They do fine here in my Mediterranean 9b (was just at a nursery yesterday that had huge boxed specimens sitting in full sun). However, best to ask locally as my 9b is very different from yours. Check to see where the nurseries nearby are holding them - in sun or in shade houses. That's often a dead giveaway.

how in the heck did you end up in FL????

i would check out local nurseries.. and if they dont sell them.. it would be a good clue as to your future success ...

you probably ought to visit some local gardens/ parks this fall ... to get a better feel for what is grown locally ... plus.. it might be fun ,... im sure the name that plant forum would love a bazillion ID requests ... lol ...

and there is the whole stalking the neighborhood for inspiration ...

ken

I can’t deal with the long winters anymore Ken...for my own mental health lol...and great idea I will do that As far as checking out the nurseries and neighbors for ideas...Sara, great tip thank you

Some Hydrangea paniculata varieties can have problems with not enough winter chill when grown too deep in the south causing them to not leaf out normally. So yes, checking to see if it's sold locally would be a good indication it will do okay.

Some Hydrangea paniculata varieties can have problems with not enough winter chill

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with that said.. if you gave up the cold north.. then give up the plants in the cold north ...

probably time for you to go tropical... and learn about all the things in FL.. rather than trying to bring all or your grandmas plant down south ...

i just dont get all the posts and peeps who move to warmer climes.. and then crave all the plants from where they left ... crikey..

ken

I wouldn’t plant them on the south side of a building in the Deep South like FL or TX. They would welcome afternoon shade. And you might not find that they have as much appeal in FL. From whatI can tell, this is a plant that likes cool nights to have well developed Red tones rather than just fading to brown. Maybe try The one that blooms later in the season, Tardiva, to see if it does better than the earlier blooming ones when your weather will be hotter.

They have no major issues in my extremely hot summers but you have to be aware of some things: you may want to cut the blooms when hurricane winds approach (helps minimize stem breaks); my aunt in Ocala had to provide around 50% more water than in normal soils due to her sandy soil; the leaves will look ragged in August if not given some afternoon shade and some evening shade; the blooms will prematurely brown out if it starts getting hot close to 100s.