with lithodora in woodland gardens.
Trilliums
Native wildflowers for acid soil, shade-tolerant and great with lithodora in naturalistic plantings.
Offers spring blooms and speckled foliage. Grows well in partially shaded, acidic areas.
Coral Bells (Heuchera)
Colorful foliage adds contrast to lithodora’s deep green and blue tones. Tolerant of acidic conditions.
Lithodora Companion Plants: Herbs
Lithodora thrives in well-drained, acidic soil with full sun to part shade, so finding compatible herbs requires selecting ones that can either tolerate slightly acidic soil or have similar moisture/light needs. While many common culinary herbs prefer neutral to slightly alkaline soil, there are a few that can pair well with lithodora. These herbs can be attractive, functional, and compatible companions for lithodora in rock gardens, herb spirals, or perennial borders:
Oregano
Tolerates slightly acidic soil and thrives in full sun. Works well in rock gardens or borders with lithodora.
Chives
Adaptable to a range of soil types, including slightly acidic. Their upright growth adds height contrast.
Rosemary (especially in warmer zones)
Prefers well-drained soil and full sun. Tolerates slightly acidic to neutral soil. Great structural and aromatic companion.
Sorrel
A culinary herb that thrives in acidic soil. Prefers part shade to sun, making it a good match in mixed beds.
Lithodora Companion Plants: Shrubs
When choosing companion shrubs, aim for those that prefer acidic to neutral soils, thrive in full sun to partial shade, have non-invasive root systems (so they don’t outcompete lithodora), and enjoy similar moisture requirements (moist but well-drained).
Rhododendrons and Azaleas
Thrive in acidic soil like lithodora. Provide height and seasonal blooms. Shade the base and help retain soil moisture
Pieris japonica (Japanese Andromeda)
Evergreen shrub with white or pink flowers in spring. Acid-loving and shade-tolerant. Adds year-round interest
Blueberries and Huckleberries
Love acidic soils. Provide edible fruit and fall color. Pair well aesthetically with lithodora’s flowers
Kalmia latifolia (Mountain Laurel)
Acid-loving, evergreen with intricate flowers. Prefers partial shade and well-drained soil
Dwarf Conifers (e.g., Dwarf Alberta Spruce, Hinoki Cypress)
Provide structure without overwhelming lithodora. Many tolerate acidic soils and well-drained conditions
Heathers (Calluna vulgaris, Erica spp.)
Great in acidic, sandy soil. Low-growing like lithodora, making a colorful, layered look
What Should You Not Plant with Lithodora?
Avoid planting lithodora with plants that prefer alkaline soil. Lithodora needs acidic soil. So that rules out lavender, thyme, and boxwood. Lithodora hates soggy roots, so avoid hostas, ferns, and astilbe. Watch out for plants that grow aggressively. These can crowd out or overshadow lithodora, so keep lithodora away from mint, bamboo, and spreading groundcovers like vinca. Stick with acid-loving, low-growing, well-behaved companions!
Quick Reference Lithodora Companion Planting Chart
| Lithodora Companion Plants | |
| Lithodora Companion Plants: Flowers | Lithodora Companion Plants: Herbs |
| Bleeding Heart (Dicentra) | Chives |
| Camellias | Oregano |
| Coral Bells (Heuchera) | Rosemary |
| Hydrangeas | Sorrel |
| Lungwort (Pulmonaria) | |
| Trilliums | |
| Worst Lithodora Companion Plants | |
| Lithodora Companion Plants: Shrubs | Astilbe |
| Azaleas | Bamboo |
| Blueberries | Boxwood |
| Dwaf Alberta Spruce | Ferns |
| Heathers (Calluna vulgaris) | Hostas |
| Hinoki Cypress | Lavender |
| Huckleberries | Mint |
| Kalmia latifolia (Mountain Laurel) | Thyme |
| Pieris japonica (Japanese Andromeda) | Vinca |
| Rhododendrons | |
Lithodora Planting and Growing Tips
When is the Best Time to Plant Lithodora?
The best time to plant lithodora is in spring or early fall. That gives it time to establish roots in mild weather before extreme heat or cold hits. Just make sure the soil is well-drained!
Where is the Best Place to Plant Lithodora?
Plant lithodora in a sunny spot with well-drained, acidic soil. It’s perfect for rock gardens, slopes, borders, or as ground cover around shrubs. Avoid soggy or shady areas. With the right spot, lithodora will reward you with vivid blue flowers and dense green groundcover from spring through summer.
Common Lithodora Questions
Why Does Lithodora Turn Black?
Lithodora turns black mostly due to poor drainage or overwatering, which leads to root rot. It hates “wet feet” and needs well-drained, acidic soil. Cold damage or fungal issues can also cause blackening, especially in winter. Make sure the soil drains well and avoid watering too much!
How Do You Keep Lithodora Blooming?
How to Propagate Lithodora
You can propagate lithodora by taking softwood cuttings in late spring or early summer. Snip a 3–4 inch healthy stem, remove the lower leaves, dip it in rooting hormone, and plant it in moist, well-draining soil. Keep it humid and out of direct sun until roots form.
Varieties of Lithodora
Some popular lithodora varieties include ‘Grace Ward’, known for its deep blue flowers and dense growth, and ‘Heavenly Blue’, which has slightly lighter, vivid sky-blue blooms. Both are great choices for ground cover or rock gardens.
Need More Planting Ideas?
Check out the tips for the best companion plants for eggplant to learn what to grow with those beauties. If you like the idea of companion planting, you might be interested in reading about the best companion plants for pumpkins, irises, cosmos, sunflowers, spirea, garlic, asparagus, rosemary, radishes, beetroot (beets), thyme, parsley, lupine, borage, stevia, hollyhocks, kale, dahlias, arugula, or the best companion plants for lavender. Get tips for growing stunning dahlias or vintage roses. Are you a beginning gardener? Try planting some foolproof, easy-care perennials, or learning about the best companion plants for columbine. There are so many exciting plants to grow!
Keep Track of Your Garden with a Journal Logbook
Now that you have learned about some compatible companion plants, keep track of your planting ideas, goals, and plans with a printable, editable free garden journal logbook. Choose the pages you want to use and customize them as you wish to record monthly, weekly, and daily garden tasks, lists, weather, and planting arrangements. There are also grid pages for easily designing the layout of your vegetable garden, flower garden, or landscape. Print it out and put it into a notebook you can take with you to the garden (that’s what I do). It’s nice to have all of your garden information in one place.
Free Online Garden Planner Layout Template
Now that you know which are the best companion plants for lithodora, you might need a way to plan your garden layout. Whether you are planting vegetables, flowers, or herbs near your lupine plants, this online garden planner can help you visualize your design and bring it to life. Arrange and rearrange the plants over and over, then print the layout when you are satisfied. With garden tasks that need your attention, this is one way to save time.
It’s fully customizable when you make your own copy and includes two editable chart pages for noting planting specifications.
Get my free online garden layout planner template!
Have a wonderful day, and may all of your lithodora endeavors meet with success!
Lisa Mitchell is a wife, mom, and school librarian who likes to grow fruit, herbs, vegetables, and flowers on her family’s small Pacific Northwest farm. To learn more about what this website has to offer gardeners, click on over to the Garden page.
Thank you for this helpful list of 19 lithodora companion plants – plus some to avoid! Lithodora are so beautiful! I love the brilliant blue colors – stunning!
Thank you for your kind words. Yes, the electric blue color of lithodora fits in well with my favorite blue, pink, and purple color palette.
I love this information about lithodora companion plants! I have never heard of lithodora, and it looks like I’ve been missing out. You always have such wonderful gardening resources for us–thank you!
Oh, you made my day! I love to help match people with new plants, and lithodora is one of my favorites.
Thank you for listing great lithodora companion plants. The blue, pink, purple color palette is my favorite. Lithodora fits in so well!
Yes, and that is why I love to plant it. I’m so glad you like easy-care lithodora. Happy gardening!