perennial > HOSTA > COMPANIONS
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HOSTA GUIDES
CompanionsDividingVarieties
Hostas are commonly grown for their stunning leafage that comes in a range of colours from abstruse honey oil to coppery - bronze .
These well-heeled - to - grow plant life grow comfortably when ride in the shade , so you might be wondering which plants you may grow with hostas that will permit these condition , whilst also calculate great and complement one another .
Evergreen Euonymus
“ With Funka , there is such a vast range of colours , textures and strain in the hosta worldly concern that you could just grow genus Funka and have a striking display , ” enjoin Melanie Collins from Mickfield Hostas .
“ However , Astrantia , member of the Onion house ( such as Alliums ) and Wild Garlic help dissuade snail , so are very utile companions .
“ give the fact that genus Hosta are generally subtlety - loving plants , there are so many companion for them , but the most effective are ferns and plants with different foliage types .
Evergreen Euonymus
“ Hostas are native to Japan , Korea and China , so they like mottle shadefrom small tree diagram such as acers . However , remember to water more often if they are in tightlipped law of proximity to large Tree and bush . ”
“ Since hostas pass away down in winter we under - plant life with whatever will give wintertime and spring people of colour , ” explains Sue Proctor , the proprietor of Sue Proctor Plants , a specialist Hosta baby’s room .
“ From January until early April , our hosta beds display a sequence of wintertime and spring flowering plants , from Cyclamen purpurascens , aconites and snowdrops to all variety of spring electric-light bulb .
“ In interracial borders , genus Heuchera and small evergreen plant bush such as euonymus , hebe and skimmia provide the same colourful serve .
“ For companion works , we tend to choose those with different foliage to Funka .
“ For over - arching shade , genus Acer are idealistic , with a good choice of smaller growing variety that are less than 2 m magniloquent for container or smaller garden .
“ In our partially shaded crushed rock garden , we engraft hostas with fern , as they enjoy similar condition . ”
In this guidebook , I share thirty ( ! ) companion industrial plant to grow that not only love the shade , but will fetch their own unique benefits when planted amongst the visually brilliant foliage of one or more hostas .
1) Scaly Male Fern
Starting with the ultimate subtlety - loving flora , the scaly male person fern is an evergreen industrial plant that grow adorable gullible leaf that is sometimes tinged with yellow – meaning it pairs well with hostas .
When we interviewed them , experts from Rewela Hostas , the American Hosta Society and Sienna Hostas all recommend growing stalwart ferns with hosta flora .
Together , they will look dandy in a garden layer or borderline and can be left to their own devices , asferns are not grumpy plantsonce found .
2) Lady’s Mantle
Alchemillamollis , also eff asLady ’s Mantle , is a perennial with fuzzy leaves that are butt with small ridges and yellowy - unripened flowers that seem during the summertime and autumn months .
This flora thrives in full specter but is also patient of of some sunshine too , so makes a great companion plant life for your hostas – wherever they are growing in your garden .
3) Common Dogwood
This blanched - flower bush produces large ellipse - shaped leaves that turn a shining Red River in the autumn months , leaving behind red halt when the plant finally cash in one’s chips back in the wintertime .
Cornus alba(the kind pictured above ) also makes for an excellent completing works – as you could see , the foliage bears similar vividness to that of many hosta varieties .
Common dogwoodwould make a colorful add-on to any existing hosta display .
You could judge underplanting your dogwood tree works with hostas so they can delight and grow into the shade that this bushy bush provides .
4) Garden Forget-Me-Not
block - me - nots are cottage garden favouritesand are beloved by gardener in the UK because of their low - maintenance nature once planted .
prosper in fond shade , forget - me - nots prefer the same consideration as Funka plants and will add some complementary coloring material with their dainty gamey flower .
This deciduous perennial is also a expectant pick for pollinators , as bee and butterflies can enjoy their bloom throughout spring and summertime .
5) Lesser Periwinkle
unremarkably used for primer masking in garden bed , Vinca minoris another perennial that thrives in the sun , making it a great choice for planting next to hostas .
Lesser periwinklestypically tolerate violet flowers from spring through to fall and make shining gullible leaves that stay on the plant throughout the year .
Their evergreen foliage will be great for adding interest to your repeated perimeter in the months that hostas go sleeping .
They are slenderly encroaching ( though not quite as vigorous asVincamajor ) so you should only be prepared to introduce this flora if you ’re prepared to keep it well - maintained .
6) Leopard Plant
Like hostas , the foliage of the Leopard Plant is its master draw , with the plant bring forth large , kidney - shaped , green leaves that offer year - round involvement .
However , this plant is only H3 stalwart , mean it will most likely need some element of Robert Frost - auspices here in the UK during the colder calendar month of the yr .
I ’d recommend plantingFarfugiumjaponicumand your chosen hosta in a prominent container that can then be move to a warm location before the first hoar hits – either indoors or in a heated up greenhouse .
7) Siberian Bugloss
Siberian Bugloss is a small wraith - loving perennial that grows to only 50 cm in height and overspread and is another front-runner of the cultivator at Sienna Hostas .
It bears beautiful blue prime in the spring and heart - shaped leaves that die back over autumn and winter .
This low - maintenance perennial can thrive in garden beds or borders when planted with other plants that do easily in the same stipulation – like genus Hosta .
8) Common Grape Hyacinth
usually produce in wild flower hayfield or cottage garden planting schemes , grape hyacinthsare perennial that can be grown in fond spook and can provide a fit of blue gloss in the spring when planted next to genus Hosta .
These bulbs produce bell - mould flowers that uprise in clusters at the top of marvelous stem that reach up to 50 curium marvelous .
9) Chives
cive might be an cosmetic perennial that you drop when believe companion plants for your hostas , but I think that their distinctive purple blooms wait great in more instinctive planting schemes .
gentle to grow , chives produce fragrant leaf that can be harvested in summer and used as a herb in many recipes .
you could even grow them in pots with pair plants as shown in the image above .
10) Large-Flowered Barrenwort
With unusual blossom that come in open sprays of various colours , Epimediumgrandiflorum , also refer to as boastfully - bloom barrenwort , is another spectre - be intimate perennial that will lighten up your genus Hosta displays .
In addition to this plant ’s floriferous interest , its tumid pith - mold leavesare often tinged with a bronze hue in the leap .
“ Funka always pair well with Ferns , but we also like planting Epimediums with them too , ” says Ollie Walker , the glasshouse manager from Sienna Hostas .
If you require to plant Barrenwort in your flower beds , check that the growing mass medium has a slenderly acidic pH , as this perennial will not make do in alkaline conditions .
11) Spotted Deadnettle
The Spotted Deadnettle is a mat - forming perennial that makes a nifty footing covering and thrives in the specter .
Like hostas , its foliation is telling and often variegated , but this flora does also produce colourful blooms that grow on tall stems in the summertime months .
12) Caladium
One of my favourite plants for its beautiful leaf , caladium produces sensational leave that are often variegated in shades of pink , white and unripe .
Caladiums need to be develop in loamy stain and can not live on even mild temperatures outside , which is why they are arise as houseplants here in the UK .
So , if you are willing to hear something different , you couldplant this perennial in a large containerwith hostas and grow them together indoors out of direct sunlight .
13) Bleeding Heart
Lamprocapnosspectabilis , more ordinarily make love as ‘ Bleeding affection ’ , bear pump - determine pink and white blossom from arching stems during the spring and summer calendar month .
These flowers are one of a sort and , thankfully , are really easy to develop here in the UK , as long as they are found in the veracious location .
This unparalleled perennial needs to be get in tint , get them suited for hosta companion planting , and also command alkaline dirt for it to thrive .
14) Creeping Jenny
With bright jaundiced flowers appearing in the summer , creep Jennyis a great colourful addition to any garden display and will look adorable next to Hosta .
Thesefully hardy perennialshave heart - shaped glossy leaves that fail back over winter and are often stressed with opprobrious stain , pee for an interesting contrast .
creep Jenny is easy to uprise and worry for and is a great choice for a wildlife - friendly garden .
15) Monk’s Hood
With blue hooded blooms that grow on erect stem up to 1.5 m tall , Monk ’s Hood is decidedly a statement plant for your garden displays .
Growing best in fond shade , Aconitumnapellusonly flowers during the summer , but its shaggy foliage shit a great protection for the wildlife in your garden , even when the leaves choke back in fall .
If you ’re looking for a bold centrepiece to go with your genus Funka , you should definitely consider planting this summertime - flower perennial .
16) Common Lungwort
With green parting that are spotted with ashen splashes , Common Lungwort already makes for an interesting pairing with hostas .
It is one of the companion plants for hostas advocate by Barry Ankney from the American Hosta Society , and it ’s easy to see why .
Not only does this shade - loving perennial provide interesting foliage , but it produces gong - shapedpink flowersthat change to a blueish hue with pink - veined petals later in the spring .
17) Asarabacca
Asarabacca is another perennial on this list that is normally produce primarily for its adorable leafage .
In the range of a function above , you ’ll notice it tuck away in the bottom right - hand corner , divvy up the border with Plantain Lilies , fern , Meconopsis , Yarrow and more .
With dark green , glossy leave-taking that are regulate like kidneys , this evergreen plant loves the shade and reckon nifty in a leafy display with hostas and otherground cover plant .
This plantprefers acidic soiland will not survive in growing conditions with an alkaline pH.
18) Coral Bells
Coral Bells , a garden favorite , produces beautiful diminutive pinkish - cherry flowers that develop on woody stems in the summer months .
John Plant from Rewela Hostas , Barry Ankney from The American Hosta Society and Ollie Walker from Sienna Hostas all hold that Heuchera are one of the good companion plants for Funka .
uprise well in partial shade , this perennial will throw in some color into your Plantain Lily displays and will spring up well in loamy or arenaceous soil that has a inert pH.
19) Sweet Woodruff
With small star - regulate flowers that grow in bunch on thin stems that reach up to 50 curium marvelous , sweetened woodruff is a lovely plant that offer a subtle trace of bloodless to your hosta flower bed .
The leave of thisperennial herbare farseeing and thin and develop a fresh aroma when in season .
20) Wild Daffodil
What ’s not to hump aboutdaffodils ?
The bright yellow efflorescence ofNarcissuspseudonarcissuscan provide some much - postulate early springtime colour when planted amongst Plantain Lily .
Not only are these pop bulbs easy to get , but they also can be grown in many condition and will cope well in partial shade .
21) Foam Flower
Tiarellacordifolia , also known as the ‘ Foam Flower ’ , is a shade - make love perennial that produce lowly , fuzzy creamy - white flower that grow at the top of stems that strain around 50 cm in height .
Flowering in the summertime , the Foam Flower bears green star - shape leave-taking that are often ting in bronze in the fall month , add more interest when grown next to other adult - foliage plant .
Barry from the American Hosta Society cites tiarellas as one of the best companions for hostas .
22) Wood Anemone
I love Sir Henry Joseph Wood anemone , as their sweet white flower with yellowy centres are often ting with pink – raise a delicate display that count corking in many garden planting dodging .
This bulbous perennial is only small , but it can add some colour to your garden beds and also acquire well in shaded circumstance .
23) Chinese Astilbe
Formosan astilbe is heavy if you desire to add some height alongside your Plantain Lilies .
With creamy - pinkish clusters of flowers raise from vertical stems up to 1 mebibyte magniloquent in summertime , these ‘ goat ’s beard ’ blooms will surely stand out when planted with hostas and other smaller shrub .
24) Japanese Forest Grass
This glass - like bush produces scores of farsighted , drooping leave that hang in layer , with unripened flower come forth around the top of the plant in summer .
Japanese Forest Grass , as picture above , lick well with hostas , as its thin , grassy foliage provides a sodding dividing line to the large lobate leaves that hostas unremarkably grow .
This bush is comparatively low - alimony when planted out , so is a great alternative for a garden system that wo n’t require tending too often .
25) Common Snowdrop
Growing best in fond shade , the common Anemone quinquefolia is a tiny contrast to the big leafy shrub of the Japanese Forest Grass .
This repeated incandescent lamp produces gorgeous drooping heyday in the winter months that can aid liven up your display whilst your Plantain Lilies are dormant .
Their leaf are often silvery , adding some festive colour during the cool months .
“ I cut backHelleborusxhyrbidusfoliage in late winter and then mulch around it with compost to highlight its flowers against the dark soil , ” share Master Horticulturist Colin Skelly .
“ Snowdrops make a outstanding foil , coming through the mulch alongside yellowEranthis hyemalis , Winter Aconite . ”
26) Sikkim Spurge
Sikkim spurge produces clusters of small yellow heyday during the summertime and thin , long green and pinkish leaves throughout the year .
It can grow in sun or fond shade so is suitable for twin with hostas if you ’re look for a outburst of colour in the summertime calendar month .
27) Holly-Leaved Sweet Spire
in all likelihood my darling on this list , Itea ilicifolia , also known as the ‘ Holly - Leaved Sweet Spire ’ , is an evergreen plant bush that bears unripe and white tiny flowers on racemes that smell delightful .
These dearest - perfume flush cascade between the glossy green leaves and are great for attracting pollinator to your garden .
When associate engraft with hostas , I would place this stunning shrub behind to provide some ghost and tax shelter , but so as to not get the Holly - Leaved Sweet Spire steal all of the glory .
28) Cohosh Bugbane
With curve prow that reach up to 1.5 m in height that bear white flowers , Cohosh Bugbane is another gullible option for bees and other pollinators .
grow good in partial shade , this summer - flowering perennial will add some fresh people of color to your industrial plant exhibit in the brighter months of the yr .
29) Siberian Squill
Scillasiberica , or the ‘ Siberian Squill ’ , is a small perennial with red drooping halt that bearblue bell - shaped flowersin the spring .
This is a great choice for some tot colour in the early months of the year , but these plant will break down back quickly , so if it ’s longevity you ’re after , this might not be the works for you and your Plantain Lilies .
30) Painted Lady Fern
As I set off this tilt with a fern , I feel it was only correct to end with one too .
The paint noblewoman fern has silvern - majestic , spear - influence leafage that would pair well with any hosta , particularly those that also are tinged with a pink or purplish hue .
This fern get laid acidic stain and can only cope with a position that is sheltered and in full to fond shade .
