I’ve always loved hydrangeas – whether in white, pink, or blue, their lush flower heads bring a burst of beauty to the summer garden. Over the years, I’ve discovered how much more striking they can look when paired with the right companion plants. In this guide, I’ll share which plants work best with different types of hydrangeas and how to help them thrive in your garden.
Hydrangeas: What Goes Well With Them
Whether in white, pink, or blue – in summer, hydrangeas captivate with their magnificent flower heads. These companion plants highlight their beauty even more.
Few garden plants have as many fans as the hydrangea. With its lush blooms and decorative foliage, it’s truly one of a kind in the summer garden. Thanks to the variety of visually distinct species, hydrangeas offer great versatility in garden design. No wonder they’re now found in almost every garden. Even as a solitary plant or in small groups with different bloom colors, hydrangeas are real eye-catchers. But with the right companion plants, you can enhance their beauty even further.
Which Plants Pair Well with Hydrangeas?
- With Bigleaf Hydrangeas (Hydrangea macrophylla): hostas, astilbes, masterwort
- With Smooth Hydrangeas (Hydrangea arborescens): monkshood, garden phlox, globe thistle, tall sedum
- With Panicle Hydrangeas (Hydrangea paniculata): cherry laurel, yew, smoke bush, delphinium, anise hyssop
- With Velvet and Lacecap Hydrangeas (Hydrangea sargentiana and Hydrangea serrata): rhododendrons, flowering dogwood, coral bells, sedges, Japanese anemones
Where Do Hydrangeas Thrive Best?
Hydrangeas are often known as shade-loving shrubs, but most actually prefer a spot in partial shade—though smooth hydrangeas can tolerate deep shade. Many varieties also do well in sunny areas, provided they’re well watered, since hydrangeas have high moisture needs and love consistently moist soil. Panicle hydrangeas and oakleaf hydrangeas (Hydrangea quercifolia) are especially suitable for sunny spots in the garden.
The most popular variety remains the bigleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla), which shows off its vibrant flower balls from June to September. It prefers partial shade but will also grow in full shade. All hydrangeas thrive in nutrient-rich, deep soils with a high humus content and a low pH level between 5 and 6. Like rhododendrons, hydrangeas dislike alkaline soil—though they are slightly less sensitive to lime.
Good Companion Plants for Hydrangeas
If you’re looking for good companion plants for hydrangeas, you’re spoiled for choice. The best options vary depending on the location’s light conditions and the type of hydrangea. Just because a plant works well with one variety, like a bigleaf hydrangea, doesn’t mean it will suit a velvet hydrangea too.
What Goes with Bigleaf and Smooth Hydrangeas?
Bigleaf and smooth hydrangeas are among the most popular types and have the most striking flowers. Bigleaf hydrangeas, in particular, are known for their intense colors. Because they’re visually dominant, it’s best to pair them with more understated companions. Shade-loving perennials like hostas, white or pale-pink astilbes, or pastel-colored masterwort are great choices.
If you enjoy bold color contrasts, try pairing blue hydrangeas with red astilbes. Just make sure your chosen plants aren’t overly competitive when it comes to water—hydrangeas are very sensitive to drought, so avoid companion plants with aggressive root systems.
Smooth hydrangeas bloom in mid to late summer with lush white or pale pink flower heads. The popular white variety ‘Annabelle’ and the light-pink ‘Pink Annabelle’ make wonderful additions to sunny or partially shaded borders. They look great alongside vibrantly blooming perennials like monkshood (Aconitum), garden phlox (Phlox paniculata), globe thistle (Echinops), or tall sedum (Sedum hybrids). Their flowers are especially beautiful when surrounded by ornamental grasses.
Great Companion Plants for Panicle Hydrangeas
Panicle hydrangeas are very tolerant of sunny spots and work beautifully in “mixed borders.” Their elegant cone-shaped growth and mostly white to cream-colored flowers make them excellent partners for a wide variety of plants in the garden. Their delicate blooms are particularly striking when set against dark-leaved backgrounds. Evergreen classics like cherry laurel (Prunus laurocerasus) and yew (Taxus baccata), as well as red-leaved shrubs like the smoke bush (Cotinus coggygria ‘Royal Purple’) and purple-leaved hazel (Corylus maxima ‘Purpurea’), create a beautiful contrast.
If you want to pair them with perennials, you have plenty of options depending on where your panicle hydrangeas are planted. In sunny borders, they look great with sun-loving perennials like delphinium, anise hyssop (Agastache), or garden phlox. For partially shaded spots, try hostas, Rodgersia (rodger’s flower), or Japanese anemones.
Beautiful Companions for Velvet and Lacecap Hydrangeas
Velvet hydrangeas (Hydrangea sargentiana) and lacecap hydrangeas (Hydrangea serrata) have a picturesque, natural look and are perfect for those who love informal garden designs. Their flowers—often blue or violet—are less bold than those of bigleaf or panicle hydrangeas. In partial shade, pair them with perennials or shrubs that bloom at different times (like rhododendrons or flowering dogwoods), or with plants that subtly enhance their beauty without competing for attention.
Great companions here include foliage-focused perennials like hostas or coral bells (Heuchera), ornamental grasses like sedges (Carex), or understated bloomers like Japanese anemones.
Bonus Tip:
Different hydrangea varieties can also be beautifully combined with one another. For example, planting lacecap hydrangeas alongside color-matched bigleaf hydrangeas will extend your hydrangea bloom season—lacecaps start blooming about three weeks earlier than bigleaf varieties.
Hydrangeas are without a doubt one of my favorite garden plants, and I’ve found that choosing the right companions really brings out their full potential. Whether you’re drawn to the bold colors of mophead hydrangeas or the delicate charm of lacecap varieties, combining them thoughtfully with other plants can transform your garden into something truly special. I hope this guide has inspired you to experiment with new pairings and create your own vibrant hydrangea haven.
