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Hydrangea in my garden?

I'm planning my garden and my favorite flower of all time is hydrangeas, so that is going in there for sure, but any suggestions on other flowers that would look good with hydrangea? I live in the Chicago area -- just as an FYI -- so I would need flowers that would hold up in the extremely humid summers. Thanks! P.S. any suggestions for bushes and shrubs also?

Public Comments

1. I also love hydrangeas and I live in the south where they are extremely common. Let give you a few planting tips. Hydrangeas don't like much sun. In fact, they prefer the north side of a house. At most, morning sunlight. Be sure and check whether you color type need more acidity in the soil or more alkaline. (Blue v.s. lavender.) I think something low in front of your hydrangea's, like daylillies would look attractive and/or something for fall color like mum's or marigolds would look nice. As for shrubs: I like mock-orange and gardenia's. Also Buddleia (Butterfly weed.) All grow well here in the humid south and all like full sun.
2. be sure your hydrangeas are the kind that bloom on old and new wood... ones like BLushing Bride or Endless Summer.... regular plants prob cant' survive your winters.... here's a good site for hydra lovers.. lots of good info in the FAQ's, too... http://www.hydrangeashydrangeas.com/ http://www.endlesssummerblooms.com/en/consumer/plants/blushingbride