Full Sun Hydrangeas | Plant Addicts (2024)

FAQs

What hydrangea can tolerate full sun? ›

2 – Best hydrangeas for full sun

Out of the five most common hydrangeas – panicle, smooth, oakleaf, bigleaf, and mountain – you'll have the best luck with panicle hydrangeas. They are the most sun tolerant.

While most common hydrangea plants need some shade, especially in warmer growing zones, panicle Hydrangeas (Hydrangea paniculata) like Fire Light®, Limelight, Pinky Winky®, Strawberry Sundae®, and Vanilla Strawberry® can thrive in full sun.

When French Hydrangeas get too much sun, they act out. Think wilted leaves and sunburned blooms. It's like they're saying, "I've had enough!" Prolonged exposure to intense sunlight can stress them out, leading to a lackluster display of flowers. It's a clear sign they need a break from the spotlight.

Noyes from Gardening Chores says you should never try to plant hydrangeas in zones 1 and 2 due to extremely cold temperatures. "Similarly, it is hard to grow hydrangeas in very hot areas of the country; their heat tolerance ranges from zones 8 and 11 (but it is usually 9), according to the variety.

Panicle hydrangea (H. paniculata) – Panicle hydrangea is one of the most sun tolerant hydrangeas. This plant needs five to six hours of sunlight and won't grow in full shade. However, morning sunlight and afternoon shade is best in hot climates, as the plant won't do well in intense, direct sunlight.

Sun helps many varieties bloom, but full sun is rarely required. Bigleaf hydrangeas, which are the variety most people think of when they think of these popular shrubs, can take full sun in cooler areas (zones 4 to 6). But in warmer areas (zones 7 to 9), they do best with morning sun and afternoon shade.

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.

Forsythia is an incredibly hardy shrub with golden-yellow blooms. 'Most varieties of forsythia prefer full sun or mostly sun growing conditions,' says Tabar Gifford, plant expert and American Meadows master gardener. Growing happily in US hardiness zones 5 - 8, forsythia thrives in a sunny spot in the yard.

Sunlight. Endless Summer hydrangeas should be planted in a place that receives morning sun and dappled afternoon shade. "The amount of sun they can tolerate depends on the zone," says Mcenaney. "Endless Summer hydrangeas that are planted in zone 4 can tolerate more afternoon sun than those planted in zone 9."

Water plants deeply prior to the heat event so that the root zone is well hydrated. Place mulch, such as bark, around plants to help keep in moisture. Avoid applying gravel or black-plastic mulches, which raise soil temperatures. Prior to planting, amend soil with organic matter.

How do I protect my hydrangeas from too much sun? ›

You might try planting a few flower carpet roses but they may not be tall enough for you. My suggestion would be to change nothing. Instead, I'd suggest you protect the hydrangeas from the heat by covering them with shade cloth. Shade cloth is available at many garden centers and home improvement retailers.

Not all plants pair well with hydrangeas. Here are some combinations to avoid: Sunflower prefers full sun and hotter conditions than hydrangeas, which require some shade. Lavender is a sun-loving perennial that performs best in dry conditions and leaner soil, so will not thrive near hydrangeas.

So, when is the best time to plant hydrangeas? Aim for late spring, well after any danger of frost has passed, or early fall, when night temperatures usher in cooler air. If you garden in a region where the ground freezes, get plants into the ground at least six weeks prior to fall's first killing frost.

Hydrangeas need regular water to thrive. Too little water can result in stunted growth and failure to develop flower buds. A drought in the previous growing season can also affect flowering the following year. Plants need consistent moisture, about 2 inches of water per week.

Most of the varieties in Endless Summer will reach 3-4′ wide at maturity. I would give them at last two feet away from the foundation. Or even a little more if you don't want them touching the house. Summer Crush is the most compact, so you can plant that one a little closer.

While several species of hydrangeas thrive in shade, panicle hydrangeas (Hydrangea paniculata) are the best for growing in full sun. These summer-blooming shrubs produce large clusters of white flowers for several weeks. The showy blooms fade to shades of pink or red before drying to beige.

Endless Summer^® hydrangeas prefer morning sun and afternoon dappled shade. If they are planted in full sun, it may be too hot and intense for the blooms to produce. Also, over-watering and over-fertilizing your plants can inhibit bloom production.

Hydrangeas are amazingly resilient, she says. If they wilt in the heat of a summer afternoon, they will likely perk up by the next morning. But don't let them suffer too often or the cell structure will collapse and the leaves may not come back until fall rain or even next spring.