Gardens are often associated with hydrangeas – their showy and giant ball-shaped blooms are hard to miss. During summer, these big and beautiful flowers gracefully adorn many gardens with their colors. The common challenge is most of these hydrangeas prefer partial sun or shade. But what if your garden is in full sun? Are there any hydrangeas for full sun?
If you want to plant a hydrangea but are worried about the sun, don’t be. There are quite a few varieties of hydrangeas that can take the heat and still produce those gorgeous blooms.
6 Hydrangeas For Full Sun
Although the majority of hydrangeas enjoy some shade during the day, these ten varieties can take the heat and will still produce beautiful blooms. If you’re living in an area where it gets more sun than shade, don’t despair – you can still have hydrangeas in your garden.
Here are the best hydrangeas for full sun:
Lime Rickey
This hydrangea variety loves the full sun. With its large, disc-like blooms that start as light green and turn white, the Lime Rickey is a showstopper. It has an upright form with strong stems, making it ideal for cut flowers. And because of its sturdy stem, this can also withstand extreme summer heat and storms, making it a great choice for those who live in hot and humid climates.
The Lime Rickey can grow up to four to five feet tall, along with its blooms. It is also a great pollinator for other flowers in your garden.
Incrediball
The Incrediball is also called smooth hydrangea, and it can surely take sunlight pretty well. It produces large white blooms that are round and full. It is a medium-sized shrub that is originally from the Eastern United States.
You can find it in pink or white color, and it blooms during midsummer. What’s interesting about this plant is that its flowers slowly turn green as fall approaches. So if you’re looking for a plant that will give your garden some color even in autumn, this one might be the right choice for you.
Candelabra
The Candelabra is a type of hydrangea that produces blooms that look like chandeliers. It has long and slender flower clusters that are white or pale pink in color. This plant can reach up to six feet tall, making it one of the taller varieties on this list.
This plant is originally from Japan, and it is a deciduous shrub. It blooms in midsummer, and its flowers can last up to six weeks. The Candelabra is also drought-tolerant, so it can take full sun well.
Candy Apple
Candy Apple is a bit compact compared to the other varieties on this list. It only grows up to four feet tall. As a sun-loving plant, it produces large blooms that change in color during the season. It starts as pale green, turning white during the summer, and then it develops a pink and reddish hue as fall approaches.
This plant is perfect for small gardens or for those who want to add some color to their landscaping. It has perfectly dark green leaves, providing the perfect backdrop for its colorful blooms.
Grandiflora
The Grandiflora, also known as the Pee Gee Hydrangea, is a versatile plant that can be grown as either a tree or shrub. It can reach up to 15 feet tall, making it a perfect addition to any garden. Hardy in zones 3-8 and blooms large throughout the summer months. The plant gets its name from the Greek words for “large” and “flower,” and it certainly lives up to its name.
The blooms of the Grandiflora are showstoppers, and they are sure to add beauty and interest to any landscape. Despite their beautiful blooms, this hydrangea surely tolerates the sun pretty well. Its foliage showcases a deep green color that can last throughout the season.
Pinky Winky
Did you know that there’s a hydrangea variety that produces blooms in three different colors? The Pinky Winky is a deciduous shrub that has large, cone-shaped blooms. It gets its name from the fact that its flowers are pink when they first bloom, then turn white, and then back to pink again as they age.
This plant is a real eye-catcher, and it’s perfect for those who want to add some color to their garden. It blooms in midsummer and can reach up to six feet tall. Pinky Winky is also drought-tolerant, so it can take full sun pretty well. Because of its lush and full blooms, this stunning plant makes a pretty plant along the edges of a garden or walkway.
Hydrangeas for Full Sun: Final Thoughts
The majority of hydrangea varieties thrive in the shade. They make excellent foundation plants and can really brighten up a shady garden. However, there are also several varieties that grow quite well in full sun.
If you’re looking for a sun-loving hydrangea for your garden, any varieties on this list would be a great choice. Most of these varieties do well in USDA hardiness zones five through nine. Some even thrive in zone 10. So if you live in one of these zones, you’re in luck!