table of contents
- Eye-catcher in the garden
- Panicle hydrangea loves sun
- Farm hydrangeas (H. macrophylla)
- Snowball hydrangea (H. arborescens)
- Hydrangea (H. serrata)
- Velvet Hydrangea (H. sargentiana)
- Oak leaf hydrangea (H. quercifolia)
- frequently asked Questions
As solitary plants, hydrangeas are a real eye-catcher in every garden. With the right companion plants, however, their beauty is even more evident in a perennial bed. However, there are a few things to consider when combining with hydrangeas.
In a nutshell
- Note location when combining
- Hydrangeas love a sunny to partially shaded place
- Companion plants must not be the sole eye-catcher
- Combination tone on tone or mixed colors
Eye-catcher in the garden
Hydrangeas (hydrangeas) are eye-catchers in the garden even as solitary plants or when planted among themselves in small groups. However, this effect can be increased a lot with the right companion plants. It is possible to combine the hydrangeas with their plant partners tone on tone or simply mixed with one another. However, a few things have to be taken into account, so the accompanying plants should always remain more discreetly in the "background". In other words, don't steal the show from the hydrangeas. When making your selection, you should also ensure that not all hydrangeas love full sun, but that most varieties tend to feel comfortable in partial shade.
Panicle hydrangea loves sun
The panicle hydrangea (H. paniculata) with its creamy white flowers is crazy about the sun. For this reason, a wide variety of plant partners like
Scented nettle (agastache)
- Height: 30 to 250 cm
- Growth: bushy, upright, clump-forming
- Flower color: white, blue, orange, red
- Flowering period: June to September
Delphinium
- Height: 120 to 180 cm
- Growth: upright, clump-forming
- Flower color: blue, purple, white, pink, cream colored
- Flowering period: June to September
Red wig bush (Cotinus coggygria "Royal Purple")
- Height: 200 to 300 cm
- Growth: loose, broadly bushy
- Flower color: yellowish panicles
- Flowering period: June to July
Irises (Iris)
- Height: 60 to 110 cm
- Growth: upright, forming rhizomes
- Flower color: white, blue, purple, yellow, multicolored
- Flowering period: February to June
Coneflower (Rudbeckia)
- Height: 60 to 100 cm
- Growth: upright, bushy, clump-forming
- Flower color: yellow
- Flowering period: August to October
Soft lady's mantle (Alchemilla mollis)
- Height: 40 to 60 cm
- Growth: clump-forming, bushy, expansive
- Flower color: green, yellow
- Flowering period: June to August
Tip: Yew (Taxus baccata) and boxwood (Buxus sempervirens) also go well with panicle hydrangeas.
Farm hydrangeas (H. macrophylla)
The large flower balls in various colors are particularly impressive. These plants feel very comfortable in partial shade. For combining, discreet plant partners should be chosen for these hydrangeas, such as
Hostas (hosta)
- Height: 60 to 100 cm
- Habit: bushy, fleshy rhizomes
- Flower color: white to purple bell flowers
- Flowering period: June to September
Cherry laurel (Prunus laurocerasus)
- Height: 200 to 400 cm
- Growth: bushy, upright
- Flower color: creamy white candles
- Flowering period: May to June
- Special feature: excellent for background planting
Splendid sparrows (astilbe)
- Height: 10 to 100 cm
- Growth: upright, bushy
- Flower color: white, pale pink, red
- Flowering period: June to September
Record sheet (Rodgersia)
- Height: 70 to 160 cm
- Growth: clump-forming, spreading, upright
- Flower color: white, pink
- Flowering period: May to August
Star umbels (Astrantia)
- Height: 50 to 70 cm
- Growth: clump-forming, upright
- Flower color: red, pink, white, green
- Flowering period: June to August
Tip: A wide variety of ferns can also set beautiful accents here.
Snowball hydrangea (H. arborescens)
These hydrangeas love sunny to partially shaded locations. Its flowers appear pink and pure white. Suitable planting partners are here
Monkshood (aconite)
- Height: 50 to 150 cm
- Habit: upright, long taproot
- Flower color: violet, blue-violet, two-tone with white
- Flowering period: June to September
High sedum (Sedum hybrids)
- Height: 30 to 70 cm
- Growth: upright, clump-forming, rhizomes
- Flower color: pink, red, white
- Flowering period: August to October
High flame flower (Phlox paniculata)
- Height: 60 to 120 cm
- Growth: upright, bushy
- Flower color: red, pink, purple, white, multicolored
- Flowering period: June to September
Globe thistle (Echinops)
- Height: 80 to 100 cm
- Growth: upright, clump-forming
- Flower color: blue
- Flowering period: July to August
Note: A wide variety of ornamental grasses are also well suited as neighbors here.
Hydrangea (H. serrata)
These hydrangeas are an eye-catcher in themselves, especially in natural gardens. They prefer to grow in partially shaded places. The flowers shine in a blue to purple hue. The plate hydrangea can be combined well with the following companion plants
Dogwood (Cornus group)
- Growth height: 120 to 250 cm
- Habit: shrub-like, compact
- Flower color: red, white, pink
- Flowering period: April to July
Japanese anemone (Anemone hupehensis)
- Height: 50 to 130 cm
- Growth: bushy, upright
- Flower color: purple, pink, white
- Flowering period: July to October
Purple bells (Heuchera)
- Height: 15 to 60 cm
- Growth: upright, bushy
- Flower color: white, red, pink, cream colored
- Flowering period: May to August
Rhododendron (rhododendron)
- Height: 30 to 400 cm
- Growth: evergreen shrubs
- Flower color: blue-violet, violet, white, yellow, pink, red
- Flowering period: January to August
Sedges (Carex)
- Height: 5 to 120 cm
- Habit: herbaceous, rhizomes
- Flower color: yellowish, green, brown
- Flowering period: April to June
Velvet Hydrangea (H. sargentiana)
This wild form, which comes from China, loves a shady to partially shaded location. The small shrub produces white to purple panicles. These hydrangeas are easy to plant under
Christmas roses (Helleborus niger)
- Height: 10 to 30 cm
- Growth: herbaceous, clump-forming
- Flower color: pink, white
- Flowering period: January to March and November to December
Scented violets (Viola odorata)
- Growth height: 10 to 20 cm
- Habit: rhizome-forming, herbaceous
- Flower color: purple
- Flowering period: March to May
Note: Good planting partner for the Velvet hydrangea are also purple bells and rhododendrons.
Lily of the valley (Convallaria majalis)
- Height: 10 to 30 cm
- Habit: herbaceous, rhizome-forming
- Flower color: white
- Flowering period: April to June
Foam blossom (Tiarella)
- Growth height: 10 to 20 cm
- Growth: runners, forming a carpet
- Flower color: pink, white
- Flowering period: April to May
Oak leaf hydrangea (H. quercifolia)
The hydrangea, which comes from North America, loves a spot in partial shade. The white flower panicles can be up to 25 cm long and the foliage is similar to that of the American red oak (Quercus rubra). Good neighbors are
Japanese maple (Acer japonicum)
- Height: 100 to 200 cm
- Growth: well branched, compact
- Flower color: red, purple
- Flowering period: May to June
Cranesbill (geranium)
- Height: 15 to 80 cm
- Growth: herbaceous
- Flower color: white, purple, blue, magenta, pink
- Flowering period: June to July
Witch hazel
- Height: 200 to 400 cm
- Growth: upright, broadly spreading
- Flower color: dark red, red-brown, yellow, orange
- Flowering period: February to March
Tip: Hydrangeas are also easy to combine with each other. The plate hydrangea, for example, goes well with the farmer's hydrangea.
frequently asked Questions
Of course, these plants must have the same requirements in terms of location and care. The required lighting conditions are crucial. It should also be borne in mind that not every type of plant fits every type of hydrangea.
Normally they love the penumbra. Some can also handle full sun. The soil should be moist, rich in nutrients and humus, deep, with a pH between 5 and 6. Hydrangeas have a high demand for water.
Yes. Flowering bulbous and bulbous plants such as tulips, daffodils, snowdrops or crocuses are ideal for this. In addition, ground cover such as ivy (Hedera helix) and Günsel (Ajuga) cut a good figure.
