underplanting hydrangea
Underplanting hydrangea is a fantastic way to maximise the beauty and health of your garden borders, beds or shaded areas. Whether you grow mopheads, panicles or lacecaps, hydrangeas are known for their lush foliage and showy blooms – but they can leave bare ground beneath. By carefully underplanting hydrangea with compatible ground cover plants, you’ll create a fuller tapestry of foliage, help suppress weeds, and add seasonal colour that complements your main shrubs. This page covers the best plant choices, top tips, and creative ideas for underplanting hydrangea in New Zealand gardens.
Pimelea prostrata 'Blue Peter'
Pimelea prostrata 'Blue Peter', commonly known as Pinatoro or the NZ Daphne plant, is a mat-forming, NZ native, ground cover plant. It has small, blue foliage which becomes adorned with fragrant, white flowers in spring and results in white berries. This evergreen typically grows to 10 cm tall and 50 cm wide. Pimelea prostrata 'Blue Peter' is commonly used as a groundcover, added to coastal plantings, included in rock gardens, planted around outdoor living areas, grown on a bank, or positioned so it can spill out over a path or over a wall.
From $23.39
Leptinella pusilla (Purple Brass Buttons)
Leptinella pusilla is a low growing evergreen groundcover valued for its delicate fern like foliage and ability to form a dense carpet of greenery. The fine textured leaves create year round interest and help soften pathways, rock gardens, and garden edges. Its spreading habit and hardy nature make it ideal for filling gaps between paving stones and covering difficult areas. Leptinella pusilla performs exceptionally well in New Zealand conditions and requires very little maintenance once established.
