Companion Plants for Hydrangeas

Hydrangeas are a popular and beautiful addition to any garden, with their large, showy blooms and elegant foliage. However, they can be even more striking when planted alongside complementary companion plants. Here are some ideas for what to plant with hydrangeas to create a stunning and cohesive garden design.

1. Ferns

Ferns are an excellent choice to plant alongside your hydrangeas, as they provide a lush, green backdrop that complements the hydrangeas' spectacular blooms. Their delicate leaves and airy texture can add a sense of whimsy and lightness to your garden, making it feel like a fairy tale forest. Consider planting shade-loving ferns like Japanese painted ferns or lady ferns beneath your hydrangeas to create a captivating woodland scene.

2. Hostas

Hostas are another tried-and-true companion plant for hydrangeas, as they both thrive in shaded, moist environments. Hostas offer a wide range of foliage colors and textures, from cool blues and greens to warm yellows and golds. They can provide a striking contrast to the bold, bright blooms of your hydrangeas, as well as a sense of balance and harmony to your garden design.

3. Heuchera

Heuchera, also known as coral bells, is a versatile and hardy companion plant that can add a pop of color and texture to your hydrangea garden. Their low-growing, spreading foliage can help fill in spaces between hydrangea bushes, while their tall, slender stems can provide a vertical element to your design. Heuchera comes in a wide range of hues, from deep burgundy to bright lime green, so you can choose the perfect color to complement your hydrangeas.

4. Astilbe

Astilbe is another shade-loving plant that pairs beautifully with hydrangeas. Its feathery, fern-like foliage provides a lush, green base for the delicate, fluffy flowers that bloom in shades of pink, red, and white. Astilbe can add a sense of romance and old-fashioned charm to your garden design, and its long bloom time ensures that you'll have plenty of color throughout the summer.

5. Bleeding Hearts

Bleeding hearts are a delicate and elegant plant that can add a touch of whimsy to your hydrangea garden. Their distinctive heart-shaped flowers dangle from tall, slender stems, creating a striking visual effect when paired with hydrangeas' large, rounded blooms. Bleeding hearts are a shade-loving plant that prefers cool, moist environments, making them an ideal companion for hydrangeas in a woodland-style garden.

These are just a few ideas for what to plant with hydrangeas to create a beautiful and cohesive garden design. By pairing your hydrangeas with complementary companion plants, you can create a visually stunning and harmonious garden that will be the envy of all your neighbors.