Hydrangeas also do best when protected from strong winds which can damage their delicate blooms. Whether youre looking for bright yellow petals or deep purple hues, theres sure to be a variety out there that fits your style perfectly! Water regularly during dry spells but dont overdo it, as overwatering can cause root rot. Read on for some tips on what to plant with hydrangea. Yews are very hardy and can tolerate most soil types, including clay soils. Flower color is not affected by the soil pH. . Plant them alongside shrubs such as bobo hydrangea or viburnum which will provide contrast and texture while helping the soil retain moisture. Like all container plants, potted hydrangea needs more frequent watering than plants in garden soil. Heres how it works. The frothy flowering plant tolerates shade, requires abundant watering, and thrives in acidic growing mediums. Bobo is hardy to zone 4 and blooms on new wood. Read our. Boxwood can also be clipped into rounds that make for an appealing design, planted between hydrangeas with the shape of the flowers mimicking the rounds for symmetry. Reaching to just three feet tall, it will be engulfed by enormous creamy white flowers in summer, providing a nonstop show until frost. Although they prefer full sun, they will do with a little shade and form masses of amazing colorful leaves from gold, bronze, brown and nearly black to bright green. Spray it off and apply insecticide. Mass a bed of the shade-tolerant flowers in front of the hydrangea. BA1 1UA. Its pH range of 6-7 makes it suitable for most soil types including clay soils, making it a great choice for busy homeowners who dont want to spend too much time tending their gardens. Avoid the pink ones, or allow them to turn blue, as they will not do well with acid-loving azaleas and prefer more alkaline soil. By following these simple guidelines you will be able to create a beautiful garden without any issues! She is a former Clemson University Extension Agent. Having worked in the industry for almost two decades, Melanie is interested in all aspects of homes and gardens. For a spectacular show, try the white or yellow-flowering types to contrast with blue hydrangeas. It is a great plant to include in the foreground of your hydrangeas, says Sam Hoadley, manager of horticultural research at Mt. The clematis roots thrive in cool shaded conditions at the base of the hydrangea shrub while their vining top growth is tolerant of part shade to full sun and can gently twine though the hydrangea shrub itself. Foliage can aggravate skin allergies. Heres a guide on exactly how to do that. 'This variety also has the ability to withstand even the toughest of winters. If you want to manipulate the color of your hydrangeas, grow a variety of Hydrangea macrophylla. Catmint (Nepeta x faassenii) is a great low-growing perennial for around the base of bobo hydrangea or other shrubs. Hydrangea macrophylla also known as mophead, bigleaf hydrangeas, or the old-fashioned hortensia are generally easy to grow and care for with a little knowledge and observation. Its easy to care for and can be pruned into different shapes, making it a versatile addition to any garden. Echinacea purpurea blooms around the same time as hydrangeas and adds a pop of color. They will not flower as much in deep shade, and can get scorched in full sun, but do well in dappled shade with hydrangeas. Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. The feathery texture of the foliage contrasts nicely with the wide hydrangea leaves. You might choose other plants with rounded foliage as companions for hydrangea, like Hosta. Azaleas are not bothered by insects or diseases, making good companions for any acid-loving plants. It is also effective to pick plants with very different foliage for companions for hydrangea, such as lacy, delicate ferns. The only thing they require is well-draining soil. When planting your lavender its important to choose a sunny spot with well-draining soil and water regularly during the first growing season until they become established. If planting a hydrangea close to an existing tree, check with your local nursery as to how . This plant blooms on current year wood, so pruning too late in the spring will compromise the flower production for that year. Try pairing hydrangeas with foliage in different hues of the same color. Additionally, adding a layer of mulch around the base helps retain moisture and keeps weeds at bay too! As editor of Period Living, Britain's best-selling period homes magazine, Melanie loves the charm of older properties. Patricia was the assistant food editor at Southern Living and worked with the Southern Living food team from 2006-2022. When choosing companion plants for hydrangeas, it's important to consider care requirements as well mature size. The simplest way to provide it is to use a commercial mix for rhododendrons and azaleas or camellias avoid peat moss, which can dry out quickly and harden, adds McConnell. Bobo Hardy Hydrangea, 08095, 0809500RP00000, 08095004L00000, 08095024P00000, 08095060P00000, 08095032P00000, . When deciding what to plant with hydrangeas, consider not just varieties that will complement the plants visually, but those that will thrive in the same growing environment. All rights reserved. Commonly known as the false goat's beard, astilbe grows well alongside hydrangeas, says Omelchenko. Another dwarf hydrangea, 'Bobo' is quite popular. Caring for boxwoods is relatively simple but requires regular maintenance throughout the year if you want them to look their best. Developed by the same breeder as Pinky Winky, this dwarf hydrangea has already won the Gold Floral award for best . Prune lightly by removing only one-third of new growth each time; this will keep your plants looking neat without damaging them too much or causing excessive stress on the root system. Like all hydrangeas, the plant is toxic to pets. Pruning should only be done when necessary; yews respond well to pruning so you wont need to worry about over-pruning or damaging the plant if you trim it back occasionally. Finally, catmint adds height and texture with its delicate purple flowers plus its deer resistant too! As blooms age, they turn pink. Viburnums make excellent hedges because they grow quickly and stay lush all season long. Panicle hydrangeas prefer acidic soil (pH range between 5.8 and 6.2) that is rich and well-draining, similar to that in which azaleas thrive. Astilbes are also easy to grow and maintain, only requiring regular watering and good drainage. You can draw focus to your hydrangeas features either by repeating them or contrasting them in companion plants. Lavender is a beautiful and fragrant flowering plant that has been used for centuries in gardens worldwide. She has an English degree and has also studied interior design. At the end of the season, rake up and remove any fallen foliage that might harvest fungal spores to, prevent fungal diseases. It's good for small gardens and compact. There is no need to bring the containers indoors but provide additional insulation around the container. Easy to grow and tolerant of sun and shade, hydrangeas bring stunning foliage and big blossoms to your garden. They need rich soil with plenty of compost and leaf mold added. Every queen needs her court, however, so increase the enchantment of these flowering bushes by carefully selecting companion plants that will enhance your garden. Planting should take place in early spring when temperatures are still cool but not freezing cold; this will give your plants time to establish themselves before summer heat arrives. 8. Once established, it requires little maintenance and will spread quickly if given enough space. commonly reach 4 to 6 feet tall and wide in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 3 through 9. The Spruce uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. When choosing companion plants for hydrangeas, think about maximizing color and extending bloom time in your garden. Hydrangeas grow best in moist, well-draining soil, and will thrive in both acidic or alkaline soil. It thrives in full sun to part shade, in USDA Zones 7a-9b. They say Bobo is good in part shade to sun, and is 2-4 feet tall at maturity. However, slugs may be attracted to the soft leaves so you may want to take precautions against them if they are present in your area. Any of the pink or salmon colors will go well with white hydrangeas. This makes more sense because then you can also remove any branches or twigs that have died over the winter. Their whimsical flowers would offer a pop of color and contrast to the large showy inflorescences of the hydrangeas, adds Hoadley. The pH of the soil can be alkaline, neutral, or acidic, perfect for pink or blue hydrangeas. Learn tips for creating your most beautiful home and garden ever. Avoid planting too close to other shrubs, trees, or plants that require a lot of water as this can lead to root competition and cause stress on the hydrangea. They also like the same conditions as hydrangeas do, growing best in wet and shady areas. Choose medium-sized trees, like Empress of China Dogwood, to provide light shade and offer handsome flowers, foliage and bark. If planting a hydrangea close to an existing tree, check with your local nursery as to how close to the tree you should dig a hole. Double Reeves spirea, or bridal wreath, is a popular, easy-growing shrub. To complement these plants, consider adding other shrubs such as boxwood, azaleas, rhododendrons or viburnums. When planting bee balms make sure to leave some space between each plant so they have room to grow without overcrowding each other. Many ornamental and edible plants fall under this list, making poor companions. This lovely contemporary garden, rich in texture and Use our interactive toolsto design your dream garden. The reason for this is the chemical composition and pH levels in the soil. With proper care, they will bloom from mid-summer through early fall with beautiful white or pink flowers that attract pollinators like butterflies and bees. Viburnum, hostas and ferns pair well with this shrub. Bobo Hydrangea paniculata 'ILVOBO' USPP 22,782, Can 4,910. Many of these grasses do well in shade and partial shade and require regular watering with hydrangeas. Cookies, This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google, Hydrangea arborescens 'Annabelle' (Smooth Hydrangea), Hydrangea arborescens Incrediball (Smooth Hydrangea), Hydrangea macrophylla Endless Summer The Original, Hydrangea macrophylla 'Madame Emile Mouillere', Hydrangea quercifolia 'Snowflake' (Oak Leaf Hydrangea), Hamamelis x intermedia 'Jelena' (Witch Hazel), Hakonechloa macra 'Aureola' (Hakone Grass), Berberis thunbergii f. atropurpurea 'Rose Glow' (Japanese Barberry), Miscanthus sinensis 'Kaskade' (Chinese Silver Grass), Hydrangea quercifolia (Oak Leaf Hydrangea), Hydrangea macrophylla (Bigleaf Hydrangea), Plants with Purple Flowers to Add Charm to Your Garden, Plants with Pink Flowers to Add Romance to Your Garden, Beautiful Hydrangeas for the Upper South Region, Beautiful Hydrangeas for the Pacific Northwest Region, Beautiful Hydrangeas for the Middle South Region, Beautiful Hydrangeas for the Mid-Atlantic Region, Beautiful Hydrangeas for the Lower South Region, Beautiful Hydrangeas for the Coastal South Region, Want Garden Inspiration? 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