Roses and hydrangeas create a spectacular bloom display throughout the warm season. Depending on the varieties, they’ll even grow together and bloom simultaneously in seemingly endless combinations.
Many roses and hydrangeas have similar cultural requirements—a win for the garden. The caveat is to pay close attention to sunlight and moisture preferences – these determine the success of the pairing and differ by species and variety.
Here, we’ll discuss general tips for setting the duo up for success, but it comes down to plant specifics. If you already have happy roses, look for hydrangeas that meet their site conditions and vice versa.
The Short Answer
Combine roses that tolerate partial shade with sun-tolerant hydrangeas for the best of both worlds. Both will grow and bloom in partial shade (at least four hours of sunlight). Also, starting with strong specimens in landscape performance and disease resistance leads to triumphant displays.
Delight in pairing hydrangeas and roses based on their aesthetic qualities, winnowing down the list based on similar growing requirements. Enjoy the long-lived shrubs and years of partnered blooms.
The Long Answer
Roses and hydrangeas grow well together when they have overlapping cultural requirements. The selections must have similar sunlight, water, and soil preferences for a successful combination to thrive. Climate is also a factor.
Climate
Choose shrubs based on sunlight, moisture, and temperature needs.
Climate affects all growing conditions, but sunlight, moisture, and temperature are important considerations for the blooming combination. The shrubs grow across many zones, including cold winters and hot summers. Some are more cold-hardy than others; making selections based on your USDA zone is useful.
Water
Provide one to two inches of water per week.
Roses and hydrangeas typically need the same amount of water to thrive. Depending on seasonal conditions, one to two inches per week is sufficient. Average rainfall is usually enough to support healthy growth for established plants. Supplemental water benefits them during hot and dry spells.
Hydrangeas will likely be the driving force behind the duo’s moisture needs. Named from the Greek “hydor,” meaning water, their large leaves wilt without ample irrigation.
Roses and hydrangeas growing in more sun require more regular moisture. Both prefer evenly moist, organically rich, well-draining soils.
Sunlight
Morning sun with afternoon shade is ideal for these shrubs.
The flowering shrubs vary in light requirements according to species and variety. Some roses flourish only in full sun, while some hydrangeas require partial to full shade, depending on climate. To grow roses and hydrangeas together, we must pay special attention to sun exposure.
In cooler, northern climates, roses and hydrangeas generally tolerate full sun with regular soil moisture. They benefit from six hours of sunlight daily for best growth, disease resistance, and flowering.
Both prefer afternoon shade or dappled light in warmer, southern climates—especially essential for hydrangeas. Direct, midday sun can burn and scorch leaves. Increased overall shade is helpful to hydrangeas in hot climates. The same full-sun species in northern gardens may need only two to three hours of morning sun in southern sites. It depends on the species. Panicle hydrangeas tolerate more sun than other species.
The morning sun is ideal for most roses and hydrangeas in northern and southern gardens. The plants soak up lots of light before losing moisture through the day’s evaporation. Light midday shade works across cool and warm climates.
Pest and Disease Prevention
Healthy growth requires disease-resistant varieties, proper watering, and good air circulation.
In optimal growing conditions, both bloomers are relatively carefree growers. Common pests and diseases sometimes affect both genera, but preventative steps help both flourish. The combination is susceptible to black spot (roses) and leaf spot (hydrangeas), powdery mildew, and other fungal diseases. Plants may also experience aphids, beetles, scale, and spider mites, among other insects.
Choose Resistant Varieties
Starting with disease-resistant varieties gives plants a leg up. Roses are prone to more diseases than hydrangeas, which are relatively free of severe infections. Choosing powdery mildew and leaf spot-resistant types helps, though.
Old garden roses showcase voluminous blooms in sturdy, healthy forms. Many climbing roses are vigorous and resistant, and wild and shrub roses are hardy performers. Modern EarthKindⓇ roses bear improved disease resistance and minimal maintenance needs.
Pruning and Irrigation
Providing plenty of air circulation and average moisture helps stave off infections. Pruning and removing diseased leaves helps prevent the spread of pests and diseases. For best health, remove fallen leaves and flowers from the base of the plants during the growing season.
Water in the morning to retain the most moisture before evaporation. Watering deeply, rather than frequently and shallowly, is best for developing strong, healthy roots. Avoid extreme fluctuations in watering.
Watering at the base of the plants avoids splashing the leaves and is best for preventing the spread of fungal and bacterial diseases. Drip irrigation and soaker hoses accomplish this while delivering low volumes of water with little runoff. If using spray heads or overhead irrigation, water early in the day so plants have a chance to dry out.
Crafting a Display
Complementary (contrasting) or analogous (similar) flower colors create gorgeous displays.
Now to the fun part: choosing rose and hydrangea pairings for their dynamic beauty. Both groups boast a variety of forms, from dwarf to climbing, with a range of colors and flower shapes.
Use complementary (contrasting) or analogous (similar) flower hues to create an outstanding floriferous display. The handsome foliage of both shrubs ensures a lush backdrop. Lime green and creamy white hydrangeas are stunning neutrals to colorful rosettes. Combinations of peachy pinks and yellows soften the planting arrangement. Bold blues complement roses in tones from bold to pastel.
Coordinating Bloom Times
Choose reblooming plants for a vibrant, long-lasting display.
Of course, we’ll need plants that bloom at the same point in the season to have a spectacular show. For a long-lasting display, opt for reblooming specimens. Some roses bloom only in late spring, and some hydrangeas bloom only in mid-summer. Reblooming selections ensure overlap, often with a larger initial, simultaneous flush.
For once-a-season-bloomers, look for pairings with the same initial flush. Early summer flowering selections pair beautifully.
Design Considerations
Pairing varied blooms and forms creates versatile, stunning displays.
Variations in flower and form create versatile pairing situations. Feature a vigorous climbing rose for a spray of color and handsome foliage behind a lower-growing, big-blooming hydrangea. Or anchor the display with a bank of robust hydrangeas behind low-growing roses. The combination is gorgeous in sequential pairings, using repeated groups of similar sizes.
The blooming shrubs also provide complementary selections for hedges, grouped plantings, privacy screens, borders, and accents. Since both are deciduous specimens, consider balancing the arrangement with interspersed evergreens or a boxwood border. A mixed planting adds multi-season interest and contrasting texture to the flowering arrangement.
In addition to refined boxwoods, evergreen companions include juniper, yew, spruce, and hollies.
When the summer shrubs are quiet, camellias, daphne, and tea olive provide broad foliage and interest in color and fragrance.
To extend seasonal appeal, bonus points for combining hydrangeas with fall color and roses with showy hips. Hydrangeas may have leaves that turn to golds and deep reds or blooms that persist on the stem. Look to panicle (H. paniculata) and oakleaf (H. quercifolia) types for good color. Rosehips in bright orange or deep purple globes take the display well beyond summer.
