Are you looking for the perfect companions to plant alongside your beautiful hydrangeas? Look no further! In this article, we have curated a list of 10 stunning plants that pair harmoniously with hydrangeas, creating a picturesque and cohesive garden. From vibrant astilbes to delicate ferns, these choices will enhance the beauty of your hydrangea bushes and transform your outdoor space into a magical oasis. So, grab your gardening gloves and get ready to create a captivating garden that will leave everyone in awe!
Shrubs
Fatsia Japonica
If you’re looking to complement your hydrangeas with a shrub that offers both beauty and versatility, look no further than Fatsia Japonica. This evergreen shrub, also known as Japanese Aralia, features large, glossy leaves that add a touch of elegance to any garden. Its unique foliage pairs perfectly with the soft, mound-shaped blooms of hydrangeas. Fatsia Japonica thrives in partial shade and moist soil, making it an ideal companion for hydrangeas that prefer similar growing conditions. With its spectacular presence and ability to provide year-round interest, this shrub is a perfect choice to enhance the beauty of your hydrangea garden.
Pieris Japonica
With its vibrant red and pink new growth, Pieris Japonica, also known as Japanese Andromeda, creates a stunning contrast against the cool blue, purple, or pink hues of hydrangeas. This evergreen shrub features bell-shaped flowers that hang in clusters, adding a touch of elegance to your garden. Pieris Japonica thrives in acidic soil and performs best in partial shade. By planting this shrub alongside your hydrangeas, you’ll create a visually appealing composition that will be the envy of every garden enthusiast.
Rhododendron
When it comes to pairing shrubs with hydrangeas, Rhododendron is an excellent choice. With its large, showy flowers in a variety of hues, including shades of pink, purple, and white, Rhododendron adds a burst of color to your garden when hydrangeas are not in bloom. This evergreen shrub also provides a dense backdrop for your hydrangeas, enhancing their beauty and creating a lush, vibrant garden. Rhododendrons prefer slightly acidic soil and thrive in partial shade, making them a perfect companion for your hydrangeas.
Perennials
Hosta
For a touch of texture and foliage diversity, consider planting Hostas alongside your hydrangeas. With their broad, variegated leaves in shades of green, blue, and gold, Hostas provide a pleasing contrast to the delicate blooms of hydrangeas. These perennial plants thrive in partial shade and moist, well-drained soil, making them compatible with the growing conditions preferred by hydrangeas. From miniature varieties to larger cultivars, Hostas come in a wide range of sizes, allowing you to choose the perfect companion for your hydrangeas.
Astilbe
With their feathery plumes in shades of pink, red, and white, Astilbes bring a touch of elegance and grace to any garden. These perennial flowers bloom in the summer, making them an excellent choice for adding color to your hydrangea garden during the warmest months. Astilbes thrive in partial shade and moist soil, making them a natural pairing with hydrangeas. By planting these flowering perennials alongside your hydrangeas, you’ll create a charming, eye-catching display that will elevate the beauty of your garden.
Phlox
Looking to add a burst of color and fragrance to your hydrangea garden? Look no further than Phlox. With their vibrant clusters of flowers in shades of pink, purple, and white, Phlox creates a stunning backdrop for hydrangeas. These perennial plants prefer full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil, making them a compatible companion for your hydrangeas. Not only will Phlox add visual interest to your garden, but their sweet fragrance will also create a captivating sensory experience for you and your guests.
Grasses
Maiden Grass
For a touch of elegance and movement in your garden, consider pairing hydrangeas with Maiden Grass. With their tall, graceful plumes and slender foliage, Maiden Grass adds a sense of drama and sophistication to any landscape. These ornamental grasses thrive in full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil, making them compatible companions for a wide range of hydrangea varieties. By combining the bold blooms of hydrangeas with the delicate sway of Maiden Grass, you’ll create a dynamic and visually appealing garden that will captivate onlookers.
Switchgrass
If you’re looking for a low-maintenance grass that pairs well with hydrangeas, Switchgrass is an excellent choice. With its upright habit and sturdy foliage, Switchgrass provides a structured backdrop for the beautiful, billowy blooms of hydrangeas. These drought-tolerant grasses thrive in full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil, making them a reliable companion for your hydrangeas. From its subtle colors to its ability to withstand harsh weather conditions, Switchgrass adds a layer of resilience and beauty to your garden.
Japanese Forest Grass
For a touch of elegance and grace, consider planting Japanese Forest Grass alongside your hydrangeas. With its cascading habit and vivid golden or variegated foliage, this ornamental grass creates a stunning contrast to the soft, rounded blooms of hydrangeas. Japanese Forest Grass thrives in partial shade and moist, well-drained soil, making it a natural companion for hydrangeas that prefer similar growing conditions. By incorporating this grass into your garden, you’ll add visual interest and texture, elevating the overall aesthetic appeal of your hydrangea display.
Vines
Clematis
To add vertical interest and a splash of color to your hydrangea garden, look no further than Clematis. With its dazzling array of flowers in a variety of shapes and hues, Clematis creates a stunning visual display alongside hydrangeas. These climbing vines prefer full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil, making them compatible with the growing conditions favored by hydrangeas. By training Clematis to climb trellises or pergolas near your hydrangeas, you’ll create an enchanting garden scene that will leave a lasting impression on all who visit.
Honeysuckle
For a heavenly fragrance and delicate beauty, Honeysuckle is an excellent choice to pair with hydrangeas. With their clusters of tubular flowers in shades of pink, coral, and white, Honeysuckles attract pollinators and add a delightful aroma to your garden. These climbing vines prefer full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil, making them a suitable companion for hydrangeas. By intertwining Honeysuckle with your hydrangea bushes or training it to climb nearby fences or walls, you’ll create a whimsical and fragrant oasis that will enchant both you and your garden visitors.
Virginia Creeper
If you’re seeking a vine that provides both beauty and versatility, Virginia Creeper is an excellent choice to complement your hydrangeas. With its vibrant red foliage in the fall, Virginia Creeper adds a burst of color to your garden landscape when your hydrangeas are no longer in bloom. This fast-growing vine thrives in full sun to partial shade and tolerate a wide range of soil conditions, making it a resilient companion for your hydrangeas. By training Virginia Creeper to climb nearby structures or allowing it to create a ground cover, you’ll add visual interest and diversity to your hydrangea garden all year round.
Annuals
Marigold
For an instant burst of color and a touch of whimsy in your hydrangea garden, consider planting Marigolds. With their vibrant shades of yellow, orange, and red, Marigolds create a bold contrast against the soft, pastel hues of hydrangeas. These annual flowers thrive in full sun and well-drained soil, making them a compatible companion for hydrangeas. By interplanting Marigolds among your hydrangea bushes or creating a border around your hydrangea beds, you’ll create a visually captivating and vibrant display that will brighten up your garden.
Nasturtium
To add a pop of color and a delicate trailing effect to your hydrangea garden, Nasturtiums are an excellent choice. With their bright, trumpet-shaped flowers in shades of red, orange, and yellow, Nasturtiums create a vibrant and eye-catching display. These annual flowers prefer full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil, making them a suitable companion for hydrangeas with similar growing requirements. By allowing Nasturtiums to spill over the edge of your hydrangea containers or planting them in between your hydrangea bushes, you’ll create a charming and whimsical scene that will bring joy to your garden.
Dahlia
For a burst of color and a touch of drama, complement your hydrangeas with Dahlias. With their large, vibrant flowers in a wide range of colors, including shades of red, pink, yellow, and purple, Dahlias create a stunning visual display alongside hydrangeas. These annual flowers thrive in full sun and well-drained soil, making them a compatible companion for your hydrangeas. By intermixing Dahlias with your hydrangea plantings or creating separate clusters of these show-stopping blooms, you’ll elevate the beauty of your garden and create a captivating focal point that won’t go unnoticed.