Yes, hydrangeas and azaleas can be grown together. Both of these plants share similar requirements. Hydrangeas like to be positioned beneath taller trees just like azaleas. They develop blue flowers when grown in acidic soil, the same soils that azaleas like.
Can azaleas and hydrangeas be interplanted together?
They are interplanted in a such way that shorter azaleas (up to 2') serves as a filler between medium height (4-5') hydrangeas and the taller azaleas and hydrangeas forming a backdrop.
What can I plant next to my azaleas?
Smaller trees that make excellent companions for Azaleas include Magnolias (zones 4-12 depending on the variety; blooms in spring) and Dogwoods (zones 2-8; blooms in spring). Ground covers and other low-growing plants around your Azaleas can flesh out your garden and add depth.
How do you plant hydrangeas and hostas together?
You can use all the same variety or a mixture of two or three varieties. Plant them in a single row in a circle or half-circle around the hydrangea base or in small groups in a triangular pattern. Pink hydrangea blossoms partner well with hostas with bluish leaves and white blooms work well with green and white variegated hosta varieties.
What can I plant next to hydrangeas?
Azaleas and rhododendrons are some of the best plants to grow next to hydrangeas as they like the same things – a bit of shade and a good organic mulch. These plants match blue hydrangea’s preference for slightly acidic soil too.
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Do hydrangeas and azaleas like the same soil?
Azaleas and rhododendrons are some of the best plants to grow next to hydrangeas as they like the same things – a bit of shade and a good organic mulch. These plants match blue hydrangea's preference for slightly acidic soil too.
What plant pairs well with azaleas?
Partner azaleas in the garden with woodland perennials such as ferns, wild ginger (Asarum), Solomon's seal (Polygonatum), hosta (Hosta), toad lily (Tricyrtis), and many others. Combine azaleas with other flowering shrubs.
What should I plant with hydrangeas?
Foxgloves (Digitalis purpurea) grow tall stalks lined with bell-shaped flowers. Pansies (Viola wittrockiana) might also work well and come in myriad shades. Or go with heucherella. Its foliage works well with the green foliage of hydrangeas, especially dark, exotic cultivars like “Twilight.”
Do hydrangeas and azaleas like the same fertilizer?
Fertilize established plants using an all-purpose fertilizer in both spring and fall, with the exception of Hydrangeas and Azaleas.
Where's the best place to plant an azalea?
Where to Plant Azaleas. Select a location that has morning sun and afternoon shade, or filtered light. Hot all-day sun can stress the plants and make them more susceptible to pests. Azaleas also require well-drained, acidic soil.
How do you make azaleas landscape?
Planting azaleas in your landscape is fairly straightforward. Just be sure to avoid planting them too deep. The soil line of the plant should be just slightly higher than your existing soil line. Water your plants deeply when planting and once daily for the next few days.
Can you plant hydrangeas close together?
Planting them closer means that separate plants will touch sooner, and then overlap at maturity. The result is a lush wall of foliage and flowers that is hard to resist! It may be tempting to plant them close together, but make sure you're not planting them too close.
What is the best time of year to plant hydrangeas?
When is The Best Time to Plant Hydrangeas?The best time to plant a hydrangea is well before the high heat of summer arrives. ... Aim for late spring, well after any danger of frost has passed, or early fall, when night temperatures usher in cooler air.More items...•
How do I make my hydrangeas landscape?
Shade-loving hydrangeas thrive in woodland settings, but avoid planting them too close to trees so they don't have to compete for water. Landscape around them with hostas, native plants or spring-flowering bulbs that emerge before the trees leaf out.
Is Miracle Grow good for hydrangeas?
Miracle-Gro Water Soluble Bloom Booster Flower Food This is an all-purpose blossom booster that's suitable for use on a wide variety of perennial and annual blooming plants, including hydrangeas.
Do hydrangeas like full sun?
Hydrangeas like morning sun, but do not do well if they're in direct, hot afternoon sun. Partial shade in the later parts of the day is ideal for these beauties.
How do I get more blooms on my hydrangea?
To increase blooms, plant the hydrangea in an area of morning sun with shade in the afternoon, ensure the soil is consistently moist and apply a well-balanced fertilizer in Spring. Hydrangeas bloom on last year's growth, so avoid pruning your hydrangea too often, to encourage more flowers.
How far apart should I plant hydrangeas?
If the mature plant will grow to: Under 3 Feet Tall - Space the plants 2 feet apart. 3 to 5 Feet Tall - Leave about 30 inches between each plant. What shrubs go well with hydrangeas? Azaleas and boxwood shrubs will look good planted in front of hydrangeas. Azaleas blossoms will provide early color.
What is the best soil pH for azaleas?
Azaleas do best with a soil pH between 4.5 and 5.5 and, while they grow in full sun, they do best with partial shade against the morning sun, especially in winter. Consequently, how close can you plant azaleas? All these must be factored in when deciding where to plant azaleas.
What is oak leaf hydrangea?
The oak-leaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia) makes a natural choice, thriving in part shade and providing interest with its broad, oak-leaf foliage and late season flowers. Click to see full answer. Similarly, it is asked, what can I plant near hydrangeas?
Factors that you should look before deciding the Alzalea companion plants
Looking for an appropriate companion plant for azaleas? Find a plant that will adjust to the same conditions azaleas thrive in.
Best Azalea Companion Plants
The best azalea companion plants are those that gel well in the same requirements as these plants. It doesn’t mean that azalea companions have to be just plants or shrubs, they could even be large trees!
Plants to Avoid Planting With Azalea
Those plants that do not share the same requirements as azaleas make the worst azalea companions. They may require alkaline soil, less watering, and poor soil.
Conclusion
Azalea boasts of having quite a few companions. Most of which aren’t bad at adding color and texture to your garden.
Can Hydrangeas and Azaleas be planted together?
Yes, hydrangeas and azaleas can be grown together. Both of these plants share similar requirements. Hydrangeas like to be positioned beneath taller trees just like azaleas. They develop blue flowers when grown in acidic soil, the same soils that azaleas like. Both plants like to be in moist soils.
What are the best companion plants for Encore Azaleas?
The best companion plants for encore azaleas are Hollies, Hosta, Abelias. Another great companion plant for encore azaleas that is easy to grow is Canna lilies. These are the most suitable plants since their sun exposure, soil, and water requirements are common ground.
An Ounce of Prevention
Preen is a pre-emergent herbicide that must be applied before the weed seeds germinate to be effective. Weeds that are already growing in the garden will have to be pulled before applying preen. Most Preen products contain trifluralin as the main weed-killing ingredient.
Good for the Goose but Not the Gander
Preen weed preventer is safe to use around azaleas but not hydrangeas. It will not harm azaleas or their roots, although it should be washed off if it accidentally gets on the foliage. Sprinkle it over the garden soil at a rate of 1 ounce for 10 square feet every 9 to 12 weeks from late winter or early spring to fall.
Quick Care Guide For Hydrangeas
Hydrangea macrophylla – also known as mophead, bigleaf hydrangeas, or the old-fashioned hortensia – are generally easy to grow and care for with a little knowledge and observation. They also grow well in containers.
Why Do Some Hydrangeas Change Flower Color?
It can be confusing to see your prized blue hydrangea change color to pink once you get them in the ground.
Best Companion Plants For Hydrangeas
Azaleas and rhododendrons are some of the best plants to grow next to hydrangeas as they like the same things – a bit of shade and a good organic mulch.
What Not To Plant With Hydrangeas
Due to the conditions hydrangeas prefer, sun-loving or deep shade plants will not cope. Many ornamental and edible plants fall under this list, making poor companions.
Shrubs To Plant With Hydrangeas
Azaleas, hollies, yews, mahonia, gardenia, loropetalum and boxwood shrubs will look good planted in front of hydrangeas. Azaleas blossoms will provide early color. You can select your favorite blossom color since the azalea blooms will have faded before your hydrangea is flowering.
Perennials To Plant With Hydrangeas
Shade tolerant perennials make excellent partners next to hydrangeas. Some of the best are hostas, ferns, foxglove & coral bells. Many upright hydrangeas create a shady area under their foliage. This is a great location for planting shade-loving hostas. Most gardeners grow hostas for their lovely foliage.
Annuals To Plant With Hydrangeas
As with perennials, shade tolerant annuals grow great next to hydrangeas. These plants also typically prefer having rich and fertile soil and being watered frequently. Some of the best annuals to grow with hydrangeas are coleus, impatiens and begonias.
Trees To Plant With Hydrangeas
Consider planting next to medium sized trees to help protect against the afternoon sunlight. Dogwoods, crape myrtles & dwarf Japanese maples are typically great next to hydrangeas. Dwarf Japanese maples with dark foliage for contrast with green hydrangea leaves.
Ornamental Grasses To Plant With Hydrangeas
Low maintenance ornamental grasses will be a good partner in sunnier locations. Short grasses can be used in front along the border of a hydrangea bed and taller ones can be used at the ends of a hydrangea border garden. Their texture will be a nice compliment to the larger leaves of most hydrangeas.
Best Hydrangea Companion Plants For Containers
Hydrangeas make perfect container plants. It allows you to get beautiful colorful flowers in new locations like patios, decks, entryways and underneath large trees with big root systems. Just be sure to leave enough space for the hydrangea roots and the plants you grow with the hydrangea in the container.
Plants Not to Grow With Hydrangeas
Hydrangeas can grow well with most plants. However, do not plant hydrangeas in locations where they will receive no sunlight at all. This will drastically reduce the amount of flowers the plants will produce. So tall trees and shrubs planted close by can be helpful in the afternoon heat, but not if they eliminate all sunlight hitting the plants.
2. Daylilies
When considering what to plant with hydrangeas, think about classic color combinations.
5. Pieris japonica
Flowering early in the season, pieris japonica is a great companion plant for hydrangeas. ‘This spring-blooming shrub partners well in a shrub border with hydrangeas; I consider it the opening act for the summertime hydrangea display, says Bob Polomski, horticulturist with Clemson University Cooperative Extension.
6. Conifers
When thinking about what to plant with hydrangeas, don't overlook trees and bushes.
7. Ornamental grasses
Ornamental grasses add a wonderfully textural contrast to hydrangeas. Many species are non-invasive, and will happily fill a border, nestling in around other plants.
Planting roses and hydrangeas together
It is possible to plant roses and hydrangeas together. However, as roses are sun loving, while hydrangeas prefer some shade, you will need a more tolerant variety.
Can you plant peonies and hydrangeas together?
As peonies flower earlier in the season than hydrangeas, they can make lovely planting companions. Once they are over, the plant will begin to die back, making way for hydrangeas to shine.
Choosing Companions for Azaleas and Rhododendrons
When planting Azaleas and Rhododendrons, it is important to choose companion plants that can thrive under the same growing conditions. This will help to create an attractive landscape and garden design. Additionally, companion plants can provide early or late-blooming, fall color, persistent showy berries, or attractive textural contrast.
Hollies
Hollies are a genus of 600 species in the family Aquifoliaceae. They are woody plants that typically have alternate simple leaves with wavy margins and tip spines. The plants are unisexual and have four petals. The most well-known holly is the Christmas holly, Ilex aquifolium.
Cleyera
Cleyera is a genus of shrubs that are native to China and Japan but have been naturalized in the Southern United States. They have a neat shape and require little pruning. The new growth starts out red and gradually turns dark green. USDA zones 8 through 10.
Abelias
There are a few different types of Abelias, but the most common are the Autumn Bonfire® azaleas and the Purple Autumn Royalty®. They both have variegated foliage that is extremely attractive and provides a pop of color in any garden. In addition, they both have white to light pink blooms that add to their beauty in the springtime.
Carex or Sedge
Organic matter is a broad term that refers to materials derived from plants and animals. When added to soil, organic matter improves the nutrient and water-holding capacity, which in turn helps improve plant growth.
Korean barberry
Korean barberry is a shrub that is native to Korea. It is drought tolerant and can survive in dry conditions. However, it has become invasive in some states because it outcompetes other plants for resources.
Ruby Spice
Ruby Spice is a small, deciduous tree that is noted for producing a mid to late summer bloom of sweetly fragrant white flowers which appear in narrow, upright panicles (racemes to 2-6). Mature stems have scaly bark and leaves. Leaves are 3-4” long with 5-7 leaflets.
What Do Azalea Bushes Need to Thrive?
Given the right conditions, growing Azaleas is a breeze. Plant them in a spot they like, and you’ll get beautiful blooms every spring with minimal work. Azaleas are a bit picky about soil and light conditions, though, so you have to get the environment right.
What Makes a Good Companion Plant for Azaleas?
Other plants that thrive under the same conditions as Azaleas make ideal companion plants for the Azalea garden. Companion plants must be suited to the same soil type as Azaleas – acidic, moist, well-drained, organic soil.
What Types of Plants Look Best With Azaleas?
The best companion plants for Azaleas will not only thrive under the same conditions but will complement Azaleas in terms of colors, textures, and seasonality. Companion plants may include overstory trees, neighboring shrubs, and smaller plants that grow below and around Azaleas.
Raised Beds with Acidic Soil
If your area has alkaline or neutral soil, a raised bed filled with acidic soil is often the easiest way to grow Azaleas ( learn more here ). Pair Azaleas in your acidic raised bed with other acid-loving plants, such as those in the Ericaceae plant family.
Our Suggestions for Plants to Pair With Your Azaleas
Azaleas are often planted with other shrubs, but you can also consider complementing them with overstory and low-level plants. Filling in the vertical space can add richness to your garden’s aesthetic.
Putting It All Together
Key factors to consider when choosing companion plants for an Azalea garden are growing conditions and aesthetics. Pair Azaleas with plants that do well in moist, acidic soil with plenty of organic matter and don’t require full sun.
What is the best grass for hydrangeas?
If you want the focus of your garden to be mainly on hydrangeas, consider the understated elegance of ornamental grasses. Typically low-maintenance and easy to grow, these grasses subtly enhance the beauty of the flowers without calling attention to themselves. Anchor the corners of your garden with the tall and handsome, burgundy-colored, fountain grass; a sun-lover, its showy purple plumes will float in the breeze and provide a bit of shade for the hydrangeas. Blue fescue, which forms bluish-gray tufts, loves full or partial sun, just like hydrangeas. These tufts will grow anywhere from 4-11 inches and is an ideal choice for edging your garden.
What shrubs can be grown in the sun?
Dogwoods also offer attractive blossoms, foliage and bark. Reeves Spirea, or double bridal wreath, is a popular, easy-growing shrub. Reaching 5 to 6 feet, its arching, white-flowered branches also provide protection from the mid-day sun for the hydrangeas.
Do hostas like sun?
Native to Asia and introduced to American gardeners in the mid-19th century, hosta plants share hydrangea's love of morning sun and afternoon shade. There is an incredible variety of shapes, sizes, and colors to choose from. While many varieties of hostas can tolerate the sun, hostas generally prefer shade, which is why this plant works well growing under the canopy of hydrangea foliage. New selections of hostas enter the scene in droves, and names change periodically. To be sure you get the hosta you want, buy the plant in full lfeaf or deal with an expert.
Can hydrangeas be planted in shade?
Hydrangeas are beautiful on their own, but there are other plants that can enhance the visual appeal of these Southern garden favorites. Whether you want to provide additional color, ground cover, or shade, consider planting a companion plant.
Is a hydrangea a queen?
It's an established fact that the hydrangea is the Queen of the Southern Garden. As long as they are protected from the blazing afternoon sun and given adequate shade, fertilizer, and water, hydrangeas will give you big, bouncy blossoms and deep green foliage all summer long. Every queen needs her court, however, ...
