Hydrangeas have long been associated with shady areas, often used to bring life and color to places where many other plants struggle to grow. However, can this magnificent plant thrive in full sunlight? Yes, there are hydrangea varieties that flourish under full sun, soaking up its warmth all day long.
You can use these hydrangeas to decorate your walkways and driveway, enclose your patio, brighten your outdoor seating areas, or soften the fence. Whether you want a subtle, delicate touch or to make a bold statement, there’s a sun-loving hydrangea that fits the bill.
Take a look at the best hydrangeas for full sun below.
Best Hydrangeas For Full Sun
1. Hydrangea Paniculata
Also called panicle hydrangea, this variety is native to Japan, Korea, and China. You won’t go wrong with this variety if you seek a hydrangea variety that flourishes in full sunlight. Unlike other hydrangeas that have rounder, morphed blooms, panicle hydrangeas feature large, conical flowers.
The flowers are creamy-white initially, then turn red, pink, or even green. Panicle hydrangeas are drought-resistant, hardy, and do well in various climates (they can withstand cold winters).
Best Panicle Hydrangea Varieties for Full Sun
a) Bobo
This compact hydrangea looks splendid as white flowers that transition to beautiful pink hues cover this plant entirely. Due to its size (it grows to a width and height of 3 feet) and upright growth habit, bobo is perfect for small spaces, borders, and container gardens.
Bobo takes longer to grow, reaching full height in around two years.
Hardiness zones: 3-8
b) Limelight
This large (it grows to about 6-8 feet tall and wide) shrub is a tried and tested sun lover. While it thrives in full sunlight, limelight also handles partial shade. Due to its size, this hydrangea makes a great hedge and privacy screen plant.
Its large lime-green flowers turn soft pink or burgundy as fall approaches. Limelight also tolerates heat and cold.
Hardiness zones: 3-9
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c) Little Lime
If the limelight seems too big, grow its dwarf version- little lime that’s about 3-5 feet. Like limelight, this variety spots lime-green blooms that turn later on turn pink. Although it makes an excellent hedge, its height offers limited privacy.
Hardiness zones: 3-9
d) Quick Fire
Grow this variety for some stunning fall foliage in burgundy and gold. Quick Fire is among the first bloomers, flowering several weeks before other varieties. As the season advances, its white flowers transition to deep red.
Quick Fire loves full sun, preferring five or more hours of sunlight.
Hardiness zones: 3-8
e) Pinky Winky
This variety is popularly known for two-toned flower heads with white flowers at the top and pink towards the bottom, creating a dramatic display.
While Pinky Winky thrives in full sunlight, partial shade is good, especially in hot areas. Pinky Winky is 6-8 feet in height and width.
Hardiness zones: 3-8
f) Fire Light
This panicle hydrangea variety will stand ablaze in your garden. Its white flowers turn brilliant, fiery pomegranate red as the season advances. It tolerates different soil types and excels in full sun.
Hardiness zones: 3-8
g) Grandiflora
Glandiflora or PeeGee can grow pretty tall, reaching 15 feet; hence, it is a good fit for large gardens. You can grow it in tree or shrub form. Grandiflora’s white flower heads gradually turn rose pink and endure all summer.
Hardiness zones: 3-8
2. Hydrangea Arborescens
Commonly known as Smooth Hydrangea, this variety is an eastern United States native medium-sized shrub. Hydrangea arborescens are renowned for large, dome-shaped flower heads that reach a diameter of up to 12 inches.
Their blooming periods typically start in mid-summer and can persist into fall. The colors of their flowers aren’t affected by soil pH.
Smooth Hydrangea Varieties for Full Sun
Incrediball
This hydrangea boasts enormous pink or white ball-shaped flowers that gradually become green as fall approaches. Its robust, upright stems can support the blooms with minor drooping. Consider this mounding shrub for your perennial garden or borders.
Incrediball grows to 4-5 feet high. While it performs excellently in full sun, some shade in the afternoon in hot climates would be best.
Hardiness zones: 3-8
Invincibelle Spirit
It’s an improved and new Annabelle version that spots rosy pink flowers, departing from the classic white. Invincibelle Spirit reblooms, providing color continuously into fall, where they dry out as green. Grow it as a hedge, border plant, or with other perennials.
It does well in full sun to partial shade, but ensure you water it adequately in sunny locations.
Hardiness zones: 3-8
Incrediball Blush
This attractive shrub has stunning, large, soft pink flowers and strong stems to support them. Incrediball Blush can handle fun sunlight provided you water it sufficiently.
Hardiness zones: 3-8
Haas’ Halo
If you want pollinators in your garden, grow some Haas’ Halo. It will do well in full sun, but protect it from afternoon sunlight to protect the delicate blooms.
The dainty flowers feature large, flat flower heads with white outer floret rings surrounding a center of smaller, fertile flowers.
Hardiness zones: 3-9
Lime Rick
You could grow this compact, hardy hydrangea in your garden’s sunny areas or in containers to display in different places, including the front steps. The pretty, large, disc-like flowers suit cut arrangements.
At first, the flowers are light green and then turn dark green with pink pollen that attracts butterflies and bees.
Hardiness zones: 3-8
3. Hydrangea Quercifolia
Oakleaf hydrangeas can grow tall, some reaching 8 feet or even more. They stand out for their large, deeply lobed leaves. Oakleaf hydrangeas make gardens fabulous as their foliage turns vibrant red, orange, and purple.
In cooler areas, full sun can help this hydrangea to bloom profusely. Consider providing afternoon shade in hot climates.
Oakleaf Hydrangeas Varieties For Full Sun
Snowflake
It stands out for elongated double-flowered blooms that look like cascading snowflakes. As the creamy white flowers age, they take on pinkish shades. Also, the deep green foliage turns red, orange, and burgundy in fall.
A mature snowflake is about 4-6 feet. It performs best in part shade or full sun.
Hardiness zones: 5-9
Ruby Slippers
The ideal spot to grow your Ruby Slippers is an area that gets 5 hours of direct sunlight daily. Established Ruby Slippers are drought tolerant and perform well in full sun. This plant grows with an upright, branched habit.
It’s best suited for borders and smaller gardens due to its size (around 3-4 feet in height and width).
Hardiness zones: 5-9
Gatsby Gal
This sun-loving hydrangea is characterized by fall’s deep red foliage. Gatsby Gal is a fantastic choice if you are looking for a container plant as it grows to 5-6 feet wide and high. In early summer, it produces plenty of white, panicle, fragrant blossoms, which turn pink in fall.
Hardiness zones: 5-9
4. Hydrangea Serrata
Hydrangea Serrata are commonly called serrated hydrangea or mountain hydrangea. This elegant variety, which is known for serrated edges, delicate flowers, and compact size, is native to Japan and Korea. This plant is for you if you seek a graceful, more refined hydrangea.
Hydrangea Serrata Varieties for Full Sun
Tiny Tuff Stuff
With a maximum height of not more than 2 feet, Tiny Tuff Stuff is perfect for tiny spaces, as well as container gardens. This reblooming flower has narrow, small, dark green leaves and produces lots of dainty blooms (they are typically blue but can be white or pink).
Aluminum sulfate affects the color of the blooms, encouraging more blue flowers. Tiny Tuff Stuff enjoys rich, well-drained soil. It thrives in full sun, but ensure you protect it from heat stress.
Hardiness zones: 5-9
Bluebird
It grows well in full sun or partial shade but favors partially shaded areas not exposed to harsh afternoon sun. Bluebird has blue, dense, showy flowers in lacecap, rounded clusters. Its leaves are slightly coarse and could turn yellow or reddish-brown in fall from its usual dark green color.
Hardiness zones: 5-9
5. Hydrangea macrophylla
Hydrangea macrophylla, or bigleaf hydrangea, is among the most widely recognized hydrangea species. This classic flowering plant is often a staple in any garden that needs spectacular texture and color display. It features large, rounded flowers that are either lacecap or morphed.
Bigleaf hydrangeas are native to Japan and grow to approximately 3-6 feet tall and wide. These hydrangeas fit various landscape settings, including borders and containers.
Hydrangea macrophylla Varieties for Full Sun
Cityline Series
This series of compact bigleaf hydrangeas contains about five sun-loving varieties. These tiny plants (1-3 feet) are ideal for container planting, small spaces, and urban gardens.
- Cityline Paris- Its leaves are deep green, while the flowers are bright red or pink.
- Cityline Venice- Its large, bold, pink flowers change green with age.
- Cityline Mars- This hydrangea has beautiful pink or blue blooms with white borders.
- Cityline Rio- It has purple-blue flowers with green edges.
- Cityline Vienna- big, blue or pink, morphed flowers cover this neat plant.
Note
Although these Cityline series varieties thrive in full sun, afternoon shade is beneficial in hotter climates.
Final Remarks
The hydrangea varieties above are a testament that this enchanting plant can take full sunlight. So, go ahead and choose a sun-loving hydrangea for your home’s sunkissed areas. Remember that growing hydrangeas in full sun comes with added responsibilities like more watering. Also, select an area that gets full sun and some relief from heat during the hottest hours.
Hey there, I’m Derek Schew, a writer for Lawnholic.com, where we cover everything and anything related to lawns. As someone who’s spent countless hours tending to my own lawn, I’m passionate about sharing my knowledge and helping others achieve the perfect yard. From lawn care tips to product reviews, I’m committed to providing our readers with the most accurate and up-to-date information available. So whether you’re a seasoned lawn enthusiast or just getting started, I invite you to join our community and discover the joys of a lush, green lawn.