AT A GLANCE
Which plants are good alternatives to hydrangeas?
What alternative to hydrangeas is there for sunny locations?
You can count hydrangea species for full sun on one hand. The 600 cm high climbing hydrangea (Hydrangea petiolaris) or the 300 cm tall one panicle hydrangea (Hydrangea paniculata) do not fit into every garden concept. alternative sunbathers there is, however, like sand on the sea. These are three top candidates:
- Blue rue (Perovskia atriplicifolia) with lavender blue flower spikes.
- Hollow flowers (Ceanothus pallidus) with white or pink flowers.
- Summer lilac (Buddleja davidii) with large, fragrant panicles of flowers.
also read
Which hydrangea alternative is there for dry penumbra?
Hydrangeas thrive in dry conditions penumbra, hobby gardeners run: their feet sore on the inside in summer to cover the high watering needs of hydrangea water slurpers. These hydrangea alternatives tolerate good-naturedly in a partially shaded location short-term dryness:
- Yolk barberry (Berberis stenophylla), glossy evergreen, yellow-orange flowers, black fruits.
- Heavenly bamboo (Nandina domestica), evergreen, white summer flowers, splendid autumn colours.
- Mother-of-pearl shrub (Kolkwitzia amabilis), profuse, pink-white bell-shaped flowers, fragrant bee pasture.
- Spiraea (Spiraea vanhouttei), fairytale white flowers, yellow autumn colours.
Is there a bee-friendly alternative to hydrangeas?
Farmhouse hydrangeas are for bees, bumblebees and butterflies a bitter disappointment. The mostly barren flowers contain no pollen or nectar. These bee-friendly alternatives to hydrangeas invite insects to the table:
- Bearded Beard (Caryopteris clandonensis), blue flowers with a pollen and nectar value of 4.
- Raspberry (Rubus ideaus), white shell flowers as a nectar buffet for 12 bee and 74 butterfly species.
- Potato rose (Rosa rugosa), pink cup flowers invite you to harvest pollen and nectar in summer.
- Magnificent sedum, herbaceous alternative to hydrangea with crimson starry flowers, bulging with pollen and nectar.
Tip
Hydrangea blossom fairy tale for the north side
Hydrangeas compensate for the long list of exclusion criteria with a special location preference. Hydrangeas bloom most beautifully in humid, wind-protected locations that are only occasionally touched by sunlight. Prime example of a summery blossom fairy tale front yard on the north side are the ball hydrangeas 'Everbloom' and 'Schloss Wackerbarth' (Hydrangea macrophylla). The legendary Hydrangea arborescens with football-sized, white flower balls shines impressively in the light shade.
