Hydrangeas grow best in full sun (more than 6 hours sun) to part sun (4-6 hours sun). With that being said, all hydrangeas can handle some shade, but the timing and type of shade are important to consider. They can be in full shade during the hottest part of the day, as long as they are getting some morning sun.
Oakleaf Hydrangeas can tolerate full shade. Oakleaf Hydrangeas are the most adaptable to different sun and shade conditions.
Shade-Loving Hydrangeas
Annabelle, Invincibelle, and Incrediball are three hydrangeas that perform well in mostly shaded sites.
The further north your garden is located, the more sunlight your hydrangeas need. An average rule of thumb is six hours of sunlight per day. However, hydrangeas growing in the south can perform on only three hours of sunlight.
Unless the shrubs are planted in a raised bed that sits above the root system of trees, avoid planting hydrangeas directly beneath trees where they must compete for water and nutrition. The shrubs grow best in soil that contains plenty of organic material and good drainage.
Oakleaf hydrangeas are the best choice for shady conditions. They earn the name from their dramatic oak-shaped leaves! It's easy to enjoy oakleaf hydrangeas in all four seasons with fuzzy spring buds, giant flowers in summer, vibrant fall foliage, and peeling winter bark.
Endless Summer hydrangeas grow best in partial sun. A location that receives morning sun and dappled afternoon shade is ideal. If these hydrangeas are planted in full sun, conditions might be too hot and intense for the plants to produce blooms. Planting in too much shade can result in weak stems and fewer blooms.
Most hydrangeas prefer only morning sun. Yet one type of hydrangea can soak up the sun all day: the panicle hydrangea. While they can stand the sun, these do just fine in partial shade, too. Plus, panicle hydrangeas are the hardiest hydrangeas.
The hydrangea should be watered thoroughly at least 3 times a week. Always water the plant all the way around the container, not just in one place. Water should come out the bottom of the pot. Never let it sit in water which will cause the roots to rot away.
If you can provide filtered light or even a few hours of dappled morning sun, consider oakleaf hydrangeas. These plants grow in the forest understory in the wild, and are more adapted to shadier conditions. In full shade, they may not bloom as well, but they're unlikely to be affected by weak stems.
It depends on what kind of hydrangea you have, but typically both Endless Summer® hydrangeas and panicle hydrangeas will bloom in afternoon sun. If it's only a couple of hours, then you may not get as many flowers as if they were planted in areas that get 4-6 hours of morning sun.
Oakleaf hydrangeas can grow in full shade, but they likely will not thrive and probably won't flower very well. That said, some afternoon shade in hot climates can be helpful.
Endless Summer Hydrangeas thrive in partial shade, or roughly four hours of direct, unfiltered sunlight per day. It's best if they receive sun in the morning and shade in the afternoon.
'Annabelle' Hydrangea is most at home in partial shade and evenly moist but well-drained soil; she'll grow in full sun if moisture is ample. Because she flowers heavily on the current season's growth (“new wood”), most gardeners cut the stems to the ground in late winter.
Hydrangeas are hardy in growing zones 3-7 and will need at least 4-6 hours of sun a day. They can get by on 4-6 hours if they are located in partial shade. If you don't know which growing zone you are located, check out this interactive USDA hardiness zone map here.
East Side. The east side of the house is the best planting location, as it gets the morning and afternoon sun. This is the best side of the house for your hydrangeas, traditionally.
Incrediball smooth hydrangea is hardy in USDA Zones 3-8. In all but the warmest climates, it will be the most vigorous and produce the most flowers if you grow it in full sun; some afternoon shade is best in the South. It will grow and bloom in the shade in the North too, but its flowers will be smaller.
To stimulate hydrangeas to bloom, it is important to provide the plants with plenty of sunlight and water. Make sure that the soil is well-draining and fertilize regularly in spring and summer. Prune each year in the summer after the flowers bloom, and avoid winter or spring pruning.
Panicle hydrangeas are a fantastic choice for adding late-season interest to your garden. As other plants start to fade, panicle hydrangeas burst into bloom, stealing the spotlight with their showy panicles of flowers. Their long-lasting flowers persist well into the fall, extending the beauty of your garden.
A 2-3” layer of mulch around the base will help keep the moisture in as well but remember, no “volcano” mulching (where you pile the mulch higher up next stem). Mulching around your hydrangea will encourage deep roots to develop, adding to winter hardiness.
Yellowing also can be a sign of too much fertilizer, as well as some diseases. What is the difference between tree hydrangeas and hydrangea bushes? Tree hydrangeas are technically a shrub just like the bush varieties. They just have a more upright growth habit and can be trained into a tree-like form via pruning.