Hydrangea macrophylla in bloom

This year seems to a particularly good one for Hydrangea shrubs, both the macrophylla and quercifolia types, which seem to be the best types to grow in Sydney. Huge heads of pink, mauve, blue and white are to be seen in many gardens at the moment. They have a long blooming season and are wonderful to pick for vases. Another plus is that they are suitable shrubs for growing in shady spots in the garden, where they will flourish well, as long as they have sufficient moisture in the soil, especially when they are being established.

Hydrangea quercifolia Snowkflake with Arthropodium cirrhatum

Hydrangea quercifolia Snowkflake with Arthropodium cirrhatum

I've written in previous blogs here and here about the cultivation of these shrubs, so this time I have decided to focus on shade-loving companion plants for Hydrangea, mainly those which bloom at the same time or which have foliage that really enhances the planting scheme. The large, lush leaves of the Hydrangea provide an effective green background to lower plants, and I think they do look best if a few of them are grown together rather than singly, for more impact. One of the classic partners for them is the perennial renga renga lily (Arthropidium cirrhatum), which has prolific spires of small white star-shaped flowers, usually white, which provide a nice contrast to the rounded or conical heads of the Hydrangea. They are particularly nice with white Hydrangea. I recently acquired a pretty pink renga renga lily, which I will plant nearby a Hydrangea. The renga renga lily is excellent for shade, even dry shade. The arching foliage is attractive year-round.

Hydrangea shrubs with Albuca nelsonii in foreground

Hydrangea shrubs with Albuca nelsonii in foreground

A plant in the same (Asparagaceae) family as the renga renga lily that also is in bloom now and does well in shade is the candelabrum lily (Albuca nelsonii), a bulb with unusual green-and-white striped upturned blooms in November, held above glossy evergreen foliage. The sculptured spathes of the arum lily (Zantedeschia) also look terrific with Hydrangea flowers. I don't grow the original species these days as it self-seeds so badly, and is now regarded as a weed but I enjoy the dwarf cultivars and the spotty-leaved Zantedeschia albomaculata.

White-flowered Hydrangea macrophylla with Plectranthus zuluensis

White-flowered Hydrangea macrophylla with Plectranthus zuluensis

Plectranthus generally don't begin flowering until summer is well underway, but the unusual Plectranthus zuluensis begins its long blooming period around now, sporting is soft blue flowers in short spires. Plectranthus are excellent soft-wooded shrubs for dry shade and this one makes a nice partner for a white Hydrangea. Another suggestion is Justicia carnea, an easy-care shrub that has large, tousled heads of flowers in shades of pink and white and is a good doer in shade. The inflorescences give a contrast of form to Hydrangea blooms and they appear over a very long period.

Hydrangea Dance Party with Impatiens varieties

Hydrangea Dance Party with Impatiens varieties

Now that 'busy Lizzies' (Impatiens walleriana) are back, seemingly now immune to the fungal disease that basically wiped them out a few years ago, I am planting them with enthusiasm in my garden, along with the New Guinea variety (Impatiens hawkeri. These annuals are both good from shady spots though the New Guinea ones like a bit more morning sun than is needed by Impatiens walleriana. The jewel-like hues of the simple, rounded flowers make a lovely underplanting for Hydrangea of any colour. I also like to partner white busy lizzies with white-flowered Hydrangea.

Hydrangea Pia Mia with Salvia Kisses and Wishes

Hydrangea Pia Mia with Salvia Kisses and Wishes

Most of the in my garden are blue, due to my acid soil but I do have some white ones, which tend to stay white unless the pH of the soil is extreme in one direction or the other (when they will become tinged with pink or blue). However, I do have the compact 'Pia Mia', which appears to stay pink no matter what, and it is consorting nicely with the soft pink spires of Salvia 'Kisses and Wishes', which can handle some shade.

Hydrangea Dance Party and Hydrangea quercifolia with Pilea cadierei and Plectranthus argentatus

Hydrangea Dance Party and Hydrangea quercifolia with Pilea cadierei and Plectranthus argentatus

Foliage that complements Hydrangea shrubs includes that of silver- and grey-leaved plants that can grow in shade. These look particularly lovely with white Hydrangea flowers, and some examples include Plectranthus argentatus, Strobilanthes gossypina and Helichrysum petiolare. White-variegated leaves also look delightful with white Hydrangea blooms -such as such as stripy fans of Iris japonica 'Variegata' and the rounded foliage of Farfugium japonicum 'Argenteum'. The silver-flecked leaves of the bushy perennial Pilea cadierei also are a good companion to . Ferns provide an excellent contrast of form with their finely dissected leaves, and the silvery Cretan brake fern (Pteris cretica 'Albolineata' makes an attractive edging grown at the base of a Hydrangea.

Hydrangea quercifolia Little Honey with justicia brandegeeana Lutea

Hydrangea quercifolia Little Honey with justicia brandegeeana Lutea

In some cases, it is the foliage of the Hydrangea itself that can act as a colour echo in the garden. The luscious lime-green of the new leaves of Hydrangea quercifolia 'Little Honey', grown in a shady spot lolls next to the lime-yellow-flowered version of the old-fashioned shrimp plant (Justicia brandegeeana 'Lutea') in a most agreeable way at the moment. Later, the leaves of 'Little Honey' will become greener. In a sunny spot, the leaves are brilliant gold. The white and green variegated foliage of Hydrangea macrophylla 'Maculata', a plant handed down to me by my grandmother, is a fresh and bright companion to any white flowers grown in shade or indeed, a white Hydrangea grown next to it, as in my garden.

I'd love to hear of Hydrangea buddies in your garden!