What exactly qualifies as partial shade? (I'm grabbing at straws here.)?

Question

I am very VERY new to gardening. This morning I bought five beautiful hydrangeas and I've spent ALL DAY preparing the beds to be planted. In doing this, I noticed that this area doesn't EVER receive what I would call direct sunlight. I really want to plant them there, will they work?

Answer 1

Simply put: ---Hydrangeas need at least the Morning Sun

Answer 2

The term “partial shade”? When used to describe a plant’s needs, it means that the plant will do best in—or can withstand—sunlight for just half a day. For example, there are numerous plants, such as hostas, lungworts and primroses, that perform beautifully in morning sun but cannot tolerate the heat of midday or early afternoon. Conversely, sun-lovers such as black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia spp.) and purple coneflower (Echinachea spp.) can withstand half shade if it is in the morning.

All hydrangeas will bloom and grow well in morning sun and afternoon shade. They also handle intermittent, dappled light that gives them shelter from the heat but adds up to several hours over the day.
If you live in the northern half of the U.S., you can grow your hydrangeas in more than just a half day of sun but the hotter the climate the more shade they need in the heat of the day.
They need moist soil so often fail if planted with trees due to lack of water not sun. If grass won't grow in the area, hydrangeas probably won't either.

There is a light meter for the garden
http://www.gardeners.com/Sun-Calculator/default/StandardCatalog.Landscaping_LandscapePlants.35-940.cpd?SC=XNET8019

Answer 3

Partial Sun / Partial Shade: These 2 terms are often used interchangeably to mean 3 - 6 hours of sun each day, preferably in the morning and early afternoon.

- However if a plant is listed as Partial Sun, greater emphasis is put on its receiving the minimal sun requirements.

- If a plant is listed as Partial Shade, the plant will need some relief from the intense late afternoon sun, either from shade provided by a nearby tree or planting it on the east side of a building.

Answer 4

Generally you need some morning sun for hydrangeas. Some will, however, do well in dappled shade. Three hours of sun is best for them; with some afternoon shade, ideally.

Answer 5

Partial would be like near a tree or some sort of building........I have always had luck with mine planted on the north side of my house...I think it would be ok to plant where you wanted to..

Answer 6

read the web page below.

http://www.hydrangeashydrangeas.com/planting_fert.html