How Much Sunlight Do Hydrangeas Need?

Blossoming

• The amount of sunlight hydrangeas receive can also affect how much they flower. University of Illinois Extension advises that "morning sun and afternoon shade is ideal for many hydrangeas."

Solutions

• Hydrangeas need a minimum of four hours of direct sunlight every day. To achieve the proper sunlight exposure for hydrangeas may mean cutting down or trimming large overhead trees.

Types of Shade

• Purdue University Extension lists the types of shade as "light shade, filtered through a tree; dense shade, created by woodlands and solid plants; or intermittent shade, caused by an obstruction blocking the sun for a portion of the day." Hydrangeas perform well in all but dense shade, where they can grow long and spindly and produce few flowers.