6 Best Annuals to Grow Next to Hydrangeas, According to Gardening Experts

Colorful, floppy hydrangeas are one of summer’s best gifts for the garden. Beautifully full and striking, hydrangea shrubs offer up an array of blooms from soft white to bright pink and purple.

If you’re looking for a commitment-free way to dress up your hydrangeas for the growing season, consider pairing them with pretty annuals. Growing annuals next to your hydrangeas allows you to switch up your garden beds each year, giving your landscape a unique look each season.

To help you with your design, we spoke with gardening pros, who told us which annuals make the most sense to plant with your hydrangeas. These plants all have very similar care needs to hydrangeas and won’t compete for resources.

Meet Our Expert

Related: The Best Perennials to Grow Next to Hydrangeas for Season-Long Color

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Begonia

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Begonias (Begonia) are a perfect companion plant for hydrangeas. Grown as an annual in most zones, begonias offer continuous blooms in vibrant colors like pink, red, and white. “Begonias and hydrangeas work well together because of their similar environmental needs,” says Angelika Zaber, a gardening expert with Online Turf. “Both plants require a few hours of morning sun, followed by some shade in the afternoon, and consistently moist, well-draining soil.”

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Impatiens

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Low-growing and perfect for the base of a tall hydrangea shrub, annual impatiens (Impatiens spp.) offer pretty, low-maintenance color in vivid shades of red, orange, purple, and pink. “Both impatiens and hydrangeas thrive in partial shade and consistently moist, nutrient-rich soil,” Zaber says. “They’re also a great way to add some color and visual interest around the base of the shrub.

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Coleus

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Coleus (Coleus scutellarioides) is known for its striking foliage, which pairs beautifully next to a hydrangea shrub. It does flower, but the plant is really at its peak with its dramatic leaves, which become dull if it starts to flower. “A coleus will give the same interest even when it is not flowering‚ and its large leaves contrast well with the large hydrangea flower heads,” says Tammy Sons, founder and CEO of TN Nursery. You can pinch or snip the flowers off when you see them so that the plant redirects its energy to its lush foliage instead. Coleus and hydrangea also have similar care needs, thriving in shady spots and consistently moist soil.

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Browallia

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While browallia (Browallia speciosa) is a tropical perennial, it’s typically grown as an annual since it can’t survive cold winters. Browallia likes afternoon shade just like hydrangea, making it a good companion. “Browallia blooms with beautiful, tubular flowers that come in blue, purple, and white,” Zaber says. “This makes it a perfect choice if you want to achieve that cottage or woodland garden look. Browallia also provides beautiful contrast to hydrangeas’ massive, clustered blooms.”

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Snapdragon

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Snapdragons (Antirrhinum majus) tend to like full sun, but they’ll also do well in part shade like hydrangeas. Or pair them specifically with a hydrangea variety that does well in sunnier conditions, like a Limelight hydrangea. “The plant’s flowers come in white, pink, red, yellow, orange, and purple, making it easy to pair them with hydrangeas that tend to have softer, muted colors, for a beautiful display that’s full of life,” Zaber says.

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Geranium

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Another sun-loving annual, geraniums (Pelargonium) are low-maintenance and offer long bloom times. They’re also quite adaptable without competing with hydrangeas for water, says Fernanda Varela, landscape designer with Seattle Sustainable Landscapes. Pair these with hydrangeas that tolerate sun. “Geraniums can be planted under the hydrangeas to cover their bare lower stems, and they look beautiful together,” she says.

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