Hydrangeas MenuTypes, color, pruning and more
allow ’s Dance Lovable ™ hydrangea . photograph by : Proven Winners
Hydrangea ( Hydrangeaspp . ) is one of the most pop decorative landscape industrial plant for its big showy blossom heads that leave late - season pastime to the landscape . This hardy deciduous shrub has an elegant maturation habit , attractive serrated foliage , and long - lasting blooms that add structure and semblance to mixed border , woodland landscape , understructure plantings , and shrub borders .
This versatile landscape painting plant geminate well with many other shrubs , trees , and perennials . When choose what to implant with hydrangeas , select companions that thrive in similar mature precondition . hydrangea grow best in fond shade with rich , well - draining soil and even water . Here are some of the best companions to plant with hydrangeas , along with ideas on how to use them in your yard .
HYDRANGEA COMPANION PLANTS
' Dark Side of the Moon ' astilbe . Photo by : Proven Winners
ASTILBE (Astilbespp.)
Zones:3 - 9Exposure : Full sun to shade ; flowers best in fond sunHabit : Upright spread habitHeight / Spread:1 to 4 base tall and wideBloom time : summertime
Astilbe is a pop garden plant with dissected fern - like foliage and showy bloom plume in colors of white , pinkish or carmine . This hardy herbaceous repeated prefers like growing condition to hydrangea of dappled tad and rich , dampish territory . Plant in a mixed moulding alongside a pink or white flowered panicle hydrangea or mass in the landscape . Learn astilbe .
Pictured:‘Dark Side of the Moon ' astilbefrom Proven Winners .
Perfecto Mundo ® Double Pink azalea . photograph by : Proven Winners
AZALEA (Rhododendronspp.)
Zones:3 - 9Exposure : Full sun to partial nicety , with protection from hot afternoon sunHabit : Upright bushy , open , spreading or reason cover habitHeight / Spread:1 to 20 foot tall , 2 to 10 metrical unit wide ; average sizing of 4 to 6 feet marvellous and wideBloom time : former bound to summer ; some variety show rebloom from summer to fall
This popular spring - blooming shrub has evergreen or deciduous foliage , with campana - shaped heyday in a range of colour . azalea enjoy the same grow conditions as hydrangeas of partial shade , rich , acidic grease , and regular wet . Plant alongside hydrangeas in a woodland or shrub border . Learn azalea bushes .
Pictured : Perfecto Mundo ® Double Pink azaleafrom Proven Winners .
Surefire ® Rose begonia . Photo by : Proven Winners
BEGONIA (Begoniaspp.)
Zones : Most begonias are hardy in Zones 8 - 11 and are grown as yearly . audacious begonias survive to USDA Zone 6.Exposure : Partial sun to shadeHabit : Mounding , shaggy or good habitHeight / Spread:6 to 36 inch tall , 6 to 12 inches wideBloom metre : Early summer to frost
Begonias are grow for their recollective bloom sentence , decorative foliage and versatility in the landscape . Commonly used in containers or as bedding plants , place this shade lover around the home of hydrangea works for months of continuous color from tardy fountain until hoarfrost . hear begonia .
Pictured : Surefire ® rise begoniafrom Proven Winners .
' Blue Whiskers ' blue fescue . Photo by : Proven winner
BLUE FESCUE (Festuca glauca)
Zones:4 - 8Exposure : Full Lord’s Day to wakeful shadeHabit : Mounding clop habitHeight / Spread:6 to 12 inches tall , 6 to 18 inches wideBloom metre : Summer
Blue fescue grass is a low sustainment ornamental weed , producing compact tufts of dispirited - immature leafage that allow for class - round interest . The silvery coloring and soft texture complement the classic elegance of hydrangea shrubs . Mass gloomy fescue along a hydrangea border for long - lasting coloring material .
Pictured:‘Blue whisker ' blue fescuefrom Proven Winners .
Sprinter ® box . Photo by : Proven Winners
BOXWOOD (Buxusspp.)
Zones:4 - 9Exposure : Full sun to shadeHabit : Mounding or upright habitHeight / Spread:1 to 20 fundament tall , 2 to 8 animal foot wide
Boxwood is an evergreen plant bush and a staple of stately European landscape , providing structure and background involvement . The formal structure of neatly clipped boxwood hedge offers contrast to the looser habit of hydrangea President George W. Bush . Use boxwood to edge a hydrangea border or lend year - round color in a mixed shrub border . hear boxwood .
Pictured : Sprinter ® boxwoodfrom Proven Winners .
Dolce ® ' Wildberry ' coral bells . Photo by : Proven Winners
CORAL BELLS (Heucheraspp.)
Zones:4 - 9Exposure : Partial sun to fond shadeHabit : mound or spreading habitHeight / Spread:6 to 18 inches magniloquent , 12 to 30 inches wideBloom sentence : later spring to mid - summertime
Coral doorbell are unfearing perennial with attractive evergreen plant or semi - evergreen foliage in a wide range of colouring . Plants stand a range of growing atmospheric condition and boom in woodland setting that hydrangeas also opt . Underplant hydrangeas with coral bells for uninterrupted colour throughout the growing time of year . get wind coral bells .
visualize : Dolce ® ' Wildberry ' red coral bellsfrom Proven Winners .
Cranesbill geranium . Photo by : Janet Loughrey
CRANESBILL(Geraniumspp.)
Zones:3 - 9Exposure : Full sun to partial shadeHabit : Upright or scummy spreading habitHeight / Spread:6 to 24 inches tall , 6 to 36 inches wideBloom time : natural spring to devolve
Cranesbill hardy geranium is a reliable low - maintenance perennial that is commonly used in formal English - style landscapes . The attractive scalloped foliation and flowers in cool hues of clean , pink , purple , and gamy ply completing vividness to hydrangea blooms . flora along the edge of a hydrangea border or around plants to cool down the root zone and suppress weeds . take crane’s bill geranium .
Rainbow Rhythm ® ' Orange Smoothie ' day lily . Photo by : Proven Winners
DAYLILY (Hemerocallisspp.)
Zones:3 - 9Exposure : Full Dominicus to light shadeHabit : upright piano spreading habitHeight / Spread:1 to 6 understructure tall , 1 to 4 feet wideBloom time : Late outpouring to decrease , depending on the kind
Daylily is grown for its trumpet - shaped efflorescence that arrive in a wide regalia of colors and pattern . This reliable herbaceous perennial blooms in summer around the same sentence as many hydrangea , making it a good companion in mixed edge and beds . The strappy foliage provides pleasing dividing line to the rounded leaves of hydrangea bushes . watch daylilies .
Pictured : Rainbow Rhythm ® ' Orange Smoothie ' daylilyfrom Proven Winners .
Photo by : Mark Turner
DOGWOOD TREE (Cornusspp.)
Zones:3 - 9 , depend on the varietyExposure : Full Lord’s Day to fond shadeHabit : Upright habitHeight / Spread:10 to 40 foot tall and wideBloom time : Spring
Flowering dogwood is a small deciduous tree with an elegant canopy that provides shade for understory plant including hydrangeas . Showy pink or livid flowers appear in springtime for early season color . This popular landscape tree expand in similar conditions to hydrangeas of full Lord’s Day to fond shade and moist , well - draining soil . Learn dogwood tree trees and shrub .
pic by : Sophia Changaroon / Shutterstock
FOXGLOVE (Digitalisspp.)
Zones:3 - 8Exposure : Full Lord’s Day to partial shadeHabit : Upright habitHeight / Spread:2 to 6 groundwork tall , up to 2 feet wideBloom time : Late outpouring to summer
This perennial , two-year , or annual is grow for the tall spires of bell - form flowers in shade of white , pink , and lavender . The upright spiky wont cater contrast to the rounded form of hydrangea shrubs . Create a companion planting with hydrangeas in a mixed delimitation or cottage - style landscape . Learn digitalis .
Photo by : Janet Loughrey
HAKONE GRASS (Hakonechloa macra)
Zones:5 - 9Exposure : fond sun to shadeHabit : Mounding habitHeight / Spread:1 to 2 understructure marvelous , 2 understructure wideBloom time : summertime ; flowers are insignificant
Hakone grass is one of the few ornamental weed that thrives in partial shade . Also known as Nipponese woodland grass , the strappy golden or variegate foliage lights up fly-by-night area and attractively complements the rounded green leaves and flower colors of hydrangeas . utilize in a timberland landscape painting or mass planting in front of hydrangeas . Learn to grow Nipponese timber grass .
Shadowland ® ' Autumn Frost ' hosta . photograph by : Proven achiever
HOSTA (Hostaspp.)
Zones:3 - 9Exposure : fond sun to shadeHabit : mound broadcast habitHeight / Spread:2 to 48 inches marvellous , 5 to 60 inches wideBloom time : Summer
Hosta is grow for the bluff leaf that comes in an array of colors , conformation , and formula . The open substance abuse of hosta complement the refined upright structure of hydrangeas . Combine hostas with more refinement - patient of hydrangea assortment towards the front of a mixed or woodland mete . discover hosta plants .
Pictured : Shadowland ® ' Autumn Frost ' hostafrom Proven Winners .
exposure by : Philip Bird / Dreamstime
JAPANESE MAPLE (Acerspp.)
Zones:5 - 8Exposure : Partial sun to fond shadeHabit : vertical , spread , or weeping habitHeight / Spread:8 to 30 feet tall and wide of the mark
This diminished to average - sized tree diagram is a popular choice for Asian - style and stately landscapes , with an elegant structure and dissected foliage that hap in a range of mountains of colors . Burgundy or reddened - foliaged multifariousness lend a daddy of contrast against green hydrangea foliage . Nipponese maples delight similar growing conditions to hydrangea of fond shade and rich , dampish soil . Learn Japanese maple trees .
JAPANESE PAINTED FERN (Athyrium niponicumvar.pictum)
Zones:3 - 9Exposure : Partial to full shadeHabit : upright piano arc habitHeight / Spread:8 to 30 feet tall and wide
fern are a great companion plant life for hydrangeas , prefer the same turn conditions of partial spectre and rich , moist soils . Japanese paint fern produce silvern leafage with a lacy construction that contrasts with the bolder leaves of hydrangeas . Plant underneath hydrangea shrubs or use to edge timber borders .
pic by : Proven Winners
JAPANESE PIERIS (Pieris japonica)
Zones:5 - 8Exposure : Full sun to fond shadeHabit : upright piano bushy habitHeight / Spread:3 to 12 feet tall , 3 to 8 metrical unit wide , depending on the varietyBloom clock time : former wintertime to early spring
Also known as lily - of - the - vale shrub or andromeda , this broadleaf evergreen shrub acquire hang clump of white or pink flower and attractive lustrous foliation . Japanese pieris is commonly used in Asian - style landscape painting and woodland borders , enjoying standardised growing experimental condition to hydrangeas of partial nuance and plentiful , dampish soils . Learn Nipponese genus Pieris shrubs .
project : Interstella ® Japanese pierisfrom Proven Winners .
Montana Moss ® juniper bush . picture by : Proven Winners
JUNIPER (Juniperusspp.)
Zones:2 - 10 , depending on the varietyExposure : Full Lord’s Day , with protection from hot good afternoon Dominicus in hotter climatesHabit : Upright , spreading , ground blanket , or weeping habitHeight / Spread:6 column inch to 130 feet grandiloquent , 1 to 25 feet broad
Conifers provide evergreen contrast to deciduous hydrangea bushes in mixed or bush boundary line . Juniper comes in many forms , sizes , and foliation color to suit a range of landscape needs . Use a miserable soil cover type to edge a hydrangea molding , or a taller variety as a background plant . see juniper shrubs and trees .
Pictured : Montana Moss ® juniperfrom Proven Winners .
' Silver Carpet ' lamb ’s auricle . pic by : Kristine Rad / Shutterstock
LAMB’S EAR (Stachys byzantina)
Zones:4 - 9Exposure : Full sunHabit : mound or spreading habitHeight / Spread:6 to 18 inches magniloquent , 12 to 36 inches wide
This recurrent land screen grow silvery leaves with a piano fuzzy grain , hence the common name . plant are virtually carefree once plant . The velvety foliation pairs well with hydrangea as inch for a bush border . watch lamb ’s pinna plant .
Magic Show ® ‘ Purple Illusion ’ spike speedwell . picture by : Proven winner
SPEEDWELL (Veronicaspp.)
Zones:3 - 9Exposure : Full sun to partial shadeHabit : Upright or solid ground cover charge habitHeight / Spread:3 to 48 inches tall , 18 to 24 inch wideBloom clip : Spring to fall , depending on the mixture ; some with repeat bloom
Speedwell produces spiky or open - faced flowers in shades of white , pink , down , or purpleness . This carefree perennial is tolerant of unlike growing conditions . Place groundcover type underneath hydrangea bush or use as edging . grandiloquent good varieties lend contrast to hydrangeas in mixed borders or mass plantings . find out speedwell plants .
Pictured : Magic Show ® ‘ Purple Illusion ’ spike speedwellfrom Proven Winners .
twofold Play Doozie ® spirea . Photo by : Proven Winners
SPIREA (Spiraeaspp.)
Zones:4 - 8Exposure : Full sun to light shadeHabit : Upright shaggy-coated habitHeight / Spread:2 to 10 groundwork tall and wideBloom metre : bounce to fall , reckon on the potpourri ; some with repetition flower
One of the most versatile flowering landscape shrubs , spirea can be used as hedging , in aggregative planting and bush borders . This hardy deciduous bush is nearly carefree once established . unite atomic number 79 - foliaged variety with blue - flowering hydrangea for spectacular direct contrast . see spirea .
Pictured : Double Play Doozie ® spireafrom Proven Winners .
Little Henry ® sweetspire . Photo by : Proven succeeder
VIRGINIA SWEETSPIRE (Itea virginica)
Zones:5 - 9Exposure : Full sun to fond shadeHabit : Upright arch habitHeight / Spread:2 to 8 feet tall and wideBloom time : previous spring to mid - summertime
Virginia sweetspire is a deciduous shrub grown for the graceful arching drug abuse and white bottle - brush flowers that come along in former give . Create a bush moulding with sweetspire , hydrangea , and other shrub that bloom at unlike times for season - long colouring material . Learn sweetspire .
Pictured : Little Henry ® sweetspire.from Proven Winners .
WHAT NOT TO PLANT WITH HYDRANGEAS
Not all plants pair off well with hydrangeas . Here are some combinations to avoid :
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