15 Stunning Plants to Pair with Hostas: Create a Beautiful Garden

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Hostas: The Perfect Foundation Plant for Your Garden

If you're looking for a plant that can thrive in shade and add texture and interest to your garden, look no further than hostas. These perennial plants are known for their striking foliage, which comes in a range of colors, shapes, and sizes. Whether you're creating a woodland garden or a shady border, hostas are the perfect foundation plant.

But what should you plant alongside your hostas to create a stunning, cohesive design? In this blog post, we'll explore 15 plants that pair well with hostas. From ferns to heucheras, these plants will add color, texture, and interest to your garden.

1. Astilbe

Astilbes are a great choice for pairing with hostas because they also thrive in shade and have delicate, feathery blooms that contrast beautifully with the bold leaves of hostas. There are many different varieties of astilbes available, so you can choose one that complements the color and size of your hostas.

How to Grow Astilbe

Astilbes prefer moist, well-drained soil and partial to full shade. They bloom in mid- to late summer and come in shades of pink, white, and red. Plant them in groups of three or five for maximum impact.

2. Heuchera

Heucheras, also known as coral bells, are another great plant to pair with hostas. Their colorful foliage comes in shades of green, purple, orange, and red, and they have delicate flowers that bloom in early summer.

How to Grow Heuchera

Heucheras prefer well-drained soil and partial shade. They are drought-tolerant once established and can be grown as groundcover or in containers.

3. Ferns

Ferns are a natural choice for pairing with hostas because they also thrive in shade and have delicate, lacy leaves that complement the bold foliage of hostas. There are many different varieties of ferns available, from the classic maidenhair fern to the dramatic ostrich fern.

How to Grow Ferns

Ferns prefer moist, well-drained soil and partial to full shade. They are relatively low-maintenance and can add a beautiful texture to your garden.

4. Bleeding Heart

Bleeding hearts are a classic cottage garden plant that pairs beautifully with hostas. Their delicate pink or white blooms dangle from arching stems, creating a charming effect.

How to Grow Bleeding Heart

Bleeding hearts prefer moist, well-drained soil and partial to full shade. They bloom in spring and go dormant in summer, so be sure to plant them alongside other plants that will fill in the space later in the season.

5. Japanese Forest Grass

Japanese forest grass is a stunning ornamental grass that adds a bright pop of color to shade gardens. Its golden leaves contrast beautifully with the green foliage of hostas.

How to Grow Japanese Forest Grass

Japanese forest grass prefers moist, well-drained soil and partial shade. It can be grown as groundcover or in containers.

6. Solomon's Seal

Solomon's seal is a graceful woodland plant that pairs beautifully with hostas. Its arching stems are covered in delicate white or greenish-yellow flowers in spring, followed by blue-black berries in summer.

How to Grow Solomon's Seal

Solomon's seal prefers moist, well-drained soil and partial to full shade. It can be grown as groundcover or in containers.

7. Tiarella

Tiarella, also known as foamflower, is a charming shade-loving plant that has delicate pink or white blooms and attractive foliage that turns red or bronze in the fall.

How to Grow Tiarella

Tiarella prefers moist, well-drained soil and partial to full shade. It can be grown as groundcover or in containers.

8. Lungwort

Lungwort is a tough and reliable plant that pairs beautifully with hostas. Its leaves are spotted with silver, creating an interesting contrast with the bold foliage of hostas.

How to Grow Lungwort

Lungwort prefers moist, well-drained soil and partial to full shade. It blooms in early spring and attracts bees and butterflies to your garden.

9. Brunnera

Brunnera, also known as Siberian bugloss, is a shade-loving plant that has heart-shaped leaves and clusters of blue, pink, or white flowers in spring.

How to Grow Brunnera

Brunnera prefers moist, well-drained soil and partial to full shade. It can be grown as groundcover or in containers.

10. Coral Bells

Coral bells, also known as heucheras, are a great choice for pairing with hostas because they come in a range of colors and have attractive foliage that adds interest to your garden.

How to Grow Coral Bells

Coral bells prefer well-drained soil and partial shade. They are drought-tolerant once established and can be grown as groundcover or in containers.

11. Jacob's Ladder

Jacob's ladder is a charming woodland plant that has clusters of blue, pink, or white flowers in spring and attractive foliage that turns red or bronze in the fall.

How to Grow Jacob's Ladder

Jacob's ladder prefers well-drained soil and partial to full shade. It can be grown as groundcover or in containers.

12. Foamflower

Foamflower, also known as tiarella, is a delicate shade-loving plant that has pretty pink or white blooms and attractive foliage that turns red or bronze in the fall.

How to Grow Foamflower

Foamflower prefers moist, well-drained soil and partial to full shade. It can be grown as groundcover or in containers.

13. Variegated Solomon's Seal

Variegated Solomon's seal is a striking woodland plant that pairs beautifully with hostas. Its arching stems are covered in delicate white or greenish-yellow flowers in spring, followed by blue-black berries in summer.

How to Grow Variegated Solomon's Seal

Variegated Solomon's seal prefers moist, well-drained soil and partial to full shade. It can be grown as groundcover or in containers.

14. Foxglove

Foxgloves are a classic cottage garden plant that add height and interest to your garden. Their tall spikes of pink, white, or purple flowers contrast beautifully with the bold leaves of hostas.

How to Grow Foxglove

Foxgloves prefer moist, well-drained soil and partial to full shade. They bloom in early summer and attract bees and butterflies to your garden.

15. Lady's Mantle

Lady's mantle is a tough and reliable plant that has attractive foliage and clusters of yellow-green flowers in early summer.

How to Grow Lady's Mantle

Lady's mantle prefers well-drained soil and partial to full shade. It can be grown as groundcover or in containers.

In there are many different plants that pair beautifully with hostas. From astilbes to foxgloves, these plants will add color, texture, and interest to your garden. When choosing plants to pair with hostas, consider the color, size, and texture of both plants to create a cohesive design. Remember to also take into account their growing requirements, such as soil type and amount of sunlight.

FAQs

1. Can you grow hostas and sun-loving plants together?

No, hostas prefer shade and will not thrive in full sun. If you want to grow sun-loving plants alongside your hostas, consider planting them in a separate area of your garden.

2. How do I care for hostas?

Hostas prefer moist, well-drained soil and partial to full shade. They should be watered regularly, especially during dry spells, and fertilized in early spring and midsummer.

3. How do I prevent slugs from eating my hostas?

Slugs are a common pest that can damage hostas. To prevent slug damage, you can use slug bait or create a barrier around your plants using copper tape or diatomaceous earth.

4. Can hostas be grown in containers?

Yes, hostas can be grown in containers. Choose a large container with good drainage and fill it with well-draining potting soil.

5. When should I divide my hostas?

Hostas should be divided every three to five years to prevent overcrowding and maintain plant health. The best time to divide them is in early spring before new growth appears.

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