Paniculatas tend to also flower in bright shade for me here, albeit they do better in more sun in the north. The only concerns that I would have are if they would bloom as they are supposed to: white to pink to magenta for VS for example and if they would prematurely turn brown due to the summer heat (a problem that you would not have with your weaker sunlight exposure).

I have Little Lime in full but bright shade (leaves suffer here if they get sun) like you descrivbe and, on some years, LL blooms stay lime colored all season long and do not turn from lime to white; other years it does turn white. I suspect that in rainy/cloudy years for example, LL does that. Similarly, VS may thus start white as usual and have some difficulty turning the final shades of magenta. It may turn pink only for example or a light pink. Then brown.

My sun is stronger than yours so its indirect sunlight effect is stronger in full but bright shade. You may have similar results and-or also less blooms. Not sure... unless you or someone tries it. :o( I would recommend part shade at worst where you are. If you try, post your results after 2-3 years of regular winters/summers... That is about as long as they take to become established.

Thank you for the thoughtful and detailed reply. I’ll keep you posted on its progress.

Hard to say. Of all hydrangeas, paniculatas can handle the most sun, followed by Annabelle-like hydrangeas like Invincebelle.So you could say that they need or benefit more from more sun.

I also have an Annabelle in full but bright shade. The first one that I tried in those conditions had trouble changing from lime green to white. Took a while but it finally changed. I did not get too much out of it as it dried out during winter when the sprinkler did not work. I replaced it with another one. In a similar shady location. It blooms a lot for me in my stronger sun's full shade.

If you get one, keep it in the pot... try it for a season or two potted in that spot. Plant it in that spot when you decide that it will work there (or not).