10 Best Hosta Companion Plants to Enhance Your Garden

How to Choose the Perfect Companion Plants for Your Hostas?

Are you looking for ways to enhance your garden and create a beautiful landscape? If so, then you might want to consider adding hostas to your garden. Hostas are popular perennials known for their beautiful foliage and ability to thrive in shade. But to make them stand out even more, it's important to choose the right companion plants.

In this blog post, we will take a closer look at some of the best hosta companion plants that can help you create a stunning garden. We'll also provide tips on how to choose the perfect companion plants for your hostas.

1. Bleeding Hearts (Dicentra)

Bleeding hearts are a great companion plant for hostas because they share similar growing conditions. Both plants prefer partial shade and well-drained soil. In addition, bleeding hearts have delicate pink or white flowers that can provide a beautiful contrast to the bold foliage of hostas.

To plant bleeding hearts with hostas, be sure to choose a location with dappled shade. They should be planted in early spring, and they require regular watering throughout the growing season.

How to Plant Bleeding Hearts with Hostas

Here are the steps to follow when planting bleeding hearts with hostas:

1. Prepare the soil by removing any weeds or rocks from the area where you want to plant.
2. Choose a location with dappled shade.
3. Plant the bleeding hearts first, spacing them out around the hostas.
4. Next, plant the hostas, spacing them out evenly around the bleeding hearts.
5. Water both plants thoroughly after planting, and continue to water regularly throughout the growing season.

2. Astilbe

Astilbe is another shade-loving perennial that makes a great companion plant for hostas. It has plume-like flowers in shades of pink, red, and white that can add a pop of color to your garden.

When planting astilbe with hostas, be sure to choose a location with moist, well-drained soil. They should also be planted in early spring, and they require regular watering throughout the growing season.

How to Plant Astilbe with Hostas

Here are the steps to follow when planting astilbe with hostas:

1. Prepare the soil by adding compost or other organic matter to improve drainage.
2. Choose a location with partial shade and moist, well-drained soil.
3. Plant the astilbe first, spacing them out around the hostas.
4. Next, plant the hostas, spacing them out evenly around the astilbe.
5. Water both plants thoroughly after planting, and continue to water regularly throughout the growing season.

3. Ferns

Ferns are another great companion plant for hostas because they thrive in similar growing conditions. Both plants prefer shade and moist, well-drained soil. In addition, ferns have delicate fronds that can provide a beautiful contrast to the bold foliage of hostas.

When planting ferns with hostas, be sure to choose a location with dappled shade. They should also be planted in early spring, and they require regular watering throughout the growing season.

How to Plant Ferns with Hostas

Here are the steps to follow when planting ferns with hostas:

1. Prepare the soil by removing any weeds or rocks from the area where you want to plant.
2. Choose a location with dappled shade and moist, well-drained soil.
3. Plant the ferns first, spacing them out around the hostas.
4. Next, plant the hostas, spacing them out evenly around the ferns.
5. Water both plants thoroughly after planting, and continue to water regularly throughout the growing season.

4. Heuchera

Heuchera, also known as coral bells, is another shade-loving perennial that makes a great companion plant for hostas. It has colorful foliage in shades of green, purple, and silver that can add interest to your garden.

When planting heuchera with hostas, be sure to choose a location with partial shade and moist, well-drained soil. They should also be planted in early spring, and they require regular watering throughout the growing season.

How to Plant Heuchera with Hostas

Here are the steps to follow when planting heuchera with hostas:

1. Prepare the soil by adding compost or other organic matter to improve drainage.
2. Choose a location with partial shade and moist, well-drained soil.
3. Plant the heuchera first, spacing them out around the hostas.
4. Next, plant the hostas, spacing them out evenly around the heuchera.
5. Water both plants thoroughly after planting, and continue to water regularly throughout the growing season.

5. Japanese Forest Grass (Hakonechloa)

Japanese forest grass is a shade-loving ornamental grass that can make a great companion plant for hostas. It has bright green foliage that can add texture and movement to your garden.

When planting Japanese forest grass with hostas, be sure to choose a location with dappled shade and moist, well-drained soil. They should also be planted in early spring, and they require regular watering throughout the growing season.

How to Plant Japanese Forest Grass with Hostas

Here are the steps to follow when planting Japanese forest grass with hostas:

1. Prepare the soil by removing any weeds or rocks from the area where you want to plant.
2. Choose a location with dappled shade and moist, well-drained soil.
3. Plant the Japanese forest grass first, spacing them out around the hostas.
4. Next, plant the hostas, spacing them out evenly around the Japanese forest grass.
5. Water both plants thoroughly after planting, and continue to water regularly throughout the growing season.

6. Lungwort (Pulmonaria)

Lungwort is a shade-loving perennial that makes a great companion plant for hostas. It has spotted leaves and delicate blue or pink flowers that can add interest to your garden.

When planting lungwort with hostas, be sure to choose a location with dappled shade and moist, well-drained soil. They should also be planted in early spring, and they require regular watering throughout the growing season.

How to Plant Lungwort with Hostas

Here are the steps to follow when planting lungwort with hostas:

1. Prepare the soil by adding compost or other organic matter to improve drainage.
2. Choose a location with dappled shade and moist, well-drained soil.
3. Plant the lungwort first, spacing them out around the hostas.
4. Next, plant the hostas, spacing them out evenly around the lungwort.
5. Water both plants thoroughly after planting, and continue to water regularly throughout the growing season.

7. Solomon's Seal (Polygonatum)

Solomon's seal is a shade-loving perennial that can make a great companion plant for hostas. It has arching stems and delicate white or pink flowers that can add interest to your garden.

When planting Solomon's seal with hostas, be sure to choose a location with partial shade and moist, well-drained soil. They should also be planted in early spring, and they require regular watering throughout the growing season.

How to Plant Solomon's Seal with Hostas

Here are the steps to follow when planting Solomon's seal with hostas:

1. Prepare the soil by removing any weeds or rocks from the area where you want to plant.
2. Choose a location with partial shade and moist, well-drained soil.
3. Plant the Solomon's seal first, spacing them out around the hostas.
4. Next, plant the hostas, spacing them out evenly around the Solomon's seal.
5. Water both plants thoroughly after planting, and continue to water regularly throughout the growing season.

8. Sweet Woodruff (Galium odoratum)

Sweet woodruff is a shade-loving groundcover that can make a great companion plant for hostas. It has delicate white flowers and fragrant leaves that can add interest to your garden.

When planting sweet woodruff with hostas, be sure to choose a location with dappled shade and moist, well-drained soil. They should also be planted in early spring, and they require regular watering throughout the growing season.

How to Plant Sweet Woodruff with Hostas

Here are the steps to follow when planting sweet woodruff with hostas:

1. Prepare the soil by adding compost or other organic matter to improve drainage.
2. Choose a location with dappled shade and moist, well-drained soil.
3. Plant the sweet woodruff first, spacing them out around the hostas.
4. Next, plant the hostas, spacing them out evenly around the sweet woodruff.
5. Water both plants thoroughly after planting, and continue to water regularly throughout the growing season.

9. Tiarella (Foamflower)

Tiarella, also known as foamflower, is a shade-loving perennial that can make a great companion plant for hostas. It has delicate pink or white flowers and lobed foliage that can add interest to your garden.

When planting tiarella with hostas, be sure to choose a location with partial shade and moist, well-drained soil. They should also be planted in early spring, and they require regular watering throughout the growing season.

How to Plant Tiarella with Hostas

Here are the steps to follow when planting tiarella with hostas:

1. Prepare the soil by removing any weeds or rocks from the area where you want to plant.
2. Choose a location with partial shade and moist, well-drained soil.
3. Plant the tiarella first, spacing them out around the hostas.
4. Next, plant the hostas, spacing them out evenly around the tiarella.
5. Water both plants thoroughly after planting, and continue to water regularly throughout the growing season.

10. Wild Ginger (Asarum)

Wild ginger is a shade-loving groundcover that can make a great companion plant for hostas. It has heart-shaped leaves and unusual maroon or brown flowers that can add interest to your garden.

When planting wild ginger with hostas, be sure to choose a location with dappled shade and moist, well-drained soil. They should also be planted in early spring, and they require regular watering throughout the growing season.

How to Plant Wild Ginger with Hostas

Here are the steps to follow when planting wild ginger with hostas:

1. Prepare the soil by adding compost or other organic matter to improve drainage.
2. Choose a location with dappled shade and moist, well-drained soil.
3. Plant the wild ginger first, spacing them out around the hostas.
4. Next, plant the hostas, spacing them out evenly around the wild ginger.
5. Water both plants thoroughly after planting, and continue to water regularly throughout the growing season.

Enhance Your Garden with Hosta Companion Plants

Choosing the right companion plants for your hostas can help you create a beautiful garden that is both colorful and interesting. When selecting hosta companion plants, be sure to consider factors such as growing conditions, foliage color, and bloom time.

By following the planting tips outlined in this blog post, you can create a stunning garden that will delight you for years to come.

FAQs

1. Can Hostas and Sun-Loving Plants Be Planted Together?

No, hostas are shade-loving plants and should not be planted with sun-loving plants.

2. Can Hostas Be Planted in Full Shade?

Yes, hostas can be planted in full shade, but they may not grow as well as they would in partial shade.

3. Do Hostas Need to Be Divided?

Yes, hostas should be divided every few years to prevent overcrowding and maintain their health.

4. How Do I Care for My Hosta Companion Plants?

Care for your hosta companion plants by watering them regularly, fertilizing them as needed, and removing any dead or damaged foliage.

5. What Are Some Other Shade-Loving Perennials That Can Be Planted with Hostas?

Some other shade-loving perennials that can be planted with hostas include ferns, astilbe, and heuchera.