Hydrangeas are some of the most well-known and beloved flowering plants around. They’re easy to grow and come in so many different colors and forms that you can find one for just about any situation.
But should you avoid growing hydrangeas when you have a shady yard or garden? No way! Several varieties of hydrangeas are perfectly suited for shade.
Types of Hydrangeas For Shades That Are Easy to Grow in Any Garden
Shade gardens are a great way to bring color and texture to any outdoor space. Hydrangeas offer stunning blooms for any garden. Some hydrangeas are good for those who want to plant them in shady areas.
Here’s a deep dive at some of the best types of hydrangeas for shade, along with tips on how to grow them successfully.
Best Bigleaf Hydrangea (Hydrangea Macrophylla) For Shade
Can hydrangeas grow in full shade? The answer is yes, but not all varieties of hydrangeas thrive in the shade.
When looking at the best hydrangeas for shade, big-leaf hydrangeas are one of the easiest to grow.
They do best in rich, moist, well-drained soil full of organic matter like manure or compost.
They can tolerate partial shade but produce more flowers if they receive at least six hours of direct sunlight every day during the growing season (late spring through summer and fall).
This type produces large, showy flowers in shades of deep pink, blue-purple, red-purple, or clusters of pure white flowers.
The blooms last on the plant for up to three weeks. They also have large leaves that turn bright red in fall before dropping off.
1. Big Daddy Hydrangea
One of the shade-tolerant hydrangeas, ‘Big Daddy,’ is a mophead variety that will produce flowers on old and new growth that emerges in spring.
If springtime cold weather destroys buds, this reblooming hydrangea thrives in summer if there’s enough morning sun to compensate for the lack of fertilizer and water.
Old-growth trees bloom in late spring and early summer, with new growth producing additional flowers from midseason through the end of autumn.
This 5-6′ tall shrub has snowball-like inflorescences (globose cymes) that grow to a whopping 12-14″ diameter; they’re pink in alkaline soils and blue in acidic ones.
Deltoid leaves are glossy dark green, growing up to 6″. It’s one of the best hydrangeas for zone 6.
2. Blaumeise Hydrangea
This is one of the bigleaf hydrangeas for partial shade. ‘Blaumeise’, or ‘Bluebird’ in English, is a compact lacecap hydrangea that belongs to the Teller Series of cultivars (Swiss series featuring names of native European birds) and is sometimes also sold as “Teller Blue,” “Blue Tit” or “Blue Sky.”
It grows 3-5′ tall and wide, blooming on old wood (flower buds are produced in the fall & over winter). It may be grown in acidic soils for blue florets or alkaline ones for pinker ones.
In acidic soil, the blue florets in a wildflower’s head are likely to be sterile. In alkaline soils, they’re often pink at first and change to a mixture of pinks and blues with age.
This is one of the best blue hydrangeas for sun or shade.
3. Endless Summer BloomStruck Hydrangea
This hydrangea variety for shade has flower heads—which are 3.5 to 5 in. wide and come in various shades of purple, depending on the soil pH level of their growing medium—are designed by nature to last all summer long.
‘BloomStruck’ grows to a height of 3–4 feet and a width of 4-5 feet. In fall, its stems turn reddish-purple while the leaves remain dark green with red veins. It’s one of the best hydrangea for zone 7.
4. Lady in Red Hydrangea
This prized shade-loving hydrangea has a long season of interest. In spring, the plant boasts red stems and deep green leaves with reddish veins—a lovely combination that lasts well into summer when flowers open pinkish white before maturing to blue-rose or rose pink.
And because hydrangeas grown in acid soils produce blue flowers, ‘Lady in Red’ will have the best red-pink color when grown in alkaline soil.
“Lady in Red” makes a stunning addition to any mixed, herbaceous border. It is especially appealing when combined with other hydrangeas—and it also makes an excellent cut flower.
5. Lilacina Hydrangea
This elegant plant’s outer sepals, or floral “hats,” are a vivid pink–or blue if the soil is acidic—and provide a stunning contrast with the violet-blue inner flowers.
In addition to its attractive color, Lilacina Hydrangea has a compact habit that makes it an excellent choice for gardeners with limited space.
The plant grows to just 3 feet tall and wide, making it ideal for planting in containers or borders.
Lilacina is a sun-hardy, shade-tolerant bush and is also one of the best hydrangeas for dappled shade.
6. Amethyst Hydrangea
Amethyst is a hydrangea type of hortensia. It has large sterile florets arranged in globular or “mopheads”-like panicles; it grows to be around 2-4 feet tall and dies back in the winter before reappearing next spring.
As its name suggests, amethyst tends towards purple when grown outdoors under optimal conditions—though much paler varieties also exist.
In July, clusters of shell pink or pale lilac florets (double and single) bloom in large rounded conical panicles for up to two months.
Sepals have serrations on the edges—large, obovate-shaped leaves with a lustrous medium to light green sheen that grows from an upright stem.
Best Hydrangea Arborescens (Smooth Hydrangea) For Shade
Hydrangea arborescens (Smooth Hydrangea) is a flowering plant that offers a long flowering period in the spring, with white, very fragrant blooms.
Considered to be among the best types of hydrangeas for shady gardens. It is a popular choice for those who have little sunlight in their yard and want to add some color to their landscape.
These plants grow best in moist soil and can be found growing wild along rivers and streams. The flowers tend to last longer than other varieties if cut after they finish blooming.
This can help extend the bloom time until late summer or fall when temperatures start to cool down again.
The flowers are often used as cut flowers to decorate homes and gardens. They can also be dried so that they last longer than fresh flowers.
7. Seaside Serenade Bar Harbor Hydrangea
Seaside Serenade® Bar Harbor Hydrangea is a robust variety with large white flowers on long, arching stems. The blossoms are excellent for cutting and last well in water.
It has shiny green leaves that retain their color through fall and winter (when seaside serenades® bar harbor hydrangea furniture is stunning).
This hydrangea is a woody, multi-stemmed deciduous plant with an oval to rounded form.
Its bold and coarse texture can be very effective in landscape design when combined with other plants with finer textures.
This shrub should be pruned during the late winter after the threat of extreme cold is over.
However, it requires very little maintenance and has no significant negative characteristics.
It is one of the best white hydrangeas for shade.
8. Annabelle Hydrangea
Annabelle hydrangea is a shade-loving variety of hydrangea arborescens. It has large white flowers that bloom every year, even after severe pruning or intense cold.
They bloom in huge, white bunches that ensure the garden’s beauty all summer. Some people grow them as a hedge because they can be cut back severely each winter to give a neat appearance.
Annabelle prefers full sun all day in southern areas, but afternoon shade or dappled shade during hot hours of the day should be provided for hydrangeas elsewhere.
9. Incrediball Hydrangea
The Incrediball hydrangea is a broadleaf, deciduous flowering shrub. Like the Annabelle variety of smooth hydrangeas (Hydrangea arborescens), it flowers on new wood and is hardy.
However, they tend to have stronger branches than other varieties. The name “Incrediball” may have been chosen for its ironic reference to the unusually large size of these flowers’ floral organs (up to 12 inches in diameter).
These shrubs have rounded leaves with sharply defined teeth, making them attractive to gardeners. Some use them as single specimens when planting a border along their property lines, while others include these plants among the foundation species of their landscaping schemes.
Although they produce larger flowers in full sun, Incrediball hydrangeas flourish in woodland gardens because of their shade tolerance. In addition, these plants attract butterflies with their large blossoms.
Best Hydrangea Paniculata (Panicle Hydrangea) For Shade
Hydrangea Paniculata is a beautiful, easy-to-grow flower that will give you years of enjoyment in your garden. These plants are easy to grow in the shade and sport many colors.
They can be grown as annual or perennial. The flowers will bloom all summer long with little maintenance required.
The Hydrangea Paniculata plant grows best in areas with full sun or shade. They can tolerate full shade and drought conditions but require regular watering during dry periods.
Plants should be planted in well-drained soil and mulched around the base of the plants to help prevent root rot and retain moisture during dry periods.
10. Firelight Hydrangea
Fire Light Hydrangea is an extremely hardy and durable plant, perfect for people who don’t have time for maintenance—or can’t seem to keep plants alive!
The shrubs get up to 6 feet tall, with large white blooms that change color from creamy white at the beginning of summer into vivid reds as it comes to an end.
This plant has strong stems, perfect for supporting its enormous flowers. Its sturdy stalks are great for flower drying and bouquet making—they’ll last a long time!
This shrub also makes an excellent hedge or garden planter when planted en masse.
These plants are often good to use in the garden as a foundation for other, more attractive varieties.
11. White Wedding Hydrangea
White Wedding Hydrangea is a great addition to any garden or landscape. The tall, sturdy plant produces crisp white flowers that give off a pillow-like appearance and grow upright on branches—the perfect hydrangea for people without much gardening experience!
It also isn’t fussy at all; this variety grows easily without too much attention from the gardener once established.
This hydrangea has a dense canopy of dark green leaves and sturdy upright stems. Its puffy white blossoms are held aloft on short stalks, giving the shrub an elegant appearance.
This hydrangea blooms profusely even in its compact form: The flower season begins in spring and continues through fall—allowing you to enjoy these pretty flowers for months at a time!
12. Limelight Hydrangea
Limelight hydrangea trees bear huge clusters of blossoms—up to 10 inches across—that last throughout the summer. As fall approaches, these flowers fade from green to white, cream, or pink.
Limelight hydrangea trees are a great choice for those who want to add some drama to their garden with large clusters of flowers.
These hydrangeas are one of the most cold-hardy varieties, making them perfect for growing in colder climates.
They also require less water and fertilizer than other types, so you won’t get burned to try to grow these beautiful flowers yourself!
13. Moonrock Hydrangea
Because of its large, densely-bloomed panicles and modern color combination—creamy white with lime green centers—Moonrock™ Hydrangea is destined to be a favorite among gardeners.
Not only are the flowerheads held out on exceptionally sturdy stems that don’t require much staking by comparison to older varieties.
In addition, the flowers of this vase-shaped deciduous shrub bloom late into the fall every year, so it is less susceptible to losing its blossoms during a spring freeze.
This nonstop display will begin in May and continue until early October. The beautiful green foliage of Moonrock™ Hydrangea turns yellow, orange, and red after the first frost.
It is perfect for use as a specimen plant or planted in large groups in specialist gardens such as moonlight gardens or white-themed landscapes.
Best Oakleaf Hydrangea (Hydrangea Quercifolia) For Shade
The oakleaf hydrangea, also known as Hydrangea quercifolia, has been a popular choice for shade gardens because of its ability to grow well in the shade. It is a deciduous shrub that grows to be about 40 feet tall and wide.
The leaves are lanceolate in shape with serrated edges that turn dark green in the summer months. They turn yellow and red in late summer before fading away in autumn.
Then, in early spring, they produce white flowers that are large enough to attract butterflies and hummingbirds. These blooms can last up to two weeks before dying on their own accord.
This hydrangea prefers moist soil with good drainage but will tolerate dry soil if necessary. It thrives best in full sun but tolerates partial shade so long as it receives at least 6 hours of sunlight daily.
Any location with poor drainage should be avoided as it can cause root rot if left untreated by digging deeper or adding more organic material near the roots, such as compost or mulch. Watering this plant regularly, especially during dry spells.
14. Tara Hydrangea
The Tara hydrangea is a hardy plant that can tolerate drought conditions. It is deciduous, meaning its leaves fall off each winter before returning in spring. The flowers are white-colored and bloom from spring to summertime.
This plant blooms during the fall, providing color to a landscape that might otherwise appear bleak and lifeless during cold winter.
15. Alice Hydrangea
Alice is a stoloniferous, deciduous shrub with an upright habit that grows 5-8′ tall (up to 12′ under optimum conditions). It is best known for its large flower panicles (10–14 inches long) and disease-free foliage.
Its pyramidal flower heads feature mostly sterile white flowers that bloom from June to late August, gradually fading to pink, then brown by the end of summer.
The leaves of this plant are oak-like in appearance, deeply lobed, and somewhat coarse. They turn attractive shades of bronze, maroon, or purple in autumn before falling off to reveal a rich brown inner bark that’s beautiful year-round.
16. Pee Wee Hydrangea
Pee Wee hydrangea, a deciduous shrub with summer-blooming flowers, is an outstanding choice for partially shady to sunny areas.
The white “spire” flowers on this plant are a great addition to your garden, no matter what time of year it is.
It also produces a bold combination of yellow, orange, and red-colored leaves that last long into the winter.
The cinnamon exfoliating bark gives it a distinctive look year-round. It’s the best oakleaf hydrangea for shade.
17. Munchkin Hydrangea
‘Munchkin’ is a dwarf hydrangea for shade. It is a compact shrub with dark green foliage that turns mahogany red in fall. Its white, 6.5 inches tall inflorescences are held upright above the foliage and gradually turn pink as they age—making for an attractive show through the season of bloom (late spring to early summer). ‘Munchkin’ can grow 3–4.5 ft tall and wide.
18. Snow Queen Hydrangea
Snow Queen, or ‘Flemygea,’ is a cultivar of Oakleaf Hydrangea and grows about 6 feet tall at maturity.
It tends to be slightly wider than tall, measuring 8 feet across in its full form. Its showy white flowers appear from late spring through early summer, aging naturally into pink as they die off.
19. Snowflake Hydrangea
This is a great cultivar for the garden. It has large flower heads of intricate double blossoms layered on top of one another, and its deeply lobed leaves are as notable as its reliably showy creamy-white blooms.
In addition, the foliage will produce outstanding fall color that makes this an excellent choice to add year after year—even more so when combined with other rich autumnal hues like reds or oranges.
Its stunning double flowers make it a beautiful addition to the garden. Its native habitat is along streambanks in the southeastern United States, but it can also thrive in mixed borders or woodlands.
Best Climbing Hydrangea (Hydrangea Anomala) for Shade
Hydrangea Anomala, or the climbing hydrangea, is a beautiful flowering shrub that is easy to grow in your garden. It is known for its beautiful blooms and lush foliage and is perfect for any shade-loving plants.
This plant has a thick trunk that can grow up to three feet tall, with multiple branches extending to support the weight of its flowers. The leaves are thick, dark green, and glossy in appearance.
They are also quite large in size and have a rounded shape. The flowers on this plant are white with pinkish-purple tinges along the edges of each petal.
It produces clusters of flowers at its tips during summer, which makes it great for attracting pollinators like bees and butterflies.
20. Miranda Hydrangea
Miranda hydrangea is a vigorous vine clings to brick and stone with aerial roots. Its dark green variegated leaves edging with yellow, creamy white, or ivory markings; they produce showy flowers in late spring to early summer.
Mature plants have exfoliating reddish brown bark that adds winter interest when vines are bare of leaves.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q. What Is The Best Hydrangea For Shade?
A. Oakleaf hydrangeas are best suited for shaded areas. In a shady spot, you can enjoy their springtime fuzziness, summer blooms, fall coloration, and peeling bark all year round.
Q. Which Hydrangeas Need The Least Amount Of Sun?
A. For gardens with little or no direct sun, Annabelle, Invincibelle, and Incrediball are three excellent hydrangea choices. All thrive in moist soil and enjoy shaded areas most of the day.
Q. Can Annabelle Hydrangea Grow In The Shade?
A. Annabelle hydrangeas grow best in areas with the partial shade that drains well but is not overly dry.
Conclusion
Hydrangeas are a great choice for shade gardens because they are easy to grow, come in a wide variety of colors, and there are plenty of options to choose from, especially in the hot summer and autumn.
If you’re looking for a way to add color, texture, and interest to your garden without having to deal with the maintenance of other plants, choosing the right hydrangeas may be right for you.