Companion Planting with Oakleaf Hydrangeas: Enhancing Your Garden

Table of Contents

Oakleaf Hydrangeas: A Brief Overview

Oakleaf hydrangeas are native to the southeastern United States and are known for their beautiful, cone-shaped flower heads that bloom in late spring and early summer. They are also prized for their large, oak-like leaves that turn shades of red, purple, and bronze in the fall. These hardy shrubs can grow up to 8 feet tall and wide and are perfect for adding texture and color to your garden.

Why Companion Planting?

Companion planting is the practice of growing different plants together to improve growth, control pests, and increase yields. When it comes to oakleaf hydrangeas, there are many benefits to companion planting. By strategically placing other plants around your hydrangeas, you can create a beautiful, diverse garden that attracts pollinators and enhances the overall health of your plants.

15 Companion Plants for Oakleaf Hydrangeas

1. Hostas

Hostas are shade-loving perennials that make excellent companions for oakleaf hydrangeas. Their broad, lush leaves provide a beautiful contrast to the hydrangea's spiky blooms, and they can help to retain soil moisture and prevent erosion.

How to Plant:

Plant hostas in the shade of your oakleaf hydrangeas, making sure to leave plenty of space between the plants. Hostas prefer well-draining soil, so be sure to amend the soil with compost or other organic matter before planting.

Tips for Care:

Water hostas regularly, especially during hot, dry weather. Apply a layer of mulch around the plants to help retain moisture and suppress weeds.

2. Heuchera

Heuchera, also known as coral bells, are another shade-loving perennial that make great companions for oakleaf hydrangeas. Their delicate leaves come in a variety of colors, from deep burgundy to bright lime green, and their small flowers attract pollinators like bees and butterflies.

How to Plant:

Plant heuchera in the shade of your oakleaf hydrangeas, making sure to leave plenty of space between the plants. Heuchera prefers well-draining soil, so be sure to amend the soil with compost or other organic matter before planting.

Tips for Care:

Water heuchera regularly, especially during hot, dry weather. Apply a layer of mulch around the plants to help retain moisture and suppress weeds.

3. Ferns

Ferns are shade-loving plants that can add texture and interest to your garden. There are many varieties of ferns to choose from, including ostrich ferns, maidenhair ferns, and Japanese painted ferns.

How to Plant:

Plant ferns in the shade of your oakleaf hydrangeas, making sure to leave plenty of space between the plants. Ferns prefer moist, well-draining soil, so be sure to amend the soil with compost or other organic matter before planting.

Tips for Care:

Water ferns regularly, especially during hot, dry weather. Apply a layer of mulch around the plants to help retain moisture and suppress weeds.

4. Bleeding Hearts

Bleeding hearts are shade-loving perennials that produce delicate, heart-shaped flowers in shades of pink and white. They can add a romantic touch to your garden and attract pollinators like bees and butterflies.

How to Plant:

Plant bleeding hearts in the shade of your oakleaf hydrangeas, making sure to leave plenty of space between the plants. Bleeding hearts prefer well-draining soil, so be sure to amend the soil with compost or other organic matter before planting.

Tips for Care:

Water bleeding hearts regularly, especially during hot, dry weather. Apply a layer of mulch around the plants to help retain moisture and suppress weeds.

5. Astilbe

Astilbe are shade-loving perennials that produce fluffy plumes of pink, red, and white flowers in early summer. They can add height and texture to your garden and attract pollinators like bees and butterflies.

How to Plant:

Plant astilbe in the shade of your oakleaf hydrangeas, making sure to leave plenty of space between the plants. Astilbe prefers moist, well-draining soil, so be sure to amend the soil with compost or other organic matter before planting.

Tips for Care:

Water astilbe regularly, especially during hot, dry weather. Apply a layer of mulch around the plants to help retain moisture and suppress weeds.

6. Japanese Maples

Japanese maples are small trees or large shrubs that can add color and texture to your garden. They come in a variety of leaf shapes and colors, from deep purple to bright green, and can provide a beautiful backdrop for your oakleaf hydrangeas.

How to Plant:

Plant Japanese maples in the shade of your oakleaf hydrangeas, making sure to leave plenty of space between the plants. Japanese maples prefer well-draining soil, so be sure to amend the soil with compost or other organic matter before planting.

Tips for Care:

Water Japanese maples regularly, especially during hot, dry weather. Apply a layer of mulch around the plants to help retain moisture and suppress weeds.

7. Coral Bells

Coral bells are shade-loving perennials that produce delicate flowers in shades of pink, red, and white. They can add a pop of color to your garden and attract pollinators like bees and butterflies.

How to Plant:

Plant coral bells in the shade of your oakleaf hydrangeas, making sure to leave plenty of space between the plants. Coral bells prefer well-draining soil, so be sure to amend the soil with compost or other organic matter before planting.

Tips for Care:

Water coral bells regularly, especially during hot, dry weather. Apply a layer of mulch around the plants to help retain moisture and suppress weeds.

8. Blephilia

Blephilia are shade-loving perennials that produce spikes of purple flowers in mid-summer. They can add height and texture to your garden and attract pollinators like bees and butterflies.

How to Plant:

Plant blephilia in the shade of your oakleaf hydrangeas, making sure to leave plenty of space between the plants. Blephilia prefers moist, well-draining soil, so be sure to amend the soil with compost or other organic matter before planting.

Tips for Care:

Water blephilia regularly, especially during hot, dry weather. Apply a layer of mulch around the plants to help retain moisture and suppress weeds.

9. Foamflowers

Foamflowers are shade-loving perennials that produce spikes of pink or white flowers in late spring and early summer. They can add texture and interest to your garden and attract pollinators like bees and butterflies.

How to Plant:

Plant foamflowers in the shade of your oakleaf hydrangeas, making sure to leave plenty of space between the plants. Foamflowers prefer moist, well-draining soil, so be sure to amend the soil with compost or other organic matter before planting.

Tips for Care:

Water foamflowers regularly, especially during hot, dry weather. Apply a layer of mulch around the plants to help retain moisture and suppress weeds.

10. Solomon's Seal

Solomon's seal is a shade-loving perennial that produces arching stems of small, white flowers in late spring and early summer. It can add height and texture to your garden and attract pollinators like bees and butterflies.

How to Plant:

Plant Solomon's seal in the shade of your oakleaf hydrangeas, making sure to leave plenty of space between the plants. Solomon's seal prefers moist, well-draining soil, so be sure to amend the soil with compost or other organic matter before planting.

Tips for Care:

Water Solomon's seal regularly, especially during hot, dry weather. Apply a layer of mulch around the plants to help retain moisture and suppress weeds.

11. Blepharopsis

Blepharopsis is a shade-loving perennial that produces spikes of pink or purple flowers in late summer. It can add height and texture to your garden and attract pollinators like bees and butterflies.

How to Plant:

Plant blepharopsis in the shade of your oakleaf hydrangeas, making sure to leave plenty of space between the plants. Blepharopsis prefers moist, well-draining soil, so be sure to amend the soil with compost or other organic matter before planting.

Tips for Care:

Water blepharopsis regularly, especially during hot, dry weather. Apply a layer of mulch around the plants to help retain moisture and suppress weeds.

12. Lady Ferns

Lady ferns are shade-loving plants that can add texture and interest to your garden. They have delicate fronds that come in shades of green and silver, and they can help to retain soil moisture and prevent erosion.

How to Plant:

Plant lady ferns in the shade of your oakleaf hydrangeas, making sure to leave plenty of space between the plants. Lady ferns prefer moist, well-draining soil, so be sure to amend the soil with compost or other organic matter before planting.

Tips for Care:

Water lady ferns regularly, especially during hot, dry weather. Apply a layer of mulch around the plants to help retain moisture and suppress weeds.

13. Hellebores

Hellebores are shade-loving perennials that produce delicate flowers in shades of pink, white, and green. They can add a pop of color to your garden and attract pollinators like bees and butterflies.

How to Plant:

Plant hellebores in the shade of your oakleaf hydrangeas, making sure to leave plenty of space between the plants. Hellebores prefer well-draining soil, so be sure to amend the soil with compost or other organic matter before planting.

Tips for Care:

Water hellebores regularly, especially during hot, dry weather. Apply a layer of mulch around the plants to help retain moisture and suppress weeds.

14. Lungworts

Lungworts are shade-loving perennials that produce spikes of blue or pink flowers in early spring. They can add color and texture to your garden and attract pollinators like bees and butterflies.

How to Plant:

Plant lungworts in the shade of your oakleaf hydrangeas, making sure to leave plenty of space between the plants. Lungworts prefer moist, well-draining soil, so be sure to amend the soil with compost or other organic matter before planting.

Tips for Care:

Water lungworts regularly, especially during hot, dry weather. Apply a layer of mulch around the plants to help retain moisture and suppress weeds.

15. Virginia Bluebells

Virginia bluebells are shade-loving perennials that produce clusters of bell-shaped flowers in shades of blue and pink. They can add a pop of color to your garden and attract pollinators like bees and butterflies.

How to Plant:

Plant Virginia bluebells in the shade of your oakleaf hydrangeas, making sure to leave plenty of space between the plants. Virginia bluebells prefer moist, well-draining soil, so be sure to amend the soil with compost or other organic matter before planting.

Tips for Care:

Water Virginia bluebells regularly, especially during hot, dry weather. Apply a layer of mulch around the plants to help retain moisture and suppress weeds.

Companion planting is a great way to enhance the beauty and health of your garden, and there are many plants that make excellent companions for oakleaf hydrangeas. By planting a variety of shade-loving perennials and shrubs, you can create a diverse and vibrant garden that attracts pollinators and provides year-round interest.

FAQs

Q1. Can I plant oakleaf hydrangeas in full sun?

Yes, oakleaf hydrangeas can tolerate full sun, but they prefer partial shade.

Q2. How often should I water my oakleaf hydrangeas?

Oakleaf hydrangeas prefer moist soil, so it's important to water them regularly, especially during hot, dry weather.

Q3. What is the best time to prune oakleaf hydrangeas?

The best time to prune oakleaf hydrangeas is in late winter or early spring, before new growth begins.

Q4. Can I grow vegetables with my oakleaf hydrangeas?

Yes, you can grow vegetables with your oakleaf hydrangeas, as long as they are planted in separate beds.

Q5. What is the best way to fertilize oakleaf hydrangeas?

The best way to fertilize oakleaf hydrangeas is with a slow-release fertilizer that is high in phosphorus. Apply the fertilizer in early spring, before new growth begins.

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