If you have a garden with plenty of shady areas, you no doubt have Hostas somewhere. If not, why not? Hostas are fantastic, reliable perennials, with impressive foliage that thrive in shade gardens. There are thousands to choose from, with different colours, shapes and sizes.
Why not pair them up with other shade loving plants that love the same conditions.
What is Companion Planting?
Traditionally, companion planting was practiced on crop plants to improve yield by assisting growth and development.
The idea is that different plant species are planted next to one another in the same soil, in such a way they provide mutual benefits.
There are a huge number of benefits that can be derived from companion planting including increased pollination, pest control or even improved aesthetics.
Additionally, this practice reduces the need to use harsh, artificial chemicals on your plants and instead relies on the natural advantages provided by the plants.
Companion planting has been practiced for thousands of years and is still commonly implemented today. Although originally used in agriculture, this practice has been adopted by many gardeners to benefit their ornamental plant species, such as Hostas.
What are the Benefits of Companion Planting?
We know that Hostas are notoriously hardy and easy to care for, you may then be wondering why you should invest in growing other species alongside them.
Companion planting can provide a number of benefits to your Hostas.
Here are some of the main advantages....
Improves Biodiversity: Unlike monoculture when the same species of plant is grown in an area, companion planting is a form of polyculture. Having a large variety of plants will attract lots of different wildlife, many of which will be beneficial such as pollinators.
Increases Pollination: Pollinators are responsible for pollinating around 90% of our crop plants, highlighting their importance. Brightly coloured and highly scented flowers are most attractive to pollinators such as bees, butterflies, and birds.
Pest Control: Instead of using artificial pesticides, a lot of plant species naturally repel pests. These tend to be species that give off strong aromas or produce specific chemical compounds that deter insect pests.
Other plants attract predatory insects that prey on insect pests, helping to keep the population down. This is known as biological pest control.
Aesthetic Appeal: Mixed plant gardens are generally more attractive than a monoculture. Incorporating different plants into your display will create an array of different colours, shapes, and textures.
You can grow species that complement or contrast each other and make your garden visually interesting.
Considerations When Selecting Companion Plants
Before you go out and purchase any companion plants for your Hostas, there are a few things you need to know. Not every plant will make a great companion for your Hosta.
In terms of aesthetics, consider what sort of look you are trying to create in your Hosta garden. Do you want to follow a certain colour scheme? Hostas have wonderful lavender or white flowers that pop in most gardens.
Do you wish to focus on creating an interesting textural display or would you rather colourful flowers be the focal point? Some plants may look beautiful when paired together and others less so.
Moreover, you should consider the characteristics of the plants. Plants that grow large and quickly may become invasive and engulf species that are small and slow growing.
Likewise, if you pair heavy feeders together, they will start competing for water and nutrients.
Think about if your plants require the same environmental conditions. A plant that needs a hot and arid climate to grow should not be paired with one that only grows in cool and wet areas.
Similarly, a plant that thrives in acidic soil will not grow well next to one which needs alkaline soil.
If your garden is predominantly shady, a sun-loving plant will suffer if grown there.
If you combine plants that are vulnerable to the same pests and diseases, you increase the likelihood of an outbreak as they can be easily transferred among the plants.
Hostas thrive when surrounded by complementary companion plants that provide aesthetic appeal and practical benefits.
Why not opt for good companions like azaleas, ferns, coral bells, and chives, while avoiding sun-loving plants, shallow-rooted trees, and slug-attracting species to ensure the best growth and health for your Hostas? These companion plants share similar growing conditions and provide contrasting foliage colours, textures, and blooms, making them perfect companions for Hostas.
Here are Suggestions for Some of the Best Hosta Companion Plants to Grow
Ferns make excellent companion plants for Hostas! Here’s why
Foliage Harmony: When planted together, Ferns and Hostas create a lush, textured display. The delicate fronds of ferns add a lovely touch to the broad Hosta leaves.
Shade Tolerance: Both ferns and Hostas prefer shaded environments, making them compatible companions in your garden
Ferns grow best in moist soil with a neutral to moderately acidic pH. Partial to full shade is best. There is a selection of evergreen, deciduous and semi-evergreen Ferns. Great plant companions.
Coral bells, or Heucheras, are easy to grow and blend easily with most other perennials in the landscape. Because of their low, mounding habit, they are often used as edging along paths or in containers.
Tiarellas can be grown in containers and in the landscape anywhere that dappled to full shade can be provided. They pair beautifully with Hostas and Ferns. Tiarellas enjoy popularity thanks to their shade tolerance, unusual leaf shape, dramatically marked foliage, repeat flowering, and light fragrance.
Heucherella is a hybrid genus produced from a cross between Heuchera and Tiarella. From Heuchera they gain the many different foliage colours and textures, while Tiarella add deeper leaf lobes and serration, as well as their signature central leaf blotching. Heucherella are sterile hybrids, and so typically have longer bloom seasons than either of their parents.
Hakonechloa is a grass, grown mainly for its beautiful foliage, though it does produce seed heads. Tiny, inconspicuous reddish brown flower spiklets appear in airy clusters from late summer through to early autumn.
Alchemilla mollis is a clump-forming perennial that spreads slowly by seed & creeping rhizomes. It can be used as a groundcover, edging, or filler plant in the border. If it's happy where it's planted, this plant will reseed. Can be a bit of a thug though.
Additionally, you can consider spring bulb additions like snowdrops, daffodils, and hyacinths, as well as perennial plants such as astilbe, bleeding hearts, lungwort, and Japanese painted ferns to enhance your Hosta garden.
Bad Companions For Hosta Plants
Although Hostas are easy to care for and are hardy to most conditions, there are still a few plants you should avoid growing alongside them. Some plants that make bad companions for Hostas are:-
Plants that Attract Slugs and Snails: Hosta leaves are delicious to slugs and snails and they are often under attack.
Avoid growing slug and snail-attracting plants near your Hostas to minimize the chances of their leaves getting eaten.
Shallow Rooted Trees and Shrubs: Hostas themselves have shallow root systems. Growing them under plants with shallow and aggressive roots will put them in competition for nutrients and water.
Sun-Loving Plants: Hostas thrive in shady conditions. If they are placed in an area where a plant requires direct sunlight, your Hosta is likely to get scorched and die.
To Sum Up
There are many shade loving plants that make good Hosta companions. Choosing the right ones to plant next to your Hostas can really brighten up your garden.
Make sure to find plants like Hostas, that prefer shade, instead of the scorching hot sun, because this will ensure your plants thrive and stay healthy.
With Hostas in your garden, you’ll enjoy beautiful shade plants and create an oasis of colour and contrast.
To learn more about Hostas, you may interested in reading : AI Generated Hosta Photographs, Watering and Feeding Your Hostas, What Are the Common Mistakes to Avoid When Growing Hostas?, Ways to Protect Your Hostas from Slugs and Snails and "Uncovering the Advantages of Bare Root Hostas:
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