Flowers That Go With Hydrangeas?

Question:

What kind of flowers can I plant in front of my Blue Endless Summer Hydrangea?

Hardiness Zone: 5b

Regina from Kane, PA

Answer:

Regina,

I scoured the web and looked through several of my garden reference books to find some suggestions for flowers that pair well with Endless Summer hydrangeas. Their deep green foliage and shrub-like form combine well with a variety of different plants.

For an emphasis on contrasting foliage, pair your Endless Summer with these shade perennials:

• Lungwort (Pulmonaria 'Raspberry splash'): This lungwort has an upright growth habit, raspberry-colored flowers, and green foliage with silver spots.

• Hosta: Look for varieties with variegated leaves.

• Brunneria 'Jack Frost'-Silver: Heart-shaped leaves that look they have been painted with crackle paint. The leaves are silver with light green veins. Tiny blue flowers bloom in the spring.

For pairings that emphasize a contrast in form, try these:

• Germaniums 'Rozanne': Known for its vigorous foliage and long blooming violet-blue flowers, this geranium was named the perennial plant of the year in 2000.
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• Nepta 'Walkers Low': A catmint with lavender flowers, this plant was named the perennial plant of the year in 2007.

• Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea): This perennial has upright stalks with tubular flowers available in shades of rose, white, lavender, or cream.

• Hollyhock: A popular and reliable biennial that readily self-seeds, there are single and double varieties now available in a multitude of colors. Try heirloom varieties behind your hydrangeas.

Some low growing annuals to try include Lobelia 'Royal Jewels' or 'Waterfall Azure Mist', Petunia 'Plush Deep Pink' or 'Tidal Wave Silver', Begonia 'Baby Wings White' or "Braveheart Rose Bicolor', Calibrachoa 'Superbells Coral' or Cabaret White', and Diascia 'Diamonte Coral Rose'.

Azaleas, Bleeding Heart (Dicentra), Camellias, Hellebores, and ferns would also make wonderful companions.

Ellen