maybe a paniculata?..NHBabs and luis will know..

Hello, J Goodell. What type of hydrangea are you talking about? Mophead/Lacecap Hydrangeas, Annabelle-type hydrangeas, Oakleaf hydrangeas, Pee Gee-type hydrangeas?

Hi Luis, we are open to any type that will survive this sort of sun, both in the ground and in large planters. Thanks.

Panicled hydrangeas should work for you since some of mine in NH get sun pretty close to all day. They typically start white and slowly shade to pink over the course of the season. Some of the most common ones are Limelight, Little Lime, Strawberry Sundae and Strawberry Vanilla, and Bobo. My favorites are the ones with really frothy light panicles rather than the more dense flower heads like Limelight, so I grow Quickfire, Pinky Winky, Fire and Ice, and White Diamond. Here is a thread where I posted some photos of QuickFire and Pinky Winky through the season. Quickfire blooms for about 4 months here, while many of the other cultivars are closer to 3 months, still a nice long bloom time.

Do you have measurements for your planters or can you add photos with something for scale?

I’m sorry, maybe I didn’t make the most sense here, I’m new to this. The plants will face NW but they’ll be against a the house. So the sun starts in the backyard and works it’s way around the house, hitting the front yard around 1:30-2:00pm. So they will only receive late day light. Sorry again.

Regarding the planters. They are 20H x 16W. Pretty substantial

Hi J, my thinking is maybe not enough Sun also the pots might be to small for Hys ... you would have to Winter protect in a shed or garage....there one Hys this year that might just be the fix for the pots ... Luis& NHBABS will have a better answer https://www.google.com/search?source=hp&ei=gC3iWsTdFOzI_Qar_ZSgBQ&q=wee+white+hydrangea&oq=weewhite&gs_l=mobile-gws-hp.1.0.0i10l5.2418.7562..8583...0....78.514.8..........1..mobile-gws-wiz-hp.....3..0j5j41j0i131j0i131i70i256.A%2BCUmGw7zLc%3D

I'd give paniculata a shot. They won't grow or bloom as densely as in full sun, but I think that they should bloom and grow for you there with 5 or so hours of sun plus how bright the shade will be for much of the morning. Why not try it with one for a couple of years to see how it goes? Or just go for it. I am fairly sure that nicholsworth55 has some paniculatas in more shade than in the spot that you are considering.

For the pots, I agree with hyed and would use a small smooth hydrangea (H. arborescens) such as wee white or mini-mauvette. Just make sure that they get watered really well so that they don't dry out. Or perhaps Bobo, the smallest of the paniculatas.

Thank you! Worth a shot! We will have drip irrigation installed to the planters so we’ll be sure to soak them pretty well

I don't think arborescens will be happy with sodden soil, but they can't dry out.

NHBabs is right..my paniculatas are in more shade than what's ideal..but I love them and have no regrets..

My sister lives in Boston - she is going with quickfire because of the whether/seasons: pretty sure to have a nice, long bloom.

As far as a pot, I have a little lime on my porch in a large pot. It is very happy and was the first of my paniculatas to leaf-out this year. Even though Pittsburgh is warmer, it was a rough winter and the little lime seemed perfectly fine. Mine gets morning sun: more light would be ideal, but it seems to be enough.

I never even thought of putting a Hydrangea in a pit...is this possible in MA? What do you do with it in the winter?

pic1-Endless Summer Original is the most promising this year..pic2-Pistachios(new last year)buds seem dead..pic3-Cupid(new last year)buds seem dead..pic4 Bloomstruck(year2)has base growth but buds seem dead..possible reasons for failure..lack of water?..but buds seemed alive when they came out of the shed(there's a post with pics of green buds)..too cold in my garage after I took them out of the shed?..even though it's never below freezing in the garage..