The north side receives morning sunlight and is great for most varieties. I would consider the north side the second best place to plant hydrangeas. The north side gets good morning sunlight. This is not always the case, of course.
If you are looking for year round interest then an evergreen climbing Hydrangea such as Hydrangea seemanii makes a great choice, although it is not as hardy as its deciduous cousin and will require some winter protection. Perfect for: Climbing north facing walls and fences.
The most popular and well-known climbing hydrangea is Hydrangea anomala subsp. petiolaris. Though slow growing to start with, it is a vigorous climber that can cover outbuildings or brighten up shady house walls.
Incrediball is equally as reliable and hardy, but its flowers are even bigger than 'Annabelle' - on a mature plant in ideal conditions, we've seen them reach the size of basketballs! In the photo below, Incrediball is in the man's right hand, while 'Annabelle' is in his left.
Panicle hydrangea are considered the most cold hardy of the species. They are reliable shrubs or small trees that require minimal fuss for success. Their stout, reddish brown branches are upright to arching, sometimes becoming bowed under the weight of the large flowers.
Shade-Loving Hydrangeas
Annabelle, Invincibelle, and Incrediball are three hydrangeas that perform well in mostly shaded sites.
'Limelight' is a speedy grower that will top out at 6 to 8 feet so be sure to give it plenty of room. Choose a site that has light shade to partial sun. Too much shade will result in reduced bloom production. In cool climates you can even plant 'Limelight' in full sun.
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.
Foremost, plant the Panicle Hydrangea variety because this variety, especially the Peegee and Limelight types, tolerates the most sun- and even does well in direct afternoon sunlight. They have a higher sun requirement than the other varieties of Hydrangea, needing at least six hours of sunlight a day.
“In the South, they can get away with just three hours of sun.” Hydrangeas in Southern gardens should be planted in locations with morning sun and afternoon shade; in the North they can do well in full sun as long as they get plenty of water and aren't subjected to dry winter winds.
If you're planting Hydrangeas near your house, make sure to give them enough space to allow for air circulation. They won't do well if they're pressed right up against the boards. And tall varieties like PeeGees are probably not ideal for foundation plantings.
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.
Most Abundant Flowers: Limelight
This classic panicle hydrangea blooms from late summer to early fall. It produces a profusion of huge, conical, white flowers tinged with light green that slowly age to reddish pink.
All they need is well-drained soil, some water and a little bit of shade during hot summer days. Find out even more about hydrangea care in our Complete Hydrangea Guide! Oakleaf varieties are the easiest type of hydrangeas for beginners to grow.
The “beginner” hydrangea, or one that requires the lowest maintenance, are the oakleaf varieties. Not only do they tolerate colder weather and can withstand drought, but they are also more resistant to diseases and pests.
In warmer areas, many hydrangea types will suffer in the afternoon's scorching sun. The leaves and flower heads may burn, turning brown. If you notice this, that means your hydrangea is getting too much sun. Try moving it into filtered shade, or an area where it gets only a few hours of morning sun.
Hydrangea paniculata is a very hardy species, thriving from USDA zones 4-8. This plant will require at least four hours of bright sun to produce strong stems. However, six or more hours would be best. The flowers on this species are cone-shaped clusters of white flowers that will change color as the season goes on.
Panicle hydrangeas are among the most winter-hardy hydrangeas available to gardeners. In fact, the three varieties we're about to introduce you to are hardy all the way down to USDA Zone 3. That means they'll brush off temperatures as cold as -40˚ F/C like a champ. Pruning Hydrangea paniculata is no-fail (no kidding!).
Side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, and chest tightness. It's LIKELY UNSAFE to use more than 2 grams of dried hydrangea rhizome/root at a time. It is also LIKELY UNSAFE to use hydrangea for long period of time.
Mophead Hydrangeas | Hydrangea macrophylla. These are the most popular bigleaf hydrangea. Many recognize these due to their large flower heads that are purple, blue and pink. In general, mophead and lacecap leaves are relatively thick and crisp, somewhat shiny, and often heart-shaped.