Best Companion Plants for Hostas: Perfect Pairings

When it comes to landscaping, few plants are as versatile and beloved as hostas. With their stunning foliage and ease of care, hostas are a staple in many gardens. But what plants go well with hostas? The answer is: a lot! Hostas' low, mounding growth habit and wide range of sizes, colors, and textures make them incredibly versatile companions.

In this guide, we'll explore some of the best plants to pair with hostas, focusing on their complementary growth habits, colors, and textures. Let's dive in and create a harmonious garden oasis with your hostas as the stars.

Complementary Foliage Plants

Hostas are renowned for their beautiful foliage, and pairing them with other plants that share this trait can create a stunning visual impact.

One excellent choice is the coral bells (Heuchera). These plants come in a wide variety of colors, from deep purple to bright lime green, and their small size makes them perfect for tucking in among hostas. Their lobed leaves also provide a lovely contrast to the hostas' smooth, rounded foliage.

Astilbe

Astilbe, or false spirea, is another fantastic foliage plant that pairs well with hostas. Astilbe's feathery, fern-like leaves provide a striking contrast to the hostas' broad, smooth leaves. Plus, astilbe's airy plumes of flowers on tall stems add height and texture to your garden.

For a stunning combination, try planting 'Desert Dawn' astilbe alongside 'Guacamole' hosta. The astilbe's delicate, pinkish-white plumes will complement the hosta's chartreuse leaves beautifully.

Lamium

Lamium, also known as deadnettle, is a low-growing perennial with attractive, silvery-green foliage. Its small size and spreading habit make it an excellent groundcover for hostas, helping to suppress weeds and retain moisture.

Pair 'Lamium maculatum "White Nancy"' with 'August Moon' hosta for a striking contrast of white and gold. The lamium's small, white flowers will also complement the hosta's creamy-white margins.

Ornamental Grasses

Ornamental grasses are another excellent choice for pairing with hostas. Their upright growth habit and textural foliage provide a striking contrast to the hostas' low, mounding forms.

Carex, or sedges, are particularly well-suited to pairing with hostas. Their narrow, grass-like leaves provide a lovely contrast to the hostas' broad foliage, and their small size makes them perfect for planting among hostas.

Carex morrowii "Ice Dance"

'Ice Dance' carex is a stunning variegated grass with narrow, green leaves edged in creamy-white. Its small size and spreading habit make it an excellent choice for tucking in among hostas.

Pair 'Ice Dance' carex with 'Patriot' hosta for a striking contrast of green and gold. The carex's narrow leaves will also help to showcase the hosta's beautiful, heart-shaped foliage.

Miscanthus sinensis "Morning Light"

'Morning Light' miscanthus is a tall, upright grass with narrow, green leaves edged in white. Its large size and airy plumes of flowers make it an excellent choice for adding height and texture to your garden.

Plant 'Morning Light' miscanthus behind a clump of 'Golden Tiara' hosta for a stunning contrast of gold and green. The miscanthus's tall stems and airy plumes will also provide a lovely backdrop for the hosta's beautiful foliage.

Flowering Plants

Hostas may be known for their foliage, but they also produce beautiful, often fragrant flowers in summer. Pairing them with other flowering plants can create a stunning display of color and texture.

Daylilies (Hemerocallis) are a fantastic choice for pairing with hostas. Their tall stems and showy flowers provide a striking contrast to the hostas' low, mounding forms, and their wide range of colors makes them incredibly versatile.

Hemerocallis "Stella de Oro"

'Stella de Oro' daylily is a compact, ever-blooming variety with bright yellow flowers. Its small size and prolific blooming make it an excellent choice for planting among hostas.

Pair 'Stella de Oro' daylily with 'Guacamole' hosta for a stunning display of gold and chartreuse. The daylily's bright, yellow flowers will complement the hosta's creamy-white margins beautifully.

Iberis sempervirens "Snowball"

'Snowball' candytuft is a low-growing perennial with small, white flowers that resemble tiny roses. Its small size and spreading habit make it an excellent groundcover for hostas, helping to suppress weeds and retain moisture.

Plant 'Snowball' candytuft around the base of 'August Moon' hosta for a striking contrast of white and gold. The candytuft's small, white flowers will also complement the hosta's creamy-white margins.

In a well-designed garden, every plant has a purpose, and hostas are no exception. By pairing them with complementary foliage plants, ornamental grasses, and flowering plants, you can create a harmonious, visually stunning garden oasis. So go ahead, experiment with different combinations, and let your creativity shine. Your hostas will thank you!