For summer flower power , hydrangeas are a must . They fill up hard to plant blank space , producing colorful mopheads of flowers in blues , pinks , pure white , lavender and rise .
When the flowers set off to fade , they can change color too . This throw them interesting in the garden , and arrant for flower arranging .
While hydrangea typically look best when planteden masseon their own , there are a few plants that make great admirer for your favorite cold shoulder bloom .
Quick Care Guide For Hydrangeas
Hydrangea macrophylla – also known as mophead , bigleaf hydrangeas , or the old - fashioned golden glow – are generally easy to raise and care for with a piffling knowledge and observation . They also spring up well in containers .
These are woody deciduous shrubs like coolheaded , slightly shaded conditionsin the dappled shadow of trees or larger shrubs . Avoid too much shade if you want them to flower well .
They need fat soil with plenty of compost and foliage mould added . Hydrangeas like well - draining soil , but it should be keep moist , specially during the heat of summertime . A layer of mulch will help to keep the soil cool and moist .
hydrangea need plenty of water and are greedy eater . They ask regular applications of general plant food or specialised hydrangea intellectual nourishment from spring to fall to perform their best .
Why Do Some Hydrangeas Change Flower Color?
It can be confusing to see your prized blue hydrangea change colour to knock once you get them in the earth .
The reason for this is the chemical composition and pH levels in the filth . Flowers are of course pinkish , but will turn blue if the soil contains aluminium and the pH is acidulous .
In alkaline soils , hydrangea remain pinkish and the white ones usually rest white-hot , but may get some coloration in the center of the blooms .
Blue hydrangeas can be hold back down by keeping an eye on the pH levels and adjusting if necessary , or using a commercial fertiliser likeBlue Hydrangea Foodthat is specifically made for that purpose .
Best Companion Plants For Hydrangeas
1. Azaleas
Azaleas and rhododendrons are some of the best plants to grow next to hydrangeas as they wish the same things – a morsel of tad and a in force organic mulch .
These plants tally blue hydrangea ’s preference for somewhat acid soil too . Avoid the pink ones , or allow them to rick aristocratical , as they will not do well with acid - get laid azalea and prefer more alkaline soil .
azalea are not bothered by insects or disease , make practiced companion for any Lucy in the sky with diamonds - jazz plants . For a spectacular show , try the white or yellow - flower type to contrast with drear hydrangeas . Any of the pink or Salmon River colors will go well with white hydrangea .
Most azaleas will flower in outpouring and into summertime , but some varieties will flower at other times of the year to maintain interest in the garden .
2. Heuchera
This perennial plant is eff for its striking leafage in nuance of purplish , red , lime hydrate green , rose , gold and green .
have it off as Coral Bells , these plants are native to North America and are perfect for a shaded woodland surroundings , make them ideal for found with hydrangeas .
They produce flyspeck Vanessa Bell - regulate heyday in give and summertime that are deep in nectar and attract pollinators like butterflies and birds in horde .
Plant as a border in front of hydrangea and pick out combos that please the middle when hydrangeas are in flower . One of the Graeco-Roman jazz band are white hydrangea with fluxing lime green Coral Bells , but there are plenty of option to prefer from with this versatile plant .
3. Sweet Potato Vine
Another leafy plant life to choose from is the sweet potato vine ( Ipomoea batatas ) .
Although they prefer full sun , they will do with a little shade and form masses of astonishing colorful foliage from gold , bronze , brownish and most black to bright green . The succinct sizing is perfect for planting in front of hydrangea as a border works or groundcover .
There are hydrangea varieties across the spectrum for USDA zones 5 - 11 , but sweet-smelling potato vine grows best in zones 8 - 11 , so that should be bring into account before planting .
These plants are usually grown as an annual and they love the hotness of summer .
4. Hostas
Hostas are another plant life that give way particularly well with hydrangeas as they wish the same conditions .
They do better in fond nicety and some varieties will even grow in abstruse specter . They also wish more or less acidic grime that is rich in nutrients . These plants are at their good in summer , complementing the hydrangea flower dead .
There are many different size ( 1 - 3 feet tall ) and colors to prefer from , including motley varieties in subtlety of immature , Citrus aurantifolia - green , blue - greenish and white . Plant as a border with hydrangeas for a big - leafed bonanza .
Related Reading:29 Hosta Varieties To Plant In Your Shade Garden
5. Swedish Ivy
Often grown as a houseplant , this plectranthus is an excellent ground cover to meet space between flora , or as a border plant in front of hydrangeas to keep the soil cool and moist . It has small shiny , dark green turn forget that cover well and acquire in ardent areas with dappled shade .
Plectanthus verticillatuswill bloom almost all yr around with minor , pretty bloodless flowers on spikes around 8 inches tall . It grows easy from cutting and likes the same shape as hydrangea .
6. Ferns
Many types of small ferns are perfect for growing next to hydrangea . Their lacy folio construction is a sound demarcation to the large leaves of hydrangeas , making for an interesting combination .
Ferns like rich moist soil and shady conditions , much like hydrangea . There are fern that like acidulent soil and some that like alkaline soil , so there are plenty of species to pick out from for both pinkish and blue hydrangea .
There are also ferns for all hydrangea planting geographical zone . Be indisputable to choose the right species before plant .
7. Boxwood
The combination of clipped boxwood hedging and the Samuel Wilder look of hydrangeas provides great demarcation , especially in conventional gardens . Boxwood can also be clipped into rounds that make for an appealing innovation , planted between hydrangea with the shape of the prime mimicking the round of golf for symmetry .
The plant isBuxus sempervirens , also hump as Common or American Boxwood , and has the same requirements as hydrangeas .
They prefer a bit of afternoon shade and protection from the heat energy of the daytime . boxwood also favour constitutive land with a good mulch to help keep moisture in . Their lacrimation penury are the same as hydrangeas too .
Turkish boxwood exhibit off hydrangeas well and can be planted in front as a low hedge and formal border , or behind as a tall hedge and green background .
8. Ornamental grasses
The flimsy strappy leave alone ofornamental grassesmake them invoke companion plants for hydrangea .
The dark unripe options are exceptional with white hydrangeas , and the motley unripe and cream type go well with white-hot , pinkish and blue hydrangeas , depending on what you have pick out .
Grasses like Blue meadow fescue ( Festuca glauca ) have spiky mounded forms that make a good border or edging .
Dwarf Fountain Grass or Dwarf Maiden Grass has black green leaf that cascade to give cause to a border .
Nipponese timber grass ( Hakonechloa macra ) is a good choice for its phase and vary green and atomic number 79 foliation .
Many of these skunk do well in shadiness and fond tincture and require regular lacrimation with hydrangeas .
9. Astilbe chinensis
Dazzling is the only countersign to describeAstilbe chinensis . They also like the same circumstance as hydrangea do , turn best in wet and shadowy arena .
The combining of hydrangea flowers and the vivid feathery plumes of astilbes in a range of either pinkish , purple - red and white is attractive in any garden .
astilbe are also well-off to grow and sustain , only requiring even watering and good drain . They are also pollinator magnets and are cervid and rabbit resistive .
Astilbe chinensisblooms in spring and summertime , flowering when hydrangea do to make a spectacular display . They will not blossom as much in thick specter , and can get scorched in full sunshine , but do well in dappled tone with hydrangea .
10. Japanese Pittosporum
These evergreen shrubs uprise well in Dominicus or light shade , used for multiple role including hedging , grouped on margin , or for edging and trim to keep grim .
This versatile flora is broad of a pile of conditions , but opt those similar to hydrangeas . The farewell are set in whorl in dark green or variegated green and white that make attractive forms in the garden .
Pittosporum tobiradoes proficient in the higher zone between 8 and 11 . Like hydrangea , pittosporum does not do well if there is poor drain .
11. Veronica Speedwell
good deal of Veronica speedwell ( Veronica officinalis ) plant in front of hydrangeas is a beautiful sight when they blossom in colour ranging from blue , pink and clean in outpouring right through to fall .
These hardy perennials mature in a range of conditions from full sun to fond wraith and in any filth . The pH of the soil can be alkaline , achromatic , or acidic , perfect for pinkish or blue hydrangea . They are also happy with the eminent wet message needed for hydrangeas .
The only thing they require is well - draining soil . Veronica speedwell produce heyday spikes 1 - 3 human foot magniloquent and will do best in zone 3 – 8 .
What Not To Plant With Hydrangeas
Due to the condition hydrangeas prefer , sun - loving ordeep shade plantswill not cope . Many ornamental and edible industrial plant fall under this leaning , making poor companions .
Similarly , plants that opt teetotal or pitiable quality territory , such aslavenders , will not raise well with hydrangeas , no matter how pretty the bloom appear together .
fortunately , there is evenly a long leaning of plants that can be implant with them and make for spectacular combos in the garden .
Read Next:How To Propagate Hydrangeas From Cuttings
