2 Hydrangea Plants That Thrive In The Shade (And 3 That Need Sun)

If you are considering adding hydrangeas to your landscaping, you may think you have the perfect spot picked out. However, choosing where to plant hydrangeas in your yard isn't just about where you'd like to see them. It is also about meeting the plant's needs in terms of sunlight or shade. Making the right choice in this regard is crucial. The vast majority of hydrangea plants like a spot with morning sun followed by shade in the afternoon. But, all is not lost if your chosen spot doesn't meet that criteria, as some hydrangea plants thrive in shade while others can handle full sun.

With that in mind, it's important to choose the right type of hydrangea for your yard — at least for the portion of your yard in which you wish to plant them. That may mean utilizing multiple varieties, as shade and soil conditions can vary substantially in different sections of your yard. So, be sure to note the amount of shade or sun in each spot you hope to put hydrangeas in before choosing your plants. Otherwise, you may find your hydrangeas struggling to grow.

When it comes to hydrangeas which tolerate shady conditions, climbing hydrangea (Hydrangea anomala petiolaris) is among the best choices. Although it grows best with partial sun in zones 4-8, it will still grow well and bloom in the shade. As a result, it can be used as cover for fences, trellises, walls, and tree trunks that may obscure too much sunlight for other hydrangeas.

Oakleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia) is popular not just for its colorful summer blooms, but also for its splendid display of fall foliage. Additionally, this variety of hydrangea — that thrives in warmer zones 5-9 — offers aesthetically pleasing spring bulbs and a unique peeling bark in winter, making it a full four-season attraction. It is also known for its versatility, as it will grow and bloom in a variety of conditions, including full shade. In fact, it is often considered the best variety of hydrangea to grown in shady conditions.

Known for its large, long-lived blooms, 'Limelight' hydrangea (Hydrangea paniculata 'Limelight') sounds like it should be displayed in full sun. And, although it excels in partial shade, like most panicle hydrangeas, it will do quite well in full sun and is quite heat tolerant. On the opposite end of the spectrum, 'Limelight' is also among the more cold tolerant varieties, thriving in zones 3-8. Additionally, if you find the large blooms on a plant that can spread up to 8 feet to be a bit much, there is a dwarf version.

Another sun-loving hydrangea with a name to match is the Quick Fire® hydrangea (Hydrangea paniculata 'Bulk'). In addition to its colorful blooms, Quick Fire® is known for its rapid growth. It is extremely drought tolerant and is a good choice if you are attempting to create a privacy hedge with hydrangeas. Successful in zones 3-8, it is a repeat bloomer, providing flowers both early and late in the season. The plant actually does best with plenty of exposure to sunlight, preferring only partial shade at most. 

'Pinky Winky' hydrangea (Hydrangea paniculata 'DVP PINKY') is yet another variety of panicle hydrangea that excels in sunny areas in zones 3-8. Its conical-shaped, ombre-shaded flowers that fade from a pink base to a white tip are its most distinctive feature. Although its name and sun-loving characteristics may suggest otherwise, 'Pinky Winky' is actually one of the more winter hardy varieties of hydrangea as well. Like Quick Fire® hydrangea, 'Pinky Winky' is also an excellent choice for use as a hedge.