Which hydrangeas are more tolerant of the sun?

Although many hydrangeas can actually tolerate bright sun quite well, the logical consequence of a sunny location is often disastrous for them: dry soil!

If you want to keep your hydrangeas (Hydrangea) looking beautiful and healthy in the sun, they’ll need plenty of water and prefer soil rich in organic matter that doesn’t dry out quickly.

Still, the petals shouldn't get wet in the sun, because they'll wither right before your eyes…

For the reasons mentioned above, it is generally recommended—in short—that you avoid planting hydrangeas in a spot that is too sunny.

However, there are also hydrangea varieties that can tolerate the sun better.

Which hydrangeas are more tolerant of the sun?

Garden hydrangeas (Hydrangea macrophylla)

Varieties with dark-colored flowers can often tolerate more sun a little better. However, strong midday sun is not recommended. White flowers tend to dry out the fastest.

Tree hydrangea (Hydrangea arborescens)

Take the Annabelle varieties, for example. They can tolerate a sunny location much better. Still, it’s important to make sure the soil doesn’t dry out too much. The Strong Annabelle is even more resilient (and hardly bends at all, even during heavy rainfall).

Panicle hydrangea (Hydrangea paniculata)

The best hydrangea for a sunny spot is still the panicle hydrangea. These are less susceptible to drying out, and the flowers don’t wilt as quickly. There are now many cultivated varieties on the market. The main color is usually white, white-pink, or white-green.