Can I Use Hydrangeas to Enhance the Garden Around My Pool?
Hydrangeas are a beautiful choice to build a garden around your pool, as they add a touch of elegance and color to any outdoor space. These versatile flowers come in various hues, including vibrant blues, purples, pinks, and whites, allowing you to create a visually pleasing and serene atmosphere. With their lush foliage and stunning blooms, hydrangeas can effortlessly enhance the aesthetics of your poolside oasis.
Landscaping with Hydrangeas – Plant Companions
When you think about planting hydrangeas, you must have in mind some companions for it as well. Basically, you must consider plants that look alike and plants that don’t. A simple principle to follow is to focus on certain features of the main plant (such as big flowers, for instance) and to repeat them in other companion plants. Alternatively, you can contrast them with the rest of the garden (for instance, choose big flowers only in hydrangeas and small flowers to fill up space). Remember that hydrangeas grow as a mounding shrub that presents large and rounded leaves, so consider that when designing.1. Flowers
One common mistake when landscaping with hydrangeas is to consider only the flowers. Remember that flowers usually last very little, so don’t base your entire garden looks on them. As such, if you want to enjoy colors for as much as possible, imagine an assortment of flowers. Choose some that blossom before, simultaneously, or after the hydrangeas bloom. The colors depend entirely on you. Some prefer to go for similar shades, while others aim for an impressive contrast. Here you have some suggestions:- Zinnias;
- Snapdragons;
- Sunflowers;
- Foxgloves;
- Pansies;
- Heucherella;
- Peony;
- Catmint;
- Daylily;
- Dianthus.
2. Ornamental Grasses
Flowers are not the only ones to consider when landscaping with hydrangeas. If you want to obtain an impressive effect, you should also think about ornamental grasses. They have a timeless elegance that matches even the craziest plant combinations. The best part? They are easy to grow and require low maintenance. For instance, you can start learning how to grow Bermuda grass, which is a great companion for hydrangeas. Here you have some other ideas:- Fountain grass;
- Blue Fescue.
3. Trees and Shrubs
Some companions to consider when landscaping with hydrangeas are trees and shrubs. Taller plants are great in underlining the beauty of their big flowers, so a good idea would be to choose small to medium-sized trees. They can be the perfect choice for offering shrubs the shade they need. Here you have a couple of suggestions:- Tatarian Dogwood;
- Pagoda Dogwood;
- Reeves Spirea;
- Azalea;
- Rhododendron;
- Pieris;
- Mountain laurel;
- Japanese maples.
4. Hosta Plants
Our last idea for plant companions when landscaping with hydrangeas is the hosta plants. They have a great foliage, and in the summer, you can see the spikes of a trumpet-shaped flower. Their greatest advantage is the fact that they come in a huge variety. Moreover, they are just like hydrangeas since they both love the shade in the afternoon and the sun in the morning. They can also tolerate sun, which makes them perfect for planting under the hydrangea foliage. Given that there are so many varieties, it’s better to consult with an expert before buying a certain selection.Landscaping with Hydrangeas: Design Suggestions
Now that you know what plants go well with hydrangeas, it’s time to see how exactly you can combine them. Up next, you will see various suggestions and combinations between the plants we mentioned above and not only.1. Hydrangea Border
What You Need:- Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea Magnus);
- Giant Hyssop (Agastache ‘Black Adder’);
- Giany Hyssop (Agastache foeniculum ‘Alabster’);
- Bee Balm (Monarda ‘Vintage Wine’);
- Hydrangea paniculate ‘Limelight’;
- Sedum (‘Herbstfreude’).
2. Shady Corners
What You Need:- Hydrangea macrophylla (‘Madame Emile Mouillere’);
- Plantain Lily (Hosta ‘Patriot’).
3. An Impressive Walkway
What You Need:- Blue Lily Turf (Liriope muscari);
- Nepeta racemose (‘Walker’s Low’);
- Fountain Grass (Pennisetum alopecuroides);
- Maiden Grass (Miscanthus sinensis ‘Gracillimus’);
- Smooth Hydrangea (Hydrangea arborescens ‘Annabelle’);
- Oakleaf Hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia ‘Snowflake’).
4. Color Splashes
What You Need:- Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Endless Summer’;
- Astilbe chinensis ‘Vision’.
5. Romantic Hedges
What You Need:- Hakone Grass (Hakonechloa macra ‘Aureola’);
- Hydrangea paniculata ‘Limelight’.
6. Romantic Terrace
What You Need:- Hakone Grass (Hakonechloa macra ‘Aureola’);
- Hydrangea paniculata ‘Limelight’.
7. Hydrangea Slopes
What You Need:- Hydrangea paniculate ‘Limelight’;
- Different types of roses;
- Various herbs.
8. Hydrangea Jungle
What You Need:- Hydrangea arborescens ‘Annabelle’;
- Ammi majus;
- Echium pininana.