15 Low-Maintenance Ground Covers That Grow Beautifully Beneath Hydrangeas

Boasting a pom-pom-like flower head and bell-shaped petals, hydrangeas are a popular choice for your ornamental garden. You can find their blooms in a array of colors like blue, pink, lime green, and white. Depending on the variety, mature plants can grow as high as 20 feet, while others grow no taller than 3 to 5 feet. This means gardeners can use hydrangeas in countless ways. From planting them in mass groupings and borders to growing them as foundation plants and in containers, the possibilities are endless. One popular way to incorporate these classy shrubs into your garden design is to present them as a focal point in your landscaping plans. Adding ground cover plants to your landscape will help fill bare spots while also providing protection and aesthetic pop. 

When choosing ground covers, it's best to pick companion plants that will mesh well with hydrangeas' specific growing needs. For example, these flowering plants detest hot, dry soil . Drought-like conditions will cause wilting, stress, and fewer blooms. With that in mind, ground covers like lamb's ear (Stachys byzantina), which thrives in dry soil, wouldn't be the right fit. There is always an exception to every rule, however — oakleaf hydrangeas (Hydrangea quercifolia) can handle less water compared to other varieties. 

Stick to plants that are hardy in the similar zones as hydrangeas (zones 3 through 9). And opt for plants that prefer moist, well-draining soil. Light is another factor to keep in mind. Since the best spot in your garden for hydrangeas are areas that receive morning sun with afternoon shade, especially in hotter climates, make sure to choose plants that do well in, or at least can tolerate, shadier environments. Lastly, steer clear of ground cover plants that require neutral or alkaline soils. 

This perennial ground cover is native to woodlands and riverbanks in the Appalachian Mountains. Grown in areas from Pennsylvania and Canada to Ohio and Kentucky,  creeping phlox (Phlox stolonifera) craves sun, but doesn't mind moments of partial shade. Most importantly, like hydrangeas, creeping phlox does well in acidic soil. Hardy in zones 5 through 9, the leaves of this mat ground cover will grow 3 inches while the foliage can reach 6 to 12 inches tall. Its wheel-like petals (found in hues of lavender, blue, and pink) will provide a nice compliment to hydrangeas' fluffy blooms. 

Japanese forest grass (Hakonechloa macra) is a perennial ornamental grass. It loves shady conditions, making it a great companion for hydrangeas. It's 10-inch long leaves fan out in elegant arches, creating a nice mounding shape. It can grow up to 18 inches tall and 24 inches wide. This grass prefers its soil moist and loamy as well as slightly acidic. Surprisingly, if you want to enjoy the most vibrant colors, keep this grass away from full sun. Hardy in zones 5 through 9, this grass offers a nice neutral base to hydrangeas' attention-stealing pops of color. 

A popular choice for ground covers, coral bells (Heuchera) are semi-evergreen or evergreen perennials that are distinguished by their dazzling leaves. Available in a variety of textures and colors, you can find coral bells with smooth or ruffled foliage and in solid and variegated colors. Native to parts of Canada, Mexico, and the United States, coral bells can grow in zones 3 through 9. Like most of the plants on this list, it does well in moist, slightly acidic soil. Place in a location with partial shade, otherwise their vibrant hues will fade with too much sun. 

With their lacy fronds and light green color, lady ferns (Athyrium filix-femina) will add an air of delicacy to your garden design. Native to most of North America, lady ferns are often found in forests, woodlands, and swamps. This explains their preference for shade and dappled sunlight. Lady ferns will provide a nice pop of texture and denseness for your garden during the months when hydrangeas are not blooming. Hardy in zones 4 through 9, this deciduous fern thrives in acidic, loamy soils, which it makes it a great companion plant to hydrangeas. 

Consider this reliable ground cover to fill up the space around your hydrangeas. Bugleweed (Ajuga reptans) is known for its ability to cover wide areas quickly. Low-maintenance and able to adapt to a variety of growing conditions, bugleweed can grow in challenging areas where it is difficult to maintain grass. Hardy in zones 3 through 10, it's a good defense against weeds. Be aware that bugleweed is considered an invasive species in eastern states like Maryland, Oregon, and West Virginia. If you include it in your landscape, make sure to stay on top of regular pruning.

Creeping thyme (Thymus serpyllum) goes by many names, including Breckland thyme and mother-of-thyme. This versatile perennial is low-growing, and when used as a ground cover, it will choke out weeds while enhancing the aromatic profile in your garden. Since it doesn't do well in partial to full shade, pair this vine-like plant with sun-tolerant varieties like panicle hydrangeas (Hydrangea paniculata) and oakleaf hydrangeas. Best suited in zones 4 through 9, creeping thyme usually grows 2 to 3 inches tall and 12 inches wide. Soil-wise, it can handle a wide range of types. 

Astilbe is a perfect choice if you need a ground cover for a shady, moist location. Hardy in zones 3 through 9, you'll need to keep the soil consistently damp if you want to enjoy their striking blooms that look like plumes of magical smoke. If you plant these summer-blooming perennials underneath your hydrangeas, they will offer a nice barrier against hungry deer, since they are repelled by astilbes. For ground covers, try dwarf varieties like astilbe 'Sprite' (Astilbe simplicifolia 'Sprite') and Chinese astilbe (Astilbe chinensis var. pumila). These options will stay under 1 foot tall. 

Native to eastern and central North America, including Manitoba and Illinois, wild ginger (Asarum canadense) is a wildflower that often grows in woodland areas. Despite its name, this perennial is not related to culinary ginger. Often used as a ground cover for shady locations, wild ginger grows best in zones 4 through 8. Its heart-shaped, glossy, dark green leaves will help control weeds while also keeping temperatures in the garden nice and cool. Hidden underneath its leaves, you'll find tiny flowers that bloom close to the ground. Chinese wild ginger (Asarum splendens) would also pair nicely with hydrangeas. 

With 22 species and more than 2000 cultivars, hostas were first brought to the United States in the 1800s from Asia.  They are an excellent ground cover choice for shady locations, as the plant prefers a mix of morning sun and shade. This means that hostas and hydrangeas are a perfect pair. Hardy in zones 3 through 9, small hostas generally grow up to 10 inches, while medium ones get 18 inches tall. These sizes are best for ground covers.  Plant these herbaceous perennials in fertile, moist soil that is well-draining and slightly acidic. 

Blue fescue (Festuca glauca) is hardy in zones 4 through 8. Forming a dense clump of foliage, the plant usually reaches a height of 6-12 inches. During the spring and summer seasons, it's leaves will change from light blue-silver into a blue-green. If used as a ground cover, be mindful to space each clump about 8 to 10 inches apart. If you want bright hues, it might be best to pair this with sun-tolerant hydrangeas, since its color will turn out muted if kept in partial shade. Keep the soil consistently moist in order to keep this plant happy. 

You might be familiar with cranesbills (Geranium spp.) via its other common name: Hardy geranium. These perennials should not be confused with the scented geraniums (Pelargonium spp.) most found in container gardens and bedding plants. Flowers can come in colors like blue, magenta, violet, and white, offering a nice compliment to hydrangeas' blooms. Low maintenance and able to withstand many growing conditions, with a hardiness in zones 3 through 9, cranesbills can grow as carpet-like mounds defined by saucer-shaped flowers. Overall, they do best in moist, well-drained soil in a location that receives a combination of full sun and partial shade. 

Sedge species (Carex spp.) are grass-like perennials that form in clumps of tall, triangular-shaped stems. They are generally hardy in the same zones as hydrangeas, 3 through 9, which means they thrive in similar conditions. Unlike most grasses, many sedge varieties grow in full to partial shade. Their roots spread through rhizomes, making this plant a quick spreader. Since there are more than 2,000 species of sedge, try out species like Tussock sedge (Carex stricta) and  Cherokee sedge (Carex cherokeensis). Native to many states in the Southeast, Cherokee sedge would be a good pick, since it loves shade and moist soils. 

Defined by white flowers and its evergreen foliage, foamflower (Tiarella cordifolia) is a popular choice for a ground cover. Generally, these plants will reach a height of 6 to 12 inches. Though able to adapt to a range of growing conditions, foamflowers prefer shade and rich, moist soils with proper drainage. Hardy in zones 3 through 8, this perennial wildflower is native to woodland areas in parts of Canada and the southeastern United States, as well as regions in Wisconsin and Kentucky. Their fluffy flower spikes will add some nice dimension to hydrangeas' airy blooms. 

Prairie dropseed (Sporobolus hetreolepis) is an ornamental grass that is native to parts of central North America, including Canada, Kansas, and Wisconsin. Hardy in zones 3 through 9, these plants usually form into mounds of cascading foliage. Its narrow leaves are a rich green hue that will merge well with hydrangeas' dainty pastels. During the summer, tiny pink and brown flowers will bloom. While prairie dropseed doesn't mind dry soil, it can tolerate moist conditions. It might be best to pair it with a slightly drought-tolerant hydrangea variety like oakleaf. 

Native to China, Japan and the Himalayas, Loropetalum (Loropetalum chinense), otherwise known as Chinese fringe flowers, is a close relative of the witch hazel family. Since these evergreen shrubs can grow up to 15 feet tall, it's best to pick a dwarf varieties for ground covers. One great option would be 'Purple Pixie', which will stay under 2 feet tall. Like hydrangeas, loropetalums prefer a location that receives morning sun followed by afternoon shade. Hardy in zones 7 through 9, they thrive when their soil is kept consistently moist and slightly acidic.