big leaf hydrangea are not in the picture. they are in kettle planters; got to get them in the ground soon. been testing locations for weeks. reeeeally feel best with making room at ends of the hosta location - on l y because of hostas thriving.

the white concrete planters have my grandma's Sedum, which is going in ground. the 4 concrete planters are used for winter color ontop the hosta bed.

oh! white building is a carport . falling winter snow wreaked havoc on my "formal hedge" (inkberry ) idea. so back to perennials.

Hosta progress can be seen in these 3 pics: 1st: Oct 2016. 2nd: 8 months later, summer 2017. 3rd: May 2018. the pics i posted above show more growth/blooms as of July 2018.

Do bigleaf hydrangea like similar light and soil? ive gotttt to get them thriving.

I would say none of those areas are sized sufficiently to accommodate the vast majority of bigleaf hydrangeas. Most will grow to at least 5'x5'....many will get quite a bit larger. If this a priority, I would focus only on the dwarf or very compact cultivars. Or remove and relocate the existing plants :-)

As stated in the original post I will move existing bricks rocks planners Etc out of the way. Again I'm trying to save the hydrangea I am more concerned about the next year than I am 5 years from now

I would be more concerned about plants being in the way - too much size competition. One will overwhelm the other. And with the hydrangeas, it will happen faster than you might expect. They can grow to size pretty darn fast.....certainly less than 5 years in a favorably mild climate.

im at a loss. . they are down to Charley Brown TWIGS with a few green leaves. they are greener now that theyve been in pots a few weeks- while im minding the afternoon sun.

these hydrangea have been in 3 places already. they dont grow, i lose leaves... then i move. each time, i pay more attention to LIGHT and COMPANIONS. (soil has has been great). the spots i showed have the LOWEST LIGHT, and/or are planted around similar plants. so again, if thats hosta and camellia, I've deduced my safest spot.

Many times hydrangeas in pots don't receive enough water to keep them thriving in Virginia's summer heat. Also, mine do not like to be pot bound for very long.

Your hydrangeas should like the same light conditions as your hosta. Your sedum look like they could use more light.

pots have only been the heat of summer (july, August) while i figure out sun for location.

sedum- huh? in the pots around the hostas? LOL, its been there from my Grandma - over 20 years now. im moving it to the ground as i get major plantings in place. Sedum is easy #benignneglect

@gardengal , decided to put the hydrangea here, with 2 mature azalea. site gets morning shade and intermittent afterrnoon sun though. the 2 camelia seem to be okay with it.

@NHBabs- i just asked about junipers and hedges. hoping i tagged it so you can respond!