Companion planting isn’t just for vegetables: the right plant pairings can even help your hydrangeas to flourish all summer long, giving you lusher, thicker borders. From foxgloves to ferns, these planting duos make the perfect neighbours for hydrangeas.
This clever gardening technique involves growing different crops, herbs or flowers together so they can benefit one another, such as repelling insects, improving the soil, or providing shade and support.
‘When planting companions, keep them about 30 to 45 cm away from the hydrangea crown to avoid disturbing the main roots and to leave a clear watering zone,’ says Dr Russell Sharp, Founder of Eutrema. ‘Mulch annually in spring or autumn with leaf mould or composted bark to buffer temperature swings and reduce summer drying. ‘Water deeply in dry spells rather than giving frequent light sprinkles, as deep watering encourages roots to explore the soil profile.’
If you want to ensure your hydrangeas grow bigger and stronger this year, it could all be down to their neighbouring plants. Take a look at the best ones to grow together:
1. Foxgloves
According to Connor Towning, Lead Horticulturist at Beards & Daisies, foxgloves and hydrangeas are a perfect duo.
‘The tall, upright spires of the foxglove contrast beautifully with the rounded, full shape of a hydrangea — and they enjoy very similar growing conditions, which makes them easy to manage together. Both want partial shade and moist, well-drained soil. The foxglove provides height and vertical interest, while the hydrangea does the work lower down. A classic cottage garden pairing for good reason.’
2. English Ivy
Trailing English Ivy might not be the most obvious choice, but Connor says it’s a brilliant groundcover to grow around the base of your hydrangeas.
‘It suppresses weeds, keeps the soil cool and moist, and fills in the gaps with year-round texture,’ he says. ‘It also thrives in shade, which is often the condition you’re dealing with at the base of a mature hydrangea. Just keep an eye on it and trim it back if it starts to get too enthusiastic.’
3. Azeleas 
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For Lucie Bradley, gardening expert at Easy Garden Irrigation, Azeleas are the perfect neighbours for hydrangeas as they thrive in the same conditions, including consistent moisture and their love of dappled shade.
‘The additional advantage of planting these two flowering shrubs together is that although they do share a few common pests and diseases, such as aphids, spider mites, leaf spot and powdery mildew,’ she says.
‘Most problems are unique to each shrub, so they don’t tend to pass these to each other, and the common diseases can be easily controlled by planting so there is sufficient air circulation and watering from below rather than above.’
4. Buxus Ball 
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Looking for something more formal? Buxus ball is a great structural companion for hydrangeas, says Connor.
‘The dense, evergreen foliage provides a clean backdrop that makes hydrangea blooms really stand out — and it earns its place in winter when the hydrangea has died back. Both tolerate partial shade well. It’s a combination that looks considered and deliberate without requiring much work to maintain.’
5. Ferns
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Leafy ferns happily grow tucked under the canopy of hydragenea plants. ‘They share the same needs for moisture, soil and shade, meaning no extra effort is needed to care for the two plants,’ says Lucie.
‘Some of the best ferns to grow with your hydrangeas are Japanese Painted Ferns as their delicate, lacy foliage with silvery-green-burgundy colours contrast perfectly with the thicker leaves and bold blooms of your hydrangeas. I’d highly recommend ‘Pictum’ with its metallic, silvery-grey fronds and burgundy-red stems, with its low growing height of 20cm to 45cm, enabling it to be perfect underplanting.’
6. Acer Garnet
‘A Japanese Maple planted near hydrangeas gives you two things that work brilliantly together — the Acer’s deeply cut, burgundy-red foliage provides a rich contrast to the soft blues, pinks and whites of hydrangea blooms. They also want similar conditions: partial shade, shelter, and consistently moist soil,’ continues Connor.
‘The Acer provides a canopy that actually helps shade the hydrangea’s roots on warmer days, which hydrangeas appreciate. They look like they were designed to sit next to each other.’
7. Hostas
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‘Being the ideal filler plants to hydrangeas, hostas will create a lush, green groundcover to hide the lower stems of your hydrangea, while their contrasting foliage complements each other,’ adds Lucie.
When choosing your hosta plants, Lucie suggests variegated ones, such as ‘Patriot’ or the dwarf hosta ‘Blue Mouse Ears’, if you’re looking for something smaller to fit tighter gaps.
‘Whilst the foliage of hostas and hydrangeas creates the ideal contrast, the fact that they should both be in bloom in June and July ensures that your garden will be full of lush layers of healthy foliage and stunning colours when you are likely to be outside enjoying the warm summer weather.’
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