20 Best Hosta Companion Plants
As one of the most beloved garden plants, hostas deserve a place in any landscape. Pair this easy-care perennial with other shade lovers for a dazzling display of an ideal hosta garden companions.
At a glance
Most of these companions prefer partial sun to shade and evenly moist soil, like hostas.
Pick companions with different leaf color, shape, or texture for contrast.
Many, like astilbe, barrenwort, and clematis, are deer and rabbit-resistant.
As one of the most beloved garden plants, hostas deserve a place in any landscape. Pair this easy-care perennial with other shade lovers for a dazzling display of ideal hosta garden companions.
Hostas are reliable perennials with impressive foliage that thrive in shade gardens. There are many plants with similar growing needs that pair well with hostas. Here are suggestions for some of the best hosta companion plants to grow.
1. Azalea (Rhododendron)
Perfecto Mundo® Double Pink Reblooming Azalea
This evergreen or deciduous shrub produces funnel-shaped flowers in an array of colors in spring, with some reblooming in fall. Use hostas as an underplanting, or pair azaleas and hostas, among the best plants to grow with hostas, in a foundation planting or woodland setting.
Hardy in zones 3-9, full sun to partial shade, 1-20’ tall
2. Begonia (Begonia)
This versatile warm-season annual occurs in a wide range of flower colors, leaf shapes, and patterns. The neat mounding habit complements hostas as a companion in hosta gardens, whether grown in containers, borders, or mass plantings.
Hardy in zones 9-11, partial sun to shade, 6-18” tall, deer and rabbit resistant
3. Caladium (Caladium)
Heart to Heart® ‘Blushing Bride’
Add an exotic tropical look to shady areas with the large heart-shaped leaves of caladium that come in a wide array of patterns and colors. Pair this heat lover with hostas in a shade border, foundation planting or massed in the landscape.
Hardy in zones 9-11, partial to full shade, 12-24” tall, deer and rabbit resistant
4. Clematis (Clematis)
One of the best plants to grow with hosta and the most versatile perennial vines, clematis blooms from spring to fall, depending on the variety, with an array of flower colors and forms. Grow along a fence, trellis, or arbor, in the ground, or in containers.
Hardy in zones 3-10, full sun to partial shade, 2-50’ tall, deer and rabbit resistant
5. Coral Bells (Heuchera)
Dolce® ‘Silver Gumdrop’ Coral Bells
Coral bells are grown primarily for the foliage, which occurs in an array of colors, patterns, and shapes for hosta garden companions. Tolerant of a wide range of growing conditions, coral bells and hostas can be combined in a mixed shade border, woodland setting, or containers.
Hardy in zones 3-9, partial sun to shade, 8-12” tall, deer resistant
6. Daylily (Hemerocallis)
Rainbow Rhythm® ‘Ruby Spider’ Daylily
One of the most popular summer-blooming perennials, daylilies have trumpet-shaped flowers in a wide range of colors and patterns. Strappy, grass-like foliage contrasts with bold hosta foliage throughout the growing season when used as hosta companion plants. When landscaping with hostas and daylilies, plant in a site that gets at least 4-6 hours of direct morning sun.
Hardy in zones 3-9, full sun to partial shade, 1-6’ tall
7. Dogwood (Cornus)
Golden Shadows® Pagoda Dogwood
This deciduous tree or shrub offers four-season appeal, with showy white or pink flowers that appear in spring. Green or variegated foliage comes in varying shapes, some with fall color. Pair with hostas for contrast in a woodland border or foundation planting.
Hardy in zones 2-9, full sun to shade, 3-25’ tall, deer and rabbit resistant
8. Foamflower (Tiarella)
Frothy white or pink flowers appear in spring, complemented by attractive green or patterned leaves in varying shapes. Foliage stays evergreen in milder regions. Plant underneath trees or shrubs, or mass as a ground cover in shady or woodland borders, ideal shade plants for hostas.
Hardy in zones 4-9, partial sun to shade, 8-12” tall, deer and rabbit resistant
9. Hydrangea (Hydrangea)
Little Quick Fire® Panicle Hydrangea
This popular deciduous shrub comes in a range of sizes and forms, producing large showy flowers from summer into fall, depending on the variety. Use hostas as an understory plant to hydrangeas, with shade plants for hostas, or combine hydrangeas and hostas in a mixed border alongside other plants.
Hardy in zones 3-9 depending on the variety, full sun to partial shade, 3-15’ tall
10. Leopard Plant (Ligularia)
Leopard plant is one of many perennial plants that go with hostas, among shade plants for hostas. Large heart-shaped or rounded foliage lends drama and contrast to the landscape. Tall yellow flower spikes occur in summer to brighten up shady spots. Plant this moisture lover near a water feature or in a mixed border.
Hardy in zones 4-9, partial sun to shade, 2-4’ tall, deer and rabbit resistant
11. Lungwort (Pulmonaria)
Bell-shaped flowers occur in early to mid spring in shades of blue, pink, red, or white. The lance-shaped deciduous foliage can be green, silver, white, or spotted. Pair this moisture lover with hosta in a woodland border, in mass plantings, or in containers.
Hardy in zones 3-9, partial to full shade, 6-12” tall, deer and rabbit resistant
12. Siberian Bugloss (Brunnera)
Clusters of tiny blue flowers that resemble forget-me-nots bloom in spring above heart-shaped foliage in colors of green, gold, silver, or white. Use them to brighten up deeply shaded areas, perfect shade plants for hostas. Plant in a woodland border, as edging or in mass plantings.
Hardy in zones 3-8, full sun to partial shade, 1-2’ tall, deer and rabbit resistant
FAQ’s
What plants go well with hostas?
When considering what to plant with hostas, include a variety of trees, shrubs, perennials, annuals, ground covers and spring bulbs, as hosta companion plants that prefer partial sun to shade and average moist soil. Choose varieties with different foliage, structure, size, texture and color for contrast.
What grows well next to hostas?
Choose some diversity of natives, woodland plants and low-maintenance varieties as hosta companion plants. For multi-seasonal interest, add flowers that pair well with hostas that bloom at different times of the year. Include plants with attributes such as fall color and attractive bark.
Can you plant hostas and hydrangeas together?
As an underplanting, hostas help soften the bare lower stems of hydrangeas, and will thrive in the deeper shade cast by the taller shrubs. Both prefer a slightly acidic, well-amended soil. When landscaping with hydrangeas and hostas, choose varieties that will grow in your hardiness zone and thrive in your particular climate conditions.
What flowers go well with hosta?
Spring-flowering companion plants for hostas include allium, bergenia, cranesbill (Geranium), daffodil, hyacinth, muscari, spurge (Euphorbia), Solomon’s seal, trillium and tulips. Summer-blooming companions include astilbe, begonia, impatiens, lady’s mantle and wishbone flower (Torenia).
What shrubs go with hostas?
Shrubs that thrive in growing conditions similar to hostas include azalea, camellia, daphne, fothergilla, hydrangea, mountain laurel (Kalmia), pieris, rhododendron, spirea, sweetshrub (Calycanthus), sweet spire (Itea) and viburnum.
