Hydrangeas are beautiful shrubs that offer unique colours to gardens including pink, blue, and purple. However, not all plants are friends with hydrangeas.
Due to hydrangeas’ conditions, plants that thrive in the sun or in extreme shadows cannot survive.
Lindsey Chastain, the founder of The Waddle and Cluck, has shared five plants gardeners should “avoid planting next to hydrangeas” and the reasons why.
She said: “Hydrangeas are popular for many gardeners due to their vibrant colours and large, beautiful blooms. However, not all plants make good neighbours for hydrangeas.
“While hydrangeas can be a beautiful addition to any garden, it’s important to consider their needs and characteristics when deciding what to plant next to them.
READ MORE: Hanging basket mistakes to avoid that ‘cause stress’ and results in ‘root rot’
“By avoiding these five types of plants, you can help ensure your hydrangeas thrive and continue to add beauty to your garden for years to come.”
1. Azaleas
While both azaleas and hydrangeas produce attractive foliage that comes in many colours, they do not make good companions.
Lindsey explained: “Azaleas prefer acidic soil, while hydrangeas thrive in soil with a pH that ranges from slightly acidic to slightly alkaline. If you try to adjust the soil pH to suit one, you might end up harming the other.”
2. Black walnut trees
Black walnut trees produce a substance known as juglone, which is “toxic to many plants”, and this includes hydrangeas.
Don’t miss…
‘Effective’ plants to stop cats pooing in gardens ‘for good’ – ‘offends’ them[EXPERT]
‘Fantastic’ 14p food scrap that makes tomato plants ‘thrive’ and ‘repels cats’[COMMENT]
‘3 simple steps’ to prune hydrangeas for a ‘beautiful display year after year’[TIPS]
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info
The juglone is released into the soil and can “stunt the growth of hydrangeas” or “even kill them”.
What’s more, walnut trees produce heavy shade which will inhibit the ability of hydrangeas to use photosynthesis.
3. Invasive species
Plants like English ivy or bamboo can quickly take over garden space, crowding out hydrangeas and other plants.
Their “aggressive growth” can limit the space hydrangeas have to grow and can compete for nutrients in the soil.
4. Sunflowers
Sunflowers are known to be allelopathic, which means they release chemicals into the soil that can “inhibit the growth of other plants”.
Additionally, their large size and need for sunlight can overshadow hydrangeas, depriving them of necessary light.
5. Water-hungry plants
Plants like willows or birch trees that require a lot of water can compete with hydrangeas for moisture, leading to “water stress”.
Hydrangeas “need a lot of water”, especially during the summer months, and competition for water can “hinder their growth and blooms”.
Source: Read Full Article