Stunning Plants To Pair With Hostas

Stunning Plants to Pair with Hostas

Hostas are one of the most popular shade-loving perennials, and for good reason. They come in a wide variety of colors, sizes, and textures, and they're relatively easy to care for. But if you want to create a truly stunning hosta garden, you'll need to pair them with the right companion plants.

In this blog post, I'll share some of my favorite plants to pair with hostas. These plants will add color, texture, and interest to your garden, and they'll help to create a balanced and harmonious look.

Ferns

Ferns are a classic companion plant for hostas. They share a similar preference for shady, moist conditions, and their ethereal fronds of finely textured foliage can provide a beautiful contrast to the broad leaves of hostas.

Some of my favorite ferns to pair with hostas include:

• Japanese painted fern (Athyrium niponicum)
• Oak fern (Dryopteris affinis)
• Maidenhair fern (Adiantum pedatum)
• Christmas fern (Polystichum acrostichoides)
• Lady fern (Athyrium filix-femina)

Coral bells

Coral bells are another great choice for companion plants for hostas. They come in a wide variety of colors, from bright pink to deep purple, and their foliage is often variegated. Coral bells are also relatively low-maintenance, making them a good choice for busy gardeners.

Some of my favorite coral bells to pair with hostas include:

• Heuchera 'Palace Purple'
• Heuchera 'Caramel'
• Heuchera 'Mardi Gras'
• Heuchera 'Lime Rickey'
• Heuchera 'Sweet Tea'

Hakonechloa

Hakonechloa is a type of grass that is known for its graceful, cascading leaves. It is a great choice for adding movement and interest to a hosta garden. Hakonechloa can be grown in full shade to partial sun, and it is relatively easy to care for.

Some of my favorite hakonechloa cultivars to pair with hostas include:

• 'Aureola'
• 'Golden Tiara'
• 'Nagoya Gold'
• 'Sundance'
• 'Evergold'

Pulmonaria

Pulmonaria is a spring-blooming perennial that is known for its attractive, heart-shaped leaves. The flowers of pulmonaria are typically blue or purple, and they add a splash of color to the garden in early spring. Pulmonaria is a good choice for planting under deciduous trees, as it will tolerate some shade.

Some of my favorite pulmonaria cultivars to pair with hostas include:

• 'Mrs. Moon'
• 'Diana'
• 'Renaissance'
• 'Sissinghurst White'
• 'Buttercup'

Other companion plants

In addition to the plants listed above, there are many other great companion plants for hostas. Some other popular choices include:

• Brunnera macrophylla (heartleaf brunnera)
• Astilbe
• Tiarella (foamflower)
• Ligularia (leopard plant)
• Monkshood (aconitum)
• Bleeding heart (dicentra)
• Solomon's seal (polygonatum)
• Epimedium (barrenwort)

When choosing companion plants for hostas, it's important to consider the size, color, and texture of the plants. You want to choose plants that will complement each other, and that will create a balanced and harmonious look in your garden.

Hostas are a popular choice for shady gardens, and for good reason. They come in a wide variety of colors, sizes, and shapes, and they're relatively easy to care for. But if you want to create a truly stunning hosta garden, you'll need to choose the right companion plants.

There are many different plants that can be paired with hostas, but some of the best include:

• Ferns: Ferns add a touch of elegance to any garden, and they complement the bold foliage of hostas perfectly.
• Coral bells: Coral bells come in a variety of colors, and their delicate flowers add a pop of color to the garden.
• Hakonechloa: Hakonechloa is a type of grass that has a cascading habit, making it a great choice for adding movement to the garden.
• Lungwort: Lungwort has attractive heart-shaped leaves that are mottled with white or yellow, and it blooms in the spring with blue or pink flowers.

If you're looking for more inspiration, be sure to visit Gardenia Inspiration. This website has a comprehensive list of plants that can be paired with hostas, as well as tips on how to create a beautiful and harmonious garden.

FAQ of plants to pair with hostas

Q: What are the best plants to pair with hostas?

A: There are many great plants that can be paired with hostas, but some of the most popular include:

• Astilbe: Astilbes are shade-loving perennials that add a touch of elegance to any garden. They come in a variety of colors, including white, pink, purple, and red.
• Brunnera: Brunneras are known for their beautiful blue flowers and heart-shaped leaves. They are also shade-tolerant, making them a good choice for planting near hostas.
• Coral bells: Coral bells are another popular shade-loving perennial. They come in a variety of colors, including red, pink, white, and purple.
• Lamium: Lamiums are known for their colorful flowers and attractive foliage. They are also deer-resistant, making them a good choice for gardens that are prone to deer damage.
• Sedums: Sedums are succulent plants that come in a variety of colors, including green, yellow, orange, and red. They are drought-tolerant and low-maintenance, making them a good choice for gardens that are not watered frequently.

Q: What are the benefits of pairing hostas with other plants?

A: There are several benefits to pairing hostas with other plants. For example, other plants can help to:

• Fill in empty spaces: Hostas can be large plants, so they can sometimes leave empty spaces in a garden. Other plants can help to fill in these spaces and create a more balanced look.
• Add contrast: Hostas come in a variety of colors, so other plants can be used to add contrast to a garden. For example, a white hosta could be paired with a dark green plant to create a striking contrast.
• Attract pollinators: Some plants, such as bee balm and coneflower, attract pollinators. These plants can be paired with hostas to help to attract bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects to the garden.

Q: What are some tips for pairing hostas with other plants?

A: When pairing hostas with other plants, there are a few things to keep in mind:

• Consider the size of the plants: Hostas come in a variety of sizes, so it is important to choose other plants that will be compatible in terms of size. For example, a large hosta would not look good paired with a small plant.
• Consider the color of the plants: Hostas come in a variety of colors, so it is important to choose other plants that will complement the colors of the hostas. For example, a white hosta would look good paired with a blue plant.
• Consider the light requirements of the plants: Hostas are shade-loving plants, so it is important to choose other plants that have similar light requirements. For example, a hosta would not look good paired with a sun-loving plant.

Q: How many hostas should I plant together?

A: The number of hostas that you plant together will depend on the size of the plants and the size of the space that you have available. However, as a general rule of thumb, you should plant 3 to 5 hostas together for a more visually appealing effect.

Q: Where can I find more information about plants to pair with hostas?

A: There are many resources available online and in libraries that can provide more information about plants to pair with hostas. Some of these resources include:

• The American Hosta Society: This website has a wealth of information about hostas, including a list of recommended companion plants.
• The Royal Horticultural Society: This website has a plant finder tool that can help you to find plants that are compatible with hostas.
• Your local nursery: Your local nursery staff can also provide you with recommendations for plants to pair with hostas.

Image of plants to pair with hostas

• Astilbe: Astilbe is a shade-loving perennial that blooms in summer with delicate, feathery flowers. It comes in a variety of colors, including white, pink, red, and purple.
• Brunnera: Brunnera is a hardy perennial that blooms in spring with blue or white flowers. It has large, heart-shaped leaves that provide a lush backdrop for hostas.
• Coral bells: Coral bells, also known as heuchera, are a versatile perennial that can be used in a variety of settings. They come in a variety of colors, including red, pink, orange, and yellow.
• Lily of the valley: Lily of the valley is a delicate spring-blooming perennial that is perfect for shady areas. It has small, white flowers that hang in clusters from arching stems.
• Virginia bluebells: Virginia bluebells are a native North American wildflower that blooms in spring with clusters of blue flowers. They are a great choice for adding a touch of color to shady areas.