I’ll be honest with you – hyacinths fooled me for years. I always assumed they were pretty easy going.
But like many of their bulb friends they can be picky about what they’re planted with. And getting it wrong will result in everything struggling, not just they hyancinths.
So I’ll take you through the plants to avoid planting with them, along with the reasons why, so you won’t have to see all your hard work go to waste.
Understanding Hyacinth
Hyacinths are stunning coming in such beautiful colors like deep purples and soft pinks. But they’ve got specific needs that can’t be ignored.
They really like soil that drains well, full to partial sun and are particular about what they’re planted with.
Hyacinths take a lot of resources. Each bulb a lot of roots that will compete hard for water, nutrients and space.
When you pair them with the wrong companions they’ll fight with them and both will suffer. I’ve seen hyacinths produce weak flower spikes because they were too busy fighting off aggressive neighbors just so they could survive.
When you get companion planting wrong with hyacinths it doesn’t just mean poor blooms. You may be shortening the lifespan of the bulbs.
They need to store energy after flowering so they can come back strong the next year. If they’ get stressed from the wrong neighbors they’ll slowly fade away until they stop flowering completely. I’ve got some sad spots in my garden that proves it.
Plants NOT to Plant with Hyacinth
Hostas
Hostas might seem like they’d be innocent and get along with every plant but it’s not the case. They have unbelievably aggressive roots that spread like crazy once they get established.
I planted some gorgeous ‘Sum and Substance’ hostas near a hyacinth bed in the hope they’d make a nice contrast. Within two seasons the hostas had pushed out half my bulbs.
Hostas also like soil that is constantly moist while hyacinths like it that drains well. They’re just a poor match.
Ajuga (Bugleweed)
Don’t be fooled by its pretty purple flowers. Ajuga bullies everything.
It spreads by runners and will overwhelm any hyacinth bulbs, stopping them from getting the sun they need.
I watched this happen in my neighbor’s garden. It didn’t happen fast but the hyacinths just got weaker each year until they disappeared completely under the ajuga.
Mint
Mint simply doesn’t work with basically anything. It’s just awful.
It’s ridiculously aggressively in how it spreads and in the case of hyacinths it will take both the space they need and the nutrients.
Plus mint like consistently moist conditions and hyacinths hate being wet all the time.
Astilbe
Beautiful as they are astilbes like and need a lot of moisture. Which is totally at odds with the conditions that hyacinths need to grow.
They need consistently moist, rich soil and partial shade. Hyacinths on the other hand want soil that drains well and full sun.
If you Plant them together you’ll either have soggy, rotting hyacinth bulbs or wilted astilbes.
Heuchera (Coral Bells)
This is another one that might seem harmless but creates problems. Heucheras have shallow roots that compete with the hyacinth bulbs for nutrients.
They also prefer richer, more organic soil than hyacinths. So you’ll have to compromise over one and in the end they both suffer and don’t do well.
Impatiens
Impatiens might seem like perfect companions as they are colorful and flower once the hyacinths have faded. But it doesn’t work at all.
Impatiens need rich soil and lots of moisture. They also make a lot of shade that stops hyacinths from photosynthesizing once they’ve bloomed. This matters a lot because hyacinths need to store energy once they’ve bloomed so they can return next year.
Ferns
Ferns and hyacinths want completely opposite growing conditions. Most ferns like moist and lots of shade whereas hyacinths need sun and soil that drains well.
Large ferns can also create too much shade which stops the hyacinth foliage from being able to photosynthesize.
Begonias
Begonias like rich, moist soil and partial shade. On top of that they’re often treated as annuals that need a lot of watering throughout the growing season. When that happens if means they’re getting a lot of water, which is exactly what hyacinth bulbs don’t want when they’re dormant in the summer.
Caladiums
Caladiums might be beautiful and tropical looking but they’re still a mismatch with hyacinths. They need warm, humid conditions and rich, moist soil.
They also go dormant in fall when hyacinth bulbs are just starting to get their roots established. It mean trying to care for and grow them both ends with clashes.
Pachysandra
Pachysandra is a groundcover that stops hyacinth shoots from emerging properly in the spring. It also competes with it for water and nutrients.
I’ve witnessed a whole planting of hyacinths gradually disappear under a relentless spreading pachysandra.
Large Annual Flowers
Big annuals like sunflowers, cleome or large zinnias are a nightmare for hyacinths because they create far too much shade. They also steal the water and nutrients they need.
Spreading Perennial Grasses
Ornamental grasses like ribbon grass or some sedges can spread hard and have strong roots that compete with hyacinth bulbs. They also hold on to water around their base and this can cause hyacinth bulbs to rot.
Vegetables
This one might seem obvious but it doesn’t mean people don’t try it. Why doesn’t it work? Well most vegetables need rich soil that gets watered often and to be fertilized regularly.
All of that is exactly what hyacinth bulbs don’t want. Plus the constant digging and disturbing the soil in vegetable beds can damage hyacinth bulbs too.
Good Companion Plants for Hyacinth
Now let’s focus on the companions that do work well with hyacinths. They all either have similar needs or won’t compete for resources.
Daffodils and Crocuses: Other spring bulbs make great companions because, unsurprisingly, they have similar needs and will bloom at the same time. They’ll create lovely displays together.
Lavender: Once established lavender loves the same conditions as hyacinths and won’t compete for resources. Lavender also contrasts nicely against hyacinths blooms and both of them like to be dry.
Ornamental Alliums: Alliums go perfectly with hyacinths because they have identical needs. Plant them together and watch the bulbs bloom progressively over the spring to early summer.
Catmint: Unlike mint catmint doesn’t fight hyacinths and tolerates drought well. Its lovely purple and blue flowers come out after hyacinths fade and won’t compete much for resources.
Sedum: Sedums provide excellent groundcover around hyacinths without being any sort of competition. They like the same sort of conditions too.
Tips for Successful Companion Planting
Think drainage first: This is absolutely a must with hyacinths. Any companion plant you choose needs to be happy with well draining soil. If you’re tempted to plant something tjat loves moisture near to your hyacinths you’d be better off making a separate area that other plants can grow in different soil conditions.
Think about mature sizes: Tiny perennials might look great when growing next to your hyacinth bulbs now but you need to take a second to think about how they’ll look in 3 years time. Many perennials spread a lot over those years and may end up overwhelming bulbs.
Plan for caring after the blooms: Remember that hyacinth foliage needs to photosynthesize for 6 to 8 weeks after blooming so it can feed next year’s flowers. So pick companions that won’t create a lot of shade during that time.
Space appropriately: Give hyacinths enough room to breathe. I plant mine at least 6 inches away from any perennial companions. That seems to be enough to stop the roots from competing and let’s the air flow properly between them.
Match bloom times strategically: Some of my favorite combinations involve plants that bloom just as hyacinths are fading. This extends the season without creating competition during peak bloom time.
Final Thoughts
I wish someone had told me earlier that hyacinths are quite particular about what they’re planted with. It would’ve saved me from watching a lot of beautiful bulb plantings not work out because I paired them with the wrong neighbors.
A big thing to remember is that hyacinths are still Mediterranean plants. So they want good drainage, full sun and space to do their thing without any aggressive competition.
When you give them these basic needs and choose companions that match them things have a much better chance of working out.
In the long run your hyacinths will thank you for being choosy about their neighbors. And your spring garden will be absolutely spectacular when everything works together instead of being one big fight.