Hydrangeas are beautiful, but not without alternatives. If you are bothered by the time-consuming need to water or the flowers that are unfriendly to bees, look for plants similar to hydrangeas. Read useful tips about the best hydrangea alternatives for beds and balconies here.
Which plants are similar to hydrangeas and bee friendly?
Hydrangea-like plants for partial shade include Chinese loosewood, alpine rose and sacred bamboo. Buddleia is suitable for sunny locations. Bee-friendly alternatives include beardflower, blue rue and chasteberry. Climbing variants include American climbing trumpet, golden honeysuckle and clematis.
Which hydrangea-like plants are there for partial shade?
Penal shade with fresh, moist, acidic garden soil is the habitat of farmer's hydrangeas (Hydrangea macrophylla). In the summer time, thehigh watering requirement can become a strain on your time. A good reason to look for less thirsty, hardy hydrangea-like plants for partially shaded locations:
- China lotus tree (Clerodendrum bungei), dark pink flower umbels from July to September, height 80-200 cm.
- Alpine rose (rhododendron) in a variety of flower colors, evergreen, growth heights between 70 cm and 300 cm.
- Sacred bamboo (Nandina domestica), evergreen, white flower spikes, growth height up to 80 cm.
Which hydrangea-like plants are there for sunny locations?
Since panicle hydrangeas (Hydrangea paniculata) were successfully bred, the magnificent flowering bushes can also be admired insunny locations. Premium varieties such as 'Limelight' have a seductive scent and are suitable for beds and containers. So much floral splendor makes finding alternatives a challenge.
The most beautiful hydrangea-like plant is the hardy, deciduous buddleia (Buddleja davidii). The easy-care flowering shrub presents its violet, white or pink, fragrant flower spikes from July to October. Depending on the variety, a butterfly lilac reaches a height of 100 to 300 cm.
Which hydrangea-like plants are bee-friendly?
There is no room for hydrangeas in the bee-friendly garden. The predominantly genderless,barren flower umbels are a deception for bees. These hydrangea-like plants offer insects a lavish pollen and nectar buffet:
- Beardflower (Caryopteris clandonensis), flower colors: blue, violet, pink, flowering period: July to October. Growth height: 100 cm.
- Blue Rue (Perovskia abrotanoides), flower color: violet, flowering period: July to October, height 150 cm.
- Chasteberry (Vitex agnus-castus var. latifolia), flower colors: purple, white, flowering period: August to October, height of growth: up to 300 cm.
Tip
Hortensia-like climbing plants conquer facade and pergola
The climbing hydrangea (Hydrangea petiolaris) takes things slowly with 15 cm annual growth. Beautiful hydrangea-like climbers are particularly fast-growing. One of the growth rockets is the lushly flowering American climbing trumpet (Campsis radicans), which grows up to 200 cm per year. If climbing aids are available, golden honeysuckle (Lonicera tellmanniana) and clematis (Clematis) transform vertical surfaces into a sea of flowers with a growth rate of up to 150 cm.
