When it comes to choosing the best hydrangeas for shade, the first thing to note is that most varieties prefer partial shade anyway. If your yard receives direct sunlight for several hours a day, this is known as partial shade. Hydrangeas do best in this type of moist shade, where it is neither too sunny nor too shady.
The dream scenario for most hydrangeas is a mix of morning sun and afternoon shade. Hydrangeas that like these conditions include those with large leaves (H. macrophylla), as well as oak hydrangeas (H. quercifolia) and mountain hydrangea (H. serrata). Having said that, some types of hydrangea prefer to spend even more time in the shade, especially if you live in a warm climate. Hotter, drier weather conditions generally mean your hydrangeas will need more shade, as they hate baking in the sun and wilt in hot weather.
Now learn more about why hydrangeas are sure to be a successful shade garden idea as you plan your planting, plus the varieties that made our shortlist to help you find the best hydrangeas for shade .
What types of hydrangeas can I plant in the shade?
The ideal conditions for growing hydrangeas are a mixture of sun and shade, and protecting them from extreme heat
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Hydrangea can bloom in a little darkness. We’ve selected a range to cover everything from climbing plants for shade to snowdrops for growing in containers.
Here are 6 shade-loving hydrangeas that will add color and foliage to even the shadiest of spaces.
1. Panicle hydrangea
Hydrangea paniculata ‘Limelight’
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Hydrangea paniculata varieties have cone-shaped inflorescences known as panicles. One of the most sought-after varieties in this category is ‘Limelight’, which certainly earns its name. The large, pale green-looking flowers fade first to a soft white and then to a beautiful pink. The blooms last for months and still look beautiful in winter even when they have faded.
‘Hydrangea paniculata ‘Limelight’ is a bushy shrub that prefers full sun or partial shade, says Susanna Grant author of Shade: Bloom Gardener’s Guide (available on Amazon). “In my garden, with only a few hours of afternoon light, it’s a plant that looks a lot more airy, and I prefer it that way.”
A snap to grow, this robust and reliable shade-loving shrub is a prolific bloomer you can count on year after year to add a wonderful lighting quality to shady spots. This variety will reach a height of about 8 feet and also thrives in a pot as a specimen plant as long as the pot is large enough. It can also be used to create an informal hedge to limit a path.
Endurance zone: 3-8
Limelight hydrangea bush
PRICE: $25.95
MAGNITUDE: 1 quart
2. Climbing hydrangea
(Image credit: Perry Mastrovito/Alamy Stock Photo)
A wonderful plant to cover a shade hedge, or a north-facing wall in city yards, climbing hydrangea petiolaris it can grow up to about 20 meters in height. Once established, it grows quickly but is easy to control by simply cutting it back after flowering has finished.
“This is one of the most sought-after climbers for its beautiful flowering cover,” says Rich Christakes, founder of the plant-based marketplace Ship My Plants. ‘This hydrangea can thrive in full sun, partial shade or shade, making it a versatile choice for any landscape.’
The prolific white flowers of petiolaris varieties will lighten the gloom in any shady yard. It is an especially good choice if you like the idea of combining cool and classic colors of green and white planting.
Endurance zone: 4-9
Climbing Hydrangea Hydrangea petiolaris
Price: $28.95
Size: 1 quart
3. Bushk hydrangea
Hydrangea quercifolia “Snow Queen”
(Image credit: Daily Art Photography/ Alamy Stock Photo)
Also known as hydrangea quercifolia, this variety has large dark green leaves that turn gorgeous shades of red, bronze, and purple in fall—it also makes the perfect colorful front yard plant. Add some attractive white flowers to the mix (lasting from mid-summer to late autumn) and you have a real winner.
It’s a great choice if you’re looking for a shrub to fill a shady corner of your yard as it works so well with everything else. Oakleaf hydrangeas don’t need as much sun as other hydrangeas, which means they work well in an unloved northeast corner of your yard to create a focal point.
Look out for the variety ‘Snow Queen’ with its straight panicles that turn soft pink. The Royal Horticultural Society gave it a Garden Award of Merit and the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society gave it a gold medal award, and we think it doesn’t get much better than that in terms of great credentials.
Endurance zone: 5-9
Hydrangea quercifolia Gatsby
4. Smooth hydrangea
Hydrangea arborescens ‘Annabelle’
(Image credit: Federica Grassi/Getty Images)
This variety of hydrangeas really ticks the box, and its enduring popularity is for good reason. ‘Annabelle’ is one of the most beautiful hydrangea arborescens varieties to consider for your yard, with white pompom blooms that look like giant snowballs. It is what is known as a “smooth” variety of hydrangea, native to much of the southeastern United States, from southern Illinois to northern Florida and from New York state to Oklahoma.
This variety loves the warm morning sun, but does not like the afternoon heat. So the best place to plant it is in a sheltered spot that offers morning sun and afternoon shade. Six hours of sunlight per day will help the flowers show up best, so study how the sun moves around your yard to determine the right spot before you plant it.
This is a hydrangea that will not bloom in a position that is in full shade, as this limits flower production. If you live in a hot climate, you may find your plant wilting or even getting sunburned if not provided with adequate moisture or afternoon shade. Knowing how to deadhead hydrangeas is essential if you notice your blooms withering. It is also best to choose a partially shaded border for this stunning variety.
Endurance zone: 3-8
Annabelle Hydrangea Shrub
Price: $24.95
Size: 1 quart
5. Hydrangea with large leaves
Hydrangea ‘Let’s Dance Can Do’
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Also known as French hydrangea and hydrangea macrophylla, these flowers come in mophead varieties with large round blooms, as well as lacecap varieties with flat clusters of small flowers. If you like big color, this is a great hydrangea choice.
Ideal conditions to get the most flowers and healthiest foliage include moist, well-drained soil in full sun to shade. Give large leaf types morning sun to thrive, but too much sun and they can burn. In areas with very hot summers (USDA zones 7 and warmer), some afternoon shade will keep the leaves from browning.
“One of the big-leaf hydrangea trials that showed great early performance was ‘Let’s Dance Can Do,'” says Lorraine Ballato, author of Success with Hydrangeas: A Gardening Guide. Usually, a hydrangea needs a season in my garden to acclimate and get its mojo. Not this one! It bloomed the first season it was planted and has been stunning ever since. I have it planted in more shade than sun and I still get flowers.’
Look out for cultivars in the ‘Endless Summer’ series as well. For all your small garden ideas, these work well in small city yards and will also thrive in patio containers.
Endurance zone: 5-9
Brighter Blooms – Endless Hydrangea Bigleaf Pop Star
PRICE: $119.99
it Was: $189.99
Size: 3 gallons
6. Dwarf hydrangea
(Image credit: Kristina Igumnova/Getty Images)
Most hydrangeas grow very well in pots, although it’s still a good idea to take care of dwarf varieties in order to keep them under control. Caring for potted hydrangeas is essential, so make sure you don’t place potted hydrangeas in an area where they will dry out too quickly.
If you plant a hydrangea in a large container, you can repot it as needed to stop your plant wilting when temperatures rise. Alternatively, if yours is positioned in a sun trap but too heavy to move, cover it with an umbrella during hot spells to avoid wrinkled leaves and dry, papery flowers. Many hydrangeas are sold specifically for container gardening. They tend to be smaller and more compact varieties. Look out for small varieties that really deliver such as H. macrophylla ‘Mini Penny’ and H. paniculata ‘Little Lime’.
Water container hydrangeas regularly to ensure the compost doesn’t dry out and to keep the food moist throughout the spring and summer for a long-lasting display of beautiful blooms.
Munchkin Dwarf Oak Hydrangea
Price: $34.99
Size: 2.5 quarts
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Why shade-loving hydrangeas will thrive in your yard
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There are many positives about growing hydrangeas in shady spots. One of the main plus points is that although they tend to grow more slowly, they have much stronger growth and much more lush foliage.
They will bloom even longer, months instead of weeks, when they are not exposed to the kind of hot sun found in the south. Shaded soil conditions will also tend to be much more favorable. Hydrangeas like moist, well-drained soils and in shady locations will tend to stay that way as they are protected from harsh sun.
As long as they get a regular hit of sunlight in the morning, your hydrangeas will be happy spending the rest of the day in the shade.