I usually first place the pot in bright shade and then switch them to 1-2 hours of morning sun and then to their final spot. Direct placement on the ground would depends on whether their location at the nursery was already giving them sun or not. If it did and they appear large enough and happy enough, I have planted them directly on the ground too. Since Smooth hydrangea can handle more sun than mopheads and grows a lot fast, you might be able to plant on the ground now and be ok but do not wait until the summer to do that; regardless what you decide, I am sure the plant will "tell" if the sun bothers it. Hee hee hee!

I kill about half the plants left in pots, so I have learned that plants put directly in the ground, mulched, and given water as needed for the first season do better for me. I rarely lose anything planted in the ground other than to voles during the winter.

I would plant them outside..2 small Annabelles grew really large in no time in my yard..

I also kill potted plants. When planting out babies shade helps. Put a couple of stakes next to them and lean something against it to shade the plants from full sun.

H Arborescens take quickly to the ground (1-2 years) and grow in more difficult soil conditions than macs.

garden gal, see what happens when i don't wear my glasses! LOL. Thanks to you and every one else for the advice. I planted the hydrangeas in the ground and watered them in really well.