Hydrangea Shrubs and Celosia Annuals Together

Hydrangea shrubs and annual Celosias are flowering plants grown in cutting gardens then dried for flower arrangements. Gardeners may use these old fashioned flowers often but rarely are they grown together in the same planting bed, each having different cultural needs.

The rounded shape and pastel colors of Hydrangeas and the plume or crested shape and jeweled tones of Celosia will contrast well in a garden design. However, finding a single location where together they will thrive presents a challenge.

Hydrangea Species in Garden Designs

Hydrangeas are shrubs that provide structure in a garden design so they should have a permanent location. Gardeners should choose a garden that offers part sun or part shade where soil has been dug in with organic matter.

Hydrangeas can be cold tolerant as far north as zone 3 or only as far south as zones 6, depending on the variety. Some Hydrangea species are appropriate for southern gardens but none for dry gardens where supplemental watering is withheld.

This guide is a glimpse at the wide variety of Hydrangea species and their cultivars:

• H. arborescens is native in the United States, hardiest as far north as zone 3. Cultivar examples include the traditional ‘Annabelle’ and a new one called Invincibelle™ ‘Spirit.’ Its very heavy ball shaped flower is characteristic of this species.

• H. macrophylla is called bigleaf hydrangea. The species is hardy zones 6 – 9. ‘Nikko Blue’ is an old cultivar that grows 6′ tall. Recently introduced is the Cityline™ series that is 1′ – 3′ tall.

• H. paniculata has pyramidal shaped blooms, one of the earliest to flower in a garden. It will tolerate northern climates, too. H. paniculata ‘Grandiflora’ is a massive shrub with large panicles; contrast that to H. paniculata ‘Little Lamb,’ which will fit in containers.

A plant maintenance plan is critical for these shrubs to grow healthy. It must include specifics on how to prune and care for Hydrangeas as pruning is determined by plant structure and when buds form on individual varieties.

The plant size is another consideration when combining Hydrangea and Celosia together. Because of the shrub’s permanence, gardeners will benefit by making that choice first. Celosia is an easy annual to grow, requiring very little plant maintenance.

Amaranthaceae Plume and Cockscomb Flowers

Celosia plants are part of the Amaranthaceae family that includes annuals called Joseph’s Coat. Celosias thrive in full sun in locations that become hot and dry during summer. The plants bloom summer through fall.

Celosia flower forms have two categories; plumose have a feathery upright appearance and crested are described as having a rooster’s comb, sometimes called a cockscomb, form. The flower colors come in bold primary colors or pastel colors as found in these examples:

• C. ‘Fresh Look’ series has a plume form in jeweled tones of gold or red.

• C. ‘Flamingo Feather’ is a plume form with pink flowers. The plant grows more than 3′ tall.

• C. ‘Jewel Box’ mixed is a crested variety but is 5″ – 6.”

Hydrangea and Celosia Dried Flora Ideas

The white blooms of Hydrangea are popular for drying. The flowers dry to a beige color and are often used for indoor flora arrangements. For a Christmastime idea, they are easily tucked into evergreen boughs to complement rustic decor. Gardeners will leave Hydrangea flowers on shrubs outside for winter decoration, as they will remain on plants throughout winter.

Crested Celosia flowers are especially dramatic in flower arrangements but all types of Celosias are used in dried combination ideas. Celosias can be planted in container, as well cutting, gardens and will attract butterflies.

Hydrangea and Celosia plants, together in a garden, are unlikely combinations. Yet, these plants are useful ideas for cutting gardens and are often used to make dried flower arrangements.