20 What to Plant with Hydrangeas Ideas
20 what to plant with hydrangeas ideas
1. Hostas
Hostas are a great plant to grow with hydrangeas because they both prefer the same conditions.
Hostas are shade-loving plants that look beautiful when planted in front of hydrangeas.
The large leaves of the hostas help to camouflage the less attractive lower half of the hydrangeas.
Try planting a variety of hostas with different leaf colors and textures to create a stunning visual display.
2. Azaleas
Azaleas are another flowering shrub that goes well with hydrangeas. Both plants prefer morning sun and afternoon shade, and they have similar water needs.
Azaleas come in a variety of colors, so you can choose the perfect one to complement your hydrangeas.
These acid-loving shrubs are also evergreen, so they will add year-round interest to your garden.
3. Japanese Maples
Japanese Maples are a great way to add color and texture to your garden.
They come in a variety of colors, including green, red, and purple, and have unique leaf shapes that can add interest to your garden design.
Japanese Maples thrive in the same conditions as hydrangeas, making them a great companion plant.
They prefer partial shade and well-draining soil, just like hydrangeas. Plus, they have a shallow root system that won’t compete with your hydrangeas.
When planting Japanese Maples with hydrangeas, be sure to give them plenty of space to grow.
Japanese Maples can grow up to 25 feet tall and 20 feet wide, so be sure to plant them at least 6-8 feet away from your hydrangeas.
4. Astilbe
Astilbe is a spring-blooming perennial that produces feathery plumes of flowers in a variety of colors.
It is a great companion plant for hydrangeas because it prefers the same growing conditions.
Astilbe thrives in part shade and moist, well-draining soil. It also benefits from the same mulching and watering techniques as hydrangeas.
5. Ferns
Ferns are another great choice for a hydrangea companion plant.
They are easy to grow, come in a variety of colors and textures, and add a lush, tropical look to the garden.
Like hydrangeas, ferns prefer part sun to part shade, so they are well-suited for planting together.
They also like moist, well-draining soil, so be sure to keep the soil around your hydrangeas moist, especially in hot weather.
6. Boxwood
Boxwood is a classic garden plant that pairs well with hydrangeas.
The lush, green foliage of boxwood contrasts beautifully with the large, showy flowers of hydrangeas.
Boxwood is an evergreen shrub that provides year-round interest in the garden, making it the perfect companion plant for hydrangeas.
7. Beautyberry
Beautyberry is a beautiful, low-maintenance shrub that will add color and texture to your landscape.
In the spring, it produces tiny, light pink flowers that give way to bright purple berries in the fall.
The berries are a favorite of birds and will add a pop of color to your garden long after your hydrangeas have stopped blooming.
Beautyberry is a great choice for gardeners who want to attract wildlife to their yard.
Not only do the berries provide food for birds, but the shrub also provides cover and nesting sites.
8. Camellias
Camellias are another evergreen shrub that are perfect for planting with hydrangeas.
They have similar growing conditions and add beautiful color to your garden in the fall and winter.
9. Creeping Jenny
Creeping Jenny is another great option for a ground cover plant to pair with your hydrangeas.
This low-growing plant has vibrant green foliage with a hint of yellow that looks stunning in contrast to the hydrangea’s bold colors.
Creeping Jenny is a great way to fill in empty spaces in your garden and keep weeds at bay.
Plus, it’s a very low-maintenance plant, so you won’t have to worry about spending a lot of time caring for it.
10. Fothergilla
Fothergilla is a deciduous shrub that produces white, bottlebrush-like flowers in the spring.
It has striking fall foliage that ranges from yellow and orange to red and purple, and it’s known for its unique, honey-like fragrance.
Fothergilla grows best in USDA Hardiness Zones 5-8, and it prefers partial sun to partial shade.
Like hydrangeas, it needs well-draining soil that is consistently moist.
11. Hellebores
Hellebores are another perennial that love the shade, and they have the added benefit of being evergreen in many climates.
They grow well in zones 5-9 and produce lovely flowers in the winter.
The flowers come in a variety of colors, and I love the way the subtle colors in this bed complement the hydrangeas.
12. Coral Bells
Coral Bells are perfect for planting with hydrangeas. They are a low-growing perennial that comes in a variety of colors and can be used as a ground cover.
Coral Bells are also low-maintenance and drought-tolerant, so they are a great option for areas with hydrangeas that need a little extra care.
13. Oakleaf Hydrangea
Oakleaf hydrangeas are native to the southeastern United States and are known for their large, oak-shaped leaves.
The leaves turn a deep red in the fall, making them a beautiful addition to your landscape.
As far as size, oakleaf hydrangeas can be quite large, growing up to 8 feet tall and 12 feet wide.
Because of their size, they are best planted in the back of the garden as a backdrop to smaller plants.
14. Spirea
Spirea is another deciduous shrub that has a lot in common with hydrangeas.
They both produce large, showy flower heads, and they both prefer partial shade.
There are many species of spirea, but the most common is bridal wreath spirea (Spirea prunifolia).
This shrub produces arching branches covered in small, white flowers.
It blooms in the spring, so it’s a great option if you want to extend the flowering season in your garden.
Spirea is also easy to care for, and it doesn’t require much maintenance once it’s established.
15. Sweet Woodruff
Sweet woodruff is a low-growing perennial that’s perfect for planting under hydrangeas.
It’s a shade-loving ground cover that produces clusters of tiny white flowers in the spring.
The foliage of sweet woodruff is also quite attractive. It’s bright green and has a star-like shape that adds a unique texture to your garden.
This plant is perfect for creating a lush, green carpet beneath your hydrangeas. It’s quite low-maintenance and will spread to fill in the space over time.
16. Toad Lilies
Toad lilies are the perfect perennial for those who love to add unique and interesting plants to their garden.
Toad lilies are shade-loving plants and grow well under hydrangeas.
They have an exotic look with orchid-like flowers that come in a variety of colors.
These plants are easy to grow and low maintenance, making them a great choice for any garden.
17. Viburnum
Viburnum is another shrub that pairs well with hydrangeas. It comes in many different varieties and can be evergreen or deciduous.
Some types of viburnum are also fragrant, which is a nice touch in the garden.
18. Liriope
Liriope is a low-growing, grass-like perennial that’s perfect for planting underneath hydrangeas.
It’s an excellent choice for gardeners who want to add a bit of color to the base of their shrubs without overwhelming them.
Liriope comes in a variety of colors, including green, blue, and variegated.
This plant is also known for its pretty purple flowers, which bloom in the late summer and early fall.
19. Japanese Forest Grass
Japanese Forest Grass is one of my favorite ornamental grasses, and I think it looks amazing with hydrangeas.
This variety has a weeping habit, so it’s a great option to plant along the front of your hydrangeas.
Japanese Forest Grass is a shade-loving plant that can tolerate some sun, but it will do best in a spot with morning sun and afternoon shade.
This grass can be grown in zones 4 to 9 and requires consistently moist soil.
20. Rhododendron
The rhododendron is a large-leafed, flowering shrub that looks very similar to the hydrangea.
They prefer similar growing conditions and look beautiful when planted together.
Rhododendrons come in a variety of colors, including white, pink, red, and purple.
They are also evergreen, meaning they keep their leaves year-round, which is a nice contrast to the deciduous nature of hydrangeas.
Conclusion
Hydrangeas are a great choice for any garden, regardless of your location, and the other flowers and plants you choose to grow.
These 20 ideas should give you a great starting point to be creative and design a garden that you love.
What do you like to plant with hydrangeas? Let us know in the comments!
If you’re looking for more information on how to grow hydrangeas, check out our article on the 19 types of hydrangeas and how to grow them.
Happy gardening!
