This post may contain affiliate links.
With their mass of showy blooms in vibrant colors, hydrangeas are a popular choice in many gardens. If you’re a fan of hydrangeas and looking to expand your floral horizons, we’ve got a treat for you! Let’s take a look at some of the best plants and shrubs to grow alongside or instead of hydrangeas:
1. Peonies
Peonies are remarkably similar to hydrangeas, with large, fragrant blooms and lush, full petals in colors ranging from soft pastels to vibrant hues. They have a strong, sweet scent and a romantic appearance that adds a touch of elegance to any garden.
Peonies grow best in well-drained soil and full sun to partial shade. They are perennial plants that can live for decades and become more robust and beautiful as they mature.
These 21 Pretty Pink Plants Are Everything Your Garden Has Been Missing
2. Roses
Roses are timeless favorites, renowned for their classic beauty and wide range of colors and forms. Their layered petals and rich fragrance make them popular for bouquets and garden displays.
Depending on the variety, roses can be grown alongside hydrangeas as bushes, climbers, or ground cover. They thrive in full sun and require regular pruning and care to maintain their health and bloom production.
18 Flowers You’ll Adore If You Love Roses
3. Lilacs
Lilacs produce stunning clusters of fragrant blooms, ranging from soft lavender to deep purple. They prefer well-drained soil and full sun, are relatively low-maintenance, and are tolerant of cold winters and frost.
15 Pretty Purple Annuals To Add a Touch of Drama to Your Garden
4. Camellias
Camellias are like the winter versions of hydrangeas, producing elegant blooms during the colder months when many other flowering plants are dormant. Camelia flowers come in shades of white, pink, and red and can be single or double-petaled. These evergreen shrubs provide year-round interest in ornamental gardens and grow best in acidic, well-drained soil in partial shade.
5. Gardenias
Gardenias produce creamy white, fragrant blooms that exude a sweet, floral aroma from late spring into summer. Their glossy, dark green foliage provides a beautiful contrast to the flowers. These evergreen shrubs can add elegance and a delightful fragrance to any garden and grow best in well-drained, acidic soil.
6. Chrysanthemums
Chrysanthemums, or mums, are popular for their diverse range of colors and flowers, including sweet daisy-like and classic pom-pom blooms. They flower in the fall, providing vibrant color in the garden when many other plants are winding down. Chrysanthemums can be grown as annuals or perennials and thrive in full sun and well-drained soil.
These 12 Fall Blooming Perennials Will Be Everywhere This Season
7. Azaleas
With vibrant, showy blooms in rich colors and a bushy growth habit, azaleas are a great choice for any hydrangea fan. These evergreen shrubs thrive in partial shade, making them ideal for woodland gardens.
8. Ranunculus
The brightly colored petals of ranunculus flowers are so delicate that they can be mistaken for paper flowers! Smaller in size than hydrangeas, ranunculus is a good option for regions with mild winters and cool spring temperatures.
9. Lisianthus
Lisianthus is a true showstopper, with elegant, rose-like blooms with soft, ruffled petals that come in shades of white, pink, and purple. This low-maintenance herbaceous plant is prized for its long-lasting flowers and is often grown for cut flower arrangements.
10. Clematis
Clematis are climbing plants with large, showy flowers in various colors and forms, including single and double blooms. They add vertical interest to gardens and quickly cover trellises, arbors, or fences. Clematis prefer well-drained soil and full sun to partial shade; many varieties will bloom from spring to fall.
11. Dahlias
Dahlias produce bold, multi-petaled flowers that come in nearly every color of the rainbow. They provide a dramatic and colorful display in gardens and floral arrangements and are the perfect partner for hydrangeas. Dahlias grow best in full sun and are typically grown as annuals, though they can be overwintered in warmer climates.
12. Magnolias
Magnolias are an unmistakable sight, with huge, fragrant flowers in shades of white, pink, and purple atop a mass of glossy green leaves. These large shrubs take several years to reach maturity but are well worth it for their striking presence.
13. Lupines
If you’re a fan of bold colors, lupines are a great choice. Producing tall spikes of colorful flowers in shades of blue, pink, and purple, these hardy perennials will add vertical interest and a splash of bright color to garden beds.
14. Sweet Peas
Sweet peas are a cottage garden favorite, beloved for their delightful fragrance and abundance of soft, pastel-colored blooms. Their climbing and trailing habit adds a charming touch to trellises or hanging baskets, providing endless bunches of cut flowers to adorn your home.
15. Zinnias
Finding annual plants that can match the splendor of hydrangeas is a challenge, but zinnias will give them a run for their money! Zinnias grow quickly from seed and produce large, long-lasting blooms in shades of red, orange, pink, and yellow after just a few months.
16 Fast Growing Annuals to Quickly Color Your Garden
16. Freesias
Like hydrangeas, freesias come in a range of colors, including white, yellow, pink, and even multicolored cultivars. They are normally grown as annuals or in containers and prefer well-drained soil and full sun or partial shade
17. Hellebores
Did you know that hellebores will bloom even when it is snowing? These stunning early-blooming flowers come in various colors, including white, pink, and purple. Their evergreen foliage and pretty nodding flowers are perfect for adding color and interest when many other plants are still dormant.
18. Asters
Asters produce an abundance of large daisy-like blooms in vibrant colors such as pink, purple, and white. These hardy perennials provide a burst of color in the fall garden, and the long-lasting blooms attract pollinators like bees and butterflies.
19. Scabiosa
Scabiosa, also known as pincushion flowers, produce distinctive tufted blooms in shades of purple, pink, and white. These delightful flowers have a charming, whimsical appearance, attracting butterflies to the garden.
17 Colorful Plants to Grow for Fresh Flower Arrangements
For those looking to have a continuous supply of fresh flowers for stunning arrangements, consider planting these 24 colorful varieties. They will thrive in your garden and, in some cases, provide beautiful blooms year after year.
17 Colorful Plants to Grow for Fresh Flower Arrangements
20 Best Climbing Plants for Your Fences, Trellises and Pergolas
Climbing plants can dramatically transform your garden into an eye-catching feature, offering a unique way of ascending the structures they encounter. Here are the 15 best climbing plants to consider for your garden.
20 Best Climbing Plants for Your Fences, Trellises and Pergolas
19 Stunning Red Flowers to Add Bold Color to Your Garden
Adding red flowers to your garden introduces vibrant pops of color, creating a warm and lively atmosphere. Here’s a list of 19 varieties to brighten your garden, bringing in the perfect touch of spring and summer cheer.
19 Stunning Red Flowers to Add Bold Color to Your Garden
Kate Chalmers
Kate is a passionate gardener who has a keen interest in all things related to homesteading and sustainability. She resides in Portugal with her husband and menagerie of animals and has over 15 years of experience in the UK veterinary industry. In 2020, Kate and her husband took on a dilapidated Portuguese house and abandoned olive grove, turning it into an abundant food forest and home for nature.
Life on the homestead is never the same from one day to the next, and Kate has mastered many skills that she is keen to pass on to anyone with an interest in becoming more self-sufficient. Kate believes that living a sustainable lifestyle is the key to happiness and fulfillment and that everyone can make simple changes that connect us back to nature and reduce our impact on the planet.
