Hydrangeas bring a touch of romance to the garden and make the hearts of hobby gardeners beat faster with their large flower balls in different colors. But with what can you combine hydrangeas in the bed? We list the most beautiful grasses, ground covers and flowers that are ideal as planting partners.
Combining hydrangeas in the bed: the principles
Hydrangeas are beautiful flowering shrubs that form numerous flower balls in summer. They thrive best in sunny to partially shaded locations and like slightly acidic, humus-rich and lime-poor soils. The water requirement is great, the hydrangeas need extensive and regular watering. The perfect companion plants should have similar requirements. When it comes to direct sunlight, the following planting combinations are possible:
- Tall flowering bushes that thrive in full sun.
- Flowers and perennialsfor semi-shaded areas
- Ornamental grasses and foliage plants for shady to sunny locations
- Ground cover for shade
Below we list various plant combinations and start with the most popular companion plants. Surprisingly, some of them don't go well with hydrangeas at all, although you can always plant them next to each other in the bed.
3 popular planting partners that actually shouldn't be combined with hydrangeas
There are some plants that look good with hydrangeas. But they actually have completely different requirements when it comes to soil and location, which makes them poor planting partners.
Combining hydrangeas with lavender – is that possible?
Hydrangeas feel most comfortable in moist, humus-rich soil. Lavender, on the other hand, prefers poor, permeable and sandy soil. If you plant them together, either the hydrangeas will yellow or the lavender will rot, depending on whether you keep the soil dry or moist.
Do lilacs and hydrangeas go together?
The different types of lilacs naturally have different requirements for soil and location. However, the plants have one thing in common: they can tolerate practically any soil as long as it is permeable. Whether lilacs and hydrangeas can be combined depends primarily on the respective species. Buddleia and farmer's hydrangea “Annabelle” usually get along well. The panicle hydrangea “Limelight” is also a good planting partner for many types of lilac.
Can you combine hydrangeas and rhododendrons?
Azaleas and hydrangeas are the perfect planting partners. They have similar requirements for soil and location. However, the flowering period of the two flowering shrubs is different: most azaleas bloom in spring and most hydrangeas - in summer. A bed full of flowers would therefore be a rare sight and, if at all, only for a short time.
are ornamental grassesthe perfect companion plants for hydrangeas. The delicate blades of grass emphasize the beautiful flower balls. The following grasses form a harmonious ensemble with the following types of hydrangeas:
- Feather grass can be easily combined with viburnum hydrangeas
- Japanese dwarf reeds go well with panicle hydrangeas
- Sedges go well with all types of hydrangeas
- Pampas grass looks particularly beautiful with climbing hydrangeas, shrub hydrangeas and oak leaf hydrangeas.
- Miscanthus is a popular companion plant for all types of hydrangeas.
- Australian Pennisetum is a lovely sight when paired with panicle hydrangeas.
Combine hydrangeas with other flowers and flowering shrubs
Hydrangeas can also be easily combined with other flowers, flowering perennials and flowering shrubs. For example:
- Peonies
- Anemones
- Daylilies
- Gardenias
- Coneflower
- Of camels
- tall flame flower
- Purple bells
- Iris
- Rittersporn
Hydrangeas and roses: the perfect planting partners in the bed
Hydrangeas and roses are a real eye-catcher in every flower bed. In order for the two plants to really thrive, the flower bed should be in partial shade. The hydrangeas are traditionally placed behind the roses (it's best to use a small variety). If you want to be on the safe side, plant panicle hydrangeas (they tolerate direct sunlight without any problems) together with compact bed roses such as the “Kosmos” variety, for example.
Which ground cover can you plant under hydrangeas?
There are several ground covers you can use to underplant hydrangeas. These include:
- Bergenia
- rote Renewal
- Lady's mantle
- Memorial
- Dwarf strap flower
- Purple bells
- Polsterphlox
- Certain varieties of ground cover roses
Which ground cover plants are best depends primarily on the location. If the hydrangea grows under a tree, then bergenia, red barberry and commemorative mine are ideal. If the hydrangea stands as a soloist in the sun or in a semi-shady place, then dwarf strap flowers, purple bells and cushion phlox come into consideration.
Bed with hydrangeas and hostas
The beautiful hydrangeas look particularly attractive when planted with hostas. The two form an attractive ensemble.
Hydrangeas are among the most beautiful and popular flowering shrubs in the home garden. Display them effectively together with flowers, grasses and ground cover and transform the flower bed into a blooming oasis in the garden. Of course, there are a few things to consider when planting. For example, plants with similardemands on soilto choose. As for the location – tall grasses. Shrubs and perennials should prefer a partially shaded to sunny location. The ground cover plants, on the other hand, should be able to thrive in shaded areas.
