Plants That Will Make Your Hostas Look

Hostas are one of the most popular shade-loving perennials, and for good reason. They come in a wide variety of colors, sizes, and shapes, and they can add a touch of elegance to any garden. But if you want your hostas to look their best, you need to plant them with the right companions.

Here are some of the best plants to pair with hostas:

• Ferns: Ferns are a classic companion for hostas, and for good reason. They have a similar growing habit, and they both thrive in shade. Some of the best ferns to pair with hostas include maidenhair fern, ostrich fern, and hart's-tongue fern.
• Brunnera: Brunnera is another great choice for companion plants for hostas. It has large, blue-green leaves that look stunning against the hostas' foliage. Brunnera also blooms in the spring with pretty blue flowers.
• Astilbes: Astilbes are tall, airy plants that add a touch of drama to a shade garden. They come in a variety of colors, including pink, white, and red. Astilbes bloom in the summer, and they provide a welcome splash of color after the hostas have finished blooming.
• Dicentra: Dicentra, also known as bleeding heart, is a delicate-looking plant with heart-shaped flowers. It blooms in the spring, and it's a great way to add a touch of romance to your garden.
• Heuchera: Heuchera, also known as coral bells, is a colorful plant with bell-shaped flowers. It comes in a variety of colors, including red, orange, yellow, and pink. Heuchera blooms in the spring and summer, and it's a great way to add some brightness to your shade garden.
• Geraniums: Geraniums are a popular annual that can add a touch of color to any garden. They come in a variety of colors, including red, pink, white, and purple. Geraniums bloom in the summer, and they're a great way to fill in empty spaces in your shade garden.

These are just a few of the many plants that can be paired with hostas. When choosing companion plants, it's important to consider the size, color, and shape of the plants. You also want to make sure that the plants have similar growing requirements.

With a little planning, you can create a beautiful shade garden that features stunning hostas and their complementary companions.

Hostas are a popular choice for shade gardens, 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 shade garden, you'll need to choose the right companion plants.

Some of the best plants to compliment hostas include:

• Ferns: Ferns add a touch of elegance to any shade garden, and they play nicely off the bold foliage of hostas.
• Coral bells: Coral bells come in a variety of colors, and their delicate flowers add a touch of brightness to the garden.
• Brunnera: Brunnera has heart-shaped leaves that are a beautiful blue-green color. It's a great choice for adding some contrast to your shade garden.
• Heuchera: Heuchera, also known as coral bells, is another great choice for adding some color to your shade garden. Its leaves come in a variety of colors, including red, orange, yellow, and pink.

If you're looking for more inspiration, I recommend visiting Gardenia Inspiration. This website has a comprehensive list of plants that compliment hostas, as well as tips on how to create a stunning shade garden.

FAQ of plants that compliment hostas

Q: What are some good plants to compliment hostas?

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

• Astilbe: Astilbe is a tall, airy plant with delicate flowers that bloom in shades of pink, purple, and white. It's a great choice for adding height and interest to a hosta bed.
• Begonia: Begonias come in a wide variety of colors and sizes, so you can find one that perfectly complements your hostas. They're also relatively easy to care for, making them a good choice for beginner gardeners.
• Cranesbill: Cranesbill is a low-growing plant with colorful flowers that bloom in the spring and summer. It's a good choice for filling in the spaces between hostas and adding a splash of color.
• Daylily: Daylilies are a popular choice for many gardens because they're easy to care for and bloom for a long period of time. They come in a variety of colors, so you can find one that perfectly matches your hostas.
• Lavender: Lavender is a fragrant, drought-tolerant plant that can add a touch of elegance to any garden. It's a good choice for growing in containers or near the edges of a hosta bed.

Q: What are some things to consider when choosing plants to compliment hostas?

A: When choosing plants to compliment hostas, there are a few things to keep in mind:

• Sunlight: Hostas prefer partial shade, so you'll want to choose plants that also tolerate shade.
• Water needs: Hostas need regular watering, so you'll want to choose plants that have similar water needs.
• Color: Hostas come in a wide variety of colors, so you can choose plants that complement their color or create a contrast.
• Height: Hostas come in a variety of heights, so you'll want to choose plants that will fill in the spaces between them or add height to your garden.

Q: How do I plant hostas with other plants?

A: When planting hostas with other plants, it's important to consider the size and growth habits of both plants. You'll want to make sure that the plants don't compete for space or sunlight.

Here are some tips for planting hostas with other plants:

• Plant taller plants in the back of the bed and shorter plants in the front.
• Plant plants with similar water needs together.
• Plant plants with different bloom times together so that your garden will be in bloom all season long.

Q: How do I care for hostas with other plants?

A: Hostas are relatively easy to care for, but there are a few things you can do to help them thrive:

• Water them regularly, especially during hot, dry weather.
• Mulch around them to help retain moisture and suppress weeds.
• Divide them every few years to keep them healthy and vigorous.
• Protect them from slugs and snails.

Q: What are some common problems with hostas?

A: Hostas are generally pest- and disease-resistant, but there are a few problems that can occur:

• Slugs and snails: Slugs and snails can be a problem for hostas, especially in moist, shady areas. You can control them with traps, baits, or hand-picking.
• Leaf spot: Leaf spot is a fungal disease that can cause brown or yellow spots on the leaves of hostas. You can treat it with a fungicide.
• Viruses: There are a few viruses that can infect hostas, but they are rare. If you suspect that your hostas have a virus, it's best to remove them from your garden.

Image of plants that compliment hostas

• Astilbe: Astilbe is a shade-loving perennial that blooms in late spring and early summer with airy plumes of pink, white, or purple flowers. It's a great companion for hostas because it has similar light and moisture requirements.
• Bergenia: Bergenia is a hardy perennial that blooms in early spring with pink, white, or red flowers. It has large, glossy leaves that provide year-round interest. Bergenia is a good companion for hostas because it can tolerate some shade and is drought-tolerant.
• Cranesbill (Geranium): Cranesbill is a versatile perennial that comes in a variety of colors, including pink, white, red, and purple. It blooms in late spring and early summer and has a long flowering period. Cranesbill is a good companion for hostas because it can tolerate some shade and is deer-resistant.
• Daylily: Daylilies are a popular choice for shade gardens because they bloom for a long period of time, from early summer to fall. They come in a variety of colors, including yellow, orange, red, pink, and white. Daylilies are a good companion for hostas because they have similar light and moisture requirements.
• Torenia (Wishbone Flower): Torenia is a colorful annual that blooms in shades of blue, purple, pink, and white. It's a good choice for shady spots because it doesn't require full sun. Torenia is a good companion for hostas because it's low-maintenance and attracts butterflies.