Best Companion Plants for Hydrangeas

Hydrangeas are beautiful and popular garden plants that many people love to grow in their yards. They come in a variety of colors and can add a lot of color and texture to any garden. However, if you really want your hydrangeas to thrive, it's important to plant them alongside other plants that will complement their needs. In this post, we'll explore some of the best companion plants for hydrangeas.

The Benefits of Companion Planting

Companion planting involves growing different plant species together that have beneficial effects on each other. For hydrangeas, companion plants can help to enhance their growth, improve their soil quality, and even protect them from pests and diseases. By choosing the right companion plants, you can create a beautiful and healthy garden that your hydrangeas will love.

Choosing the Right Companion Plants

When selecting companion plants for hydrangeas, it's important to consider their individual needs. Hydrangeas prefer moist, well-drained soil with plenty of organic matter, and they thrive in partial shade. You'll want to select companion plants that share these same preferences so that they can co-exist harmoniously. Here are some of the best companion plants for hydrangeas:

Hostas

Hostas are shade-loving perennials that make an excellent companion plant for hydrangeas. They have similar soil requirements and can help to keep the soil around your hydrangeas cool and moist. Hostas also provide a nice contrast in texture and color, which can help to make your garden more visually appealing. They come in a variety of sizes, so you can choose the right one for your garden.

How to Plant Hostas with Hydrangeas

To plant hostas with hydrangeas, select a spot in partial shade where both plants will receive enough sunlight. Dig a hole for each plant and add plenty of organic matter to the soil. Place the hosta in the hole first, and then plant the hydrangea next to it. Water both plants thoroughly and continue to water regularly to keep the soil moist.

Astilbes

Astilbes are another great companion plant for hydrangeas. They are also shade-loving perennials and have similar soil requirements to hydrangeas. Astilbes produce beautiful plumes of flowers that come in a variety of colors, which can help to add interest and depth to your garden.

How to Plant Astilbes with Hydrangeas

To plant astilbes with hydrangeas, choose a location in partial shade that gets enough sunlight for both plants. Dig a hole for each plant and add plenty of organic matter to the soil. Plant the astilbe first and then the hydrangea next to it. Water both plants thoroughly and continue to water regularly to keep the soil moist.

Ferns

Ferns are shade-loving perennials that make an excellent companion plant for hydrangeas. They have similar soil requirements and can help to keep the soil around your hydrangeas cool and moist. Ferns also provide a nice contrast in texture and color, which can help to make your garden more visually appealing. They come in a variety of sizes, so you can choose the right one for your garden.

How to Plant Ferns with Hydrangeas

To plant ferns with hydrangeas, select a spot in partial shade where both plants will receive enough sunlight. Dig a hole for each plant and add plenty of organic matter to the soil. Place the fern in the hole first and then plant the hydrangea next to it. Water both plants thoroughly and continue to water regularly to keep the soil moist.

Lamb's Ear

Lamb's ear is a low-growing perennial that makes an excellent companion plant for hydrangeas. It has similar soil requirements and can help to keep the soil around your hydrangeas cool and moist. Lamb's ear also produces beautiful, soft, silvery-green leaves that provide a nice contrast in texture and color.

How to Plant Lamb's Ear with Hydrangeas

To plant lamb's ear with hydrangeas, choose a location in partial shade that gets enough sunlight for both plants. Dig a hole for each plant and add plenty of organic matter to the soil. Place the lamb's ear in the hole first and then plant the hydrangea next to it. Water both plants thoroughly and continue to water regularly to keep the soil moist.

Siberian Iris

Siberian iris is a hardy perennial that makes an excellent companion plant for hydrangeas. It has similar soil requirements and can help to keep the soil around your hydrangeas cool and moist. Siberian iris produces beautiful blue or purple flowers that can help to add interest and depth to your garden.

How to Plant Siberian Iris with Hydrangeas

To plant Siberian iris with hydrangeas, select a spot in partial shade where both plants will receive enough sunlight. Dig a hole for each plant and add plenty of organic matter to the soil. Place the iris in the hole first and then plant the hydrangea next to it. Water both plants thoroughly and continue to water regularly to keep the soil moist.

Heucheras

Heucheras, also known as coral bells, are shade-loving perennials that make an excellent companion plant for hydrangeas. They have similar soil requirements and can help to keep the soil around your hydrangeas cool and moist. Heucheras produce beautiful, colorful foliage that provides a nice contrast in texture and color.

How to Plant Heucheras with Hydrangeas

To plant heucheras with hydrangeas, choose a location in partial shade that gets enough sunlight for both plants. Dig a hole for each plant and add plenty of organic matter to the soil. Place the heuchera in the hole first and then plant the hydrangea next to it. Water both plants thoroughly and continue to water regularly to keep the soil moist.

Azure Monkshood

Azure monkshood is a shade-loving perennial that makes an excellent companion plant for hydrangeas. It has similar soil requirements and can help to keep the soil around your hydrangeas cool and moist. Azure monkshood produces beautiful blue flowers that can help to add interest and depth to your garden.

How to Plant Azure Monkshood with Hydrangeas

To plant azure monkshood with hydrangeas, select a spot in partial shade where both plants will receive enough sunlight. Dig a hole for each plant and add plenty of organic matter to the soil. Place the monkshood in the hole first and then plant the hydrangea next to it. Water both plants thoroughly and continue to water regularly to keep the soil moist.

Japanese Forest Grass

Japanese forest grass is a shade-loving perennial that makes an excellent companion plant for hydrangeas. It has similar soil requirements and can help to keep the soil around your hydrangeas cool and moist. Japanese forest grass produces beautiful, arching foliage that provides a nice contrast in texture and color.

How to Plant Japanese Forest Grass with Hydrangeas

To plant Japanese forest grass with hydrangeas, choose a location in partial shade that gets enough sunlight for both plants. Dig a hole for each plant and add plenty of organic matter to the soil. Place the grass in the hole first and then plant the hydrangea next to it. Water both plants thoroughly and continue to water regularly to keep the soil moist.

Other Companion Plants for Hydrangeas

There are many other plants that can make great companion plants for hydrangeas. Here are a few more options to consider:

• Bleeding hearts

• Columbines

• Jack-in-the-pulpits

• Trilliums

• Violets

If you want your hydrangeas to thrive, planting them alongside the right companion plants is essential. Hostas, astilbes, ferns, lamb's ear, Siberian iris, heucheras, azure monkshood, and Japanese forest grass are all excellent options to consider. By selecting the right companion plants, you can create a beautiful and healthy garden that your hydrangeas will love.

FAQs

1. What is companion planting?

Companion planting involves growing different plant species together that have beneficial effects on each other. For hydrangeas, companion plants can help to enhance their growth, improve their soil quality, and even protect them from pests and diseases.

2. What are some benefits of companion planting for hydrangeas?

Companion planting can help to enhance the growth of your hydrangeas, improve soil quality, and protect them from pests and diseases. Additionally, companion plants can help to create a more visually appealing garden.

3. What are some good companion plants for hydrangeas?

Some good companion plants for hydrangeas include hostas, astilbes, ferns, lamb's ear, Siberian iris, heucheras, azure monkshood, and Japanese forest grass.

4. How do you plant companion plants with hydrangeas?

To plant companion plants with hydrangeas, select a spot in partial shade where both plants will receive enough sunlight. Dig a hole for each plant and add plenty of organic matter to the soil. Plant the companion plant first and then the hydrangea next to it. Water both plants thoroughly and continue to water regularly to keep the soil moist.

5. What are some other companion plants to consider for hydrangeas?

Other companion plants to consider for hydrangeas include bleeding hearts, columbines, jack-in-the-pulpits, trilliums, and violets.