What to plant with Hydrangeas?

I am preparing a raised bed in a part sun/light shady spot (shade from tall pines, not too dense) that I'm going to plant a couple of Cardinal Red Hydrangeas in (1 gal.) - the bed won't be too large, probably 15-20 sq. ft. My native soil is solid black gumbo, pH 6.0, and I'd like to keep the Hyd.'s red (soil = basic). I'm wondering what would look good to plant in the same bed with these guys without detracting from them... any suggestions?

First off, I am terrible with color schemes (always have to ask my DW for help due to mild colorblindness).

Partial shade bed with red hydrangeas companion planting maintaining focus on the hydrangea:

1. Oxalis-very easy to grow in similar conditions that you have. Come in a wide variety of bloom colors (white, pink, red, light purple)

2. Woodland strawberry-great ground cover with white spring blooms and small fruit in the summer

3. Sweet Violet-pink-purple spring blooms, easy to grow. Edible flowers

The three mentioned above grow well in hot, partial shade. They do not require as much water as hydrangeas. Some have labeled my recommendations as invasive, but haven't had that problem.

Well I'm pretty good with color schemes, so no problem there!

I was actually thinking about oxalis... I had quite a bit of it growing wild in shady spots during the spring (died back with the summer heat). Will look up woodland strawberry & sweet violet... what about columbines? Too much water for them?

Columbines would be a great choice---very similar water requirements to hydrangea. Was advanced searching Plant Files and came across Pineland Purple. I've never heard of this plant before --- it's native to central Florida (similar climate to Houston)

Will columbines take the heat? I'd LOVE to plant some but have been concerned about that.

I have no personal experience with Columbines, but looking at plant files there are a large variety of columbines with different characteristics. Some are listed to zone 9b. There are positive comments from people living in Austin and southern California. I have the impression that they would do well in hot shade receiving the same water supply that hydrangea often require.


See example below:
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/1653/index.html

Aren't hydrangea's fairly heavy drinkers (of water, that is)? I have a couple of columbines potted up right now (temporarily, until planting time) - a native Hinkley's & one called 'Denver Gold' which look a lot the same - and they seem to like their soil on the dry side. These are the first columbines I've ever took a stab at, and they seem a bit finicky to me, but that could very well be my fault! Maybe they just don't like being in pots :) Anyhow, are there other varieties that would like a bit more moisture than the Hinkley's does (native of the dry Big Bend area, if I'm not mistaken!)? I think they're absolutely stunning, and would love to see them thrive in my new bed!!

Kelly

Just had another thought... cardinal flower, though I haven't seen too many of those in the nurseries around Houston (the good ones, in addition to HD & Lowes)... Are there any that bloom in other colors, besides red?

KC, take a look at these:

http://davesgarden.com/pf/adv_search.php?searcher%5Bcommon%5D=Cardinal+Flower&searcher%5Bfamily%5D=&searcher%5Bgenus%5D=&searcher%5Bspecies%5D=&searcher%5Bcultivar%5D=&searcher%5Bhybridizer%5D=&search_prefs%5Bsort_by%5D=rating&images_prefs=both&Search=Search

Hate to bombard you with recommendations, but I got out my Gardening in the Shade book. These plants grow in 9a watered partial shade. I narrowed the list by only selecting plants smaller or less blooming than hydrangea. Thus, I left off plants like acanthus, which can get big

1. Maidenhair fern-reported as a Texas native in plant files
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/795/index.html

2. Lily of the Nile
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/139/index.html

3. Southern wild ginger--acidic soil loving ground cover pH5-6
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/99098/index.html

4. clivia
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/54212/index.html

5. japanese iris---loves acidic soil
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/114249/index.html

6. cup flower-- I really like this one It would be grown as an annual in Dallas; but, Houston might be perennial.
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/58206/index.html

7. pratia--ground cover
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/74944/index.html

I'll include caladium and coleus also. I think coleus takes more water. Thought about bleeding heart and helleborus, but I think 9a is too hot.


Spelling edited

This message was edited Aug 15, 2006 11:52 PM

Found a new one today at Calloways--Ardisia japonica-- grows in shade about 18" high. Bronze leaves. Has flowers in the summer then red berries in the winter. Has been reported to grow well (slowly) in Houston. Looks to be a great small plant/groundcover with low risk of invasiveness.

http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/60185/index.html

I have had excellent luck with the ardisia. There's a variegated one also, but it's slower growing than the non variegated. I don't know how it will do with the heavy water. Mine is in an extremely dry area of the yard under a large, dense foliaged tree and it's doing well. I have put in a bleeding heart this year. Don't know how it will handle the summer heat and humidity, but will post back with results if it survives.