These shrubs usually need 6 hours of morning sun in the summer in order to flower but need protection from hot afternoon winds. Looking for an evergreen for the shade? Click on the link to ‘Broadleaf Evergreens’ and you will find many choices.
Hydrangea
Annabelle Hydrangea
Hydrangea arborescens ‘Annabelle’
Height: 5′ Spread: 5′
Stunning pure white flowers, much larger than others of the species – up to 12 inches across! Blooms appear in late spring to summer, often continuing into fall. .
Flowerfull ®Hydrangea
Hydrangea arborescens
Height: 5′ Spread: 5′
Stunning pure white flowers, much larger than others of the species – up to 12 inches across! Blooms appear in late spring to summer, often continuing into fall. Stronger stems that support the heavy heads of this Smooth Hydrangea.
Bobo ®Hydrangea
Hydrangea paniculata ‘ILVOBO’
Height: 3′ Spread: 3-4′
Dwarf compact hydrangea loaded with beautiful white flowers each summer, that turn pink later on in the season. The stems on this plant are also very strong, providing great upright support for the large blooms.
Berry White ®Hydrangea
Height: 7′ Spread: 5′
This variety has abundant, long lasting, rounded flower heads that start white and progress to pink, intense raspberry red and finally wine red. Flowers start blooming in July and take on red coloration early in the season. Flower color is best when night temperatures begin to cool.
Candy Apple ™Hydrangea
Height: 5′ Spread: 5′
A new, irresistible variety with the same show-stopping lime green flower clusters as Limelight, but a more compact form. The exquisite, long-lasting blooms on very sturdy stems start lime green, age to pure white, then take on a dusty-rose blush in late summer, particularly where the blooms are hit by direct sun. Gorgeous in fresh or dried cut flower arrangements. Ideal for use as a container plant or a focal point for smaller gardens. Deciduous.
Diamond Rouge ®Hydrangea
Height: 5′ Spread: 4′
This variety has abundant, long lasting, rounded flower heads that start white and progress to pink, intense raspberry red and finally wine red. Flowers start blooming in July and take on red coloration earlier in the season than other pink hydrangeas of the same type.
Firelight ®Hydrangea
Height: 7′ Spread: 5′
Known for huge, white summer flowers that transform into deep reddish-pink or pomegranate-red by fall, supported by strong stems, this variety has abundant, long lasting, flower heads that start white. Flower color is best when night temperatures begin to cool.
Incrediball Blush ®Hydrangea
Hydrangea arborescens ‘NCHA4’
Height: 4-5′ Spread: 4-5′
Stout stems and massive blooms that are a beautiful silvery-pink. Reliability with improved stem strength.
Incrediball Hydrangea
Hydrangea arborescens ‘Abetwo’
Height: 4-5′ Spread: 4-5′
An improved version of the garden classic ‘Annabelle’ hydrangea, but with strong, sturdy stems that don’t flop over and extra-large blooms. White flowers begin to appear in mid-summer and open to enormous snowballs.
Invincibelle Ruby ®Hydrangea
Hydrangea arborescens ‘NCHA3’
Height: 3-4′ Spread: 2-3′
Dark burgundy red flower buds of open to a two-toned combination of bright ruby red and silvery pink. The foliage is extra dark and stems are strong. It is a strong rebloomer .
Invincibelle Wee White ®Hydrangea
Hydrangea arborescens ‘NCHA5’
Height: 1- 2.5′ Spread: 1- 2.5′
Naturally grows as a tidy, rounded mound with each flower emerging a soft, blush pink before changing to white, and is held up on a strong, supportive stem. Blooming begins in early summer and continues through frost.
Little Lime ®Hydrangea
Hydrangea paniculata ‘Jane’
Height: 3-5′ Spread: 3-5′
Award-winning dwarf of ‘Limelight’ hydrangea. Summer flowers open on strong stems of soft green and turn pink and burgundy in fall.
Little Lime Punch™ Hydrangea
Hydrangea paniculata ‘ SMNHPH’
Height: 3-5′ Spread: 3-5′
Little Lime Punch puts on an awe-inspiring show during the summer. Flowers are a brilliant shade of lime green, and as the growing season progresses, blooms change color, starting at the bottom of each cluster. The flowers turn white, pink and eventually settle into a rich red. As this hydrangea reblooms throughout the summer, the shrub will have flower clusters in various stages of the color transition.
Little Quickfire ®Hydrangea
Hydrangea paniculata ‘SMHPLQF’
Height: 3-5′ Spread: 3-5′
Dwarf form of ‘Quikfire’ hydrangea. Earlier blooming than other hydrangeas. White flowers transform to pink-red as summer progresses
Munchkin Oak Leaf Hydrangea
Hydrangea quercifolia ‘Munchkin’
Height: 3- 4.5′ Spread: 3- 4.5′
An exceptional U.S. National Arboretum introduction. Robust flower clusters open white and age to pink, remaining upright even after heavy rain. Dark green, deeply lobed oak-like foliage turns brilliant mahogany in fall. Compact and well-suited for smaller landscapes.
Pee Wee Oak Leaf Hydrangea
Hydrangea quercifolia ‘Pee Wee’
Height: 4′ Spread: 3′
A dwarf, four-season shrub perfect for smaller gardens. White spring flowers that fade to pink, beautiful fall foliage, and cinnamon-colored bark in the winter.
Phantom Hydrangea
Height: 6-8′ Sspread: 6-8′
The largest flower heads of any of its species – up to 15 inches long. The conical color-changing blooms unfold midsummer as a creamy white, then graduate to a blushing, soft pink as the summer progresses. A heavy bloomer with sturdy-stemmed flowers that do not flop.
Puffer Fish® Hydrangea
Hydrangea paniculata ‘NCHP1’
Height: 3-5′ Spread: 3-5′
As a larger, puffed-up version of Bobo, Puffer Fish® panicle hydrangea has white fluffy blooms that engulf the entire plant. The flowers open as a pure white bloom, and as they age, turn lime green with a fresh sprig of white flowers blooming at the tip of the panicle. Puffer Fish has a tight, compact growing habit with upright stems strong enough to hold its voluptuous blooms all season long.
Strawberry Sundae ®Hydrangea
Hydrangea paniculata ‘Rensun’
Height: 5′ Spread: 4′
Flowers emerge creamy white in mid-summer, change to pink as night temperatures drop. The fantastic flower color lasts well into fall. With its compact habit, this hydrangea adds spectacular color and impressive flowers to small space gardens or containers.
Vanilla Strawberry ®Hydrangea
Hydrangea paniculata ‘Renhy’
Height: 7′ Spread: 6′
The enormous flower heads are a blend of vanilla and strawberry, held upright on red stems. Flowers emerge creamy white in mid-summer, change to pink as the night temperatures drop and finally turn strawberry red. New blooms emerge as older blooms change color, giving the plant a multicolored effect in late summer and early fall. Plants grow upright, and then cascade later in the season. Excellent for fresh cut and dried flower arrangements.
Ruby Slippers Hydrangea
Hydrangea quercifolia ‘Ruby Slippers’
Height: 3.5′ Spread: 4-5′
Exceptionally large, white blooms in summer that quickly age to deep pink. Robust blooms remain upright even after heavy rains. Dark green, deeply lobed oak-like foliage turns brilliant mahogany in fall. The compact form works in smaller landscapes.
Snowflake Hydrangea
Hydrangea quercifolia ‘Brido’
Height: 4-6′ Spread: 4-6′
Intricate blossoms resemble magnified snowflakes! Bloom season is much longer than single flower species; florets continue to open throughout summer. Deeply lobed, oak tree-like leaves make a bold statement, especially in fall when the foliage turns brilliant purple and crimson.
Snow Queen Oakleaf Hydrangea
Hydrangea quercifolia ‘Snow Queen’
Height: 4-5′ Spread: 5-6′
Large, dense, white flower clusters are held upright above the dark green oak leaf-shaped foliage. The midsummer blooms develop a rosy-pink hue in the fall as the leaves turn deep red-bronze. Tan-brown exfoliating bark is attractive in the winter.
Centennial Ruby™ Hydrangea
Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Hokocentennial’ PPAF
Height: 3′ Spread: 3′
A special release to celebrate Monrovia’s 100th anniversary, the flowers of this hydrangea are simply stunning. The rich ruby-red mophead blooms deepen in color as the long-lasting flowers age, sometimes taking on almost black hues. Exceptionally sturdy and compact, with strong stems and thick green leaves. Reblooming. Deciduous.
Seaside Serenade® Hydrangea collection (from Monrovia Growers) includes 12 jaw-dropping hydrangeas with big, showy, and long-lasting blooms — among many other highlights.
These new-and- improved hydrangeas have a more compact, bushy growth habit, sturdier stems, thicker leaves, returning blooms, and longer-lasting flowers than other hydrangea varieties. They are great on their own or in mass in formal gardens or as a focal point in containers. And their cut blooms are lovely in a vase.
Eclipse® Bigleaf Hydrangea
Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Bailmacseven’
Height: 3-5′ Spread: 3-5′
The first true dark-leaf mophead hydrangea, offers season-long beauty with intense, dark purple leaves that hold their color, even in warm climates. The striking foliage, paired with gorgeous amethyst or cranberry-colored blooms, will pair perfectly with anything in the garden and are sure to make a dramatic impact. Use as a focal point in the garden or in decorative containers.
Developed to bloom reliably all season long, Endless Summer Hydrangeas are a show-stopping classic with glossy green foliage and blooms in all shades of pink, purple, and blue. These hydrangeas make an elegant stand-alone specimen or look great in group plantings. Flowers change color based on soil pH. Acidic soil (low pH) yields blue blooms, while alkaline soil (high pH) creates pink flowers, with purple or lavender appearing in neutral conditions.
Summersweet
Humming Bird Summersweet
Clethra alnifolia ‘Hummingbird’
Height: 3-4′ Spread: 3-4′
A profusion of fragrant white flower spikes attract butterflies. Compact habit makes it good for small gardens. Effective in mass, mixed into perennial borders or along foundations. Grows well in wet areas.
Ruby Spice Summersweet
Clethra alnifolia ‘Ruby Spice’
Height: 8′ Spread: 8′
Fragrant spikes of small rich rose-pink flowers stand above glossy green foliage in the summer. Compact habit makes this a good choice for small gardens in shrub borders and mixed into perennial borders.
Vanilla Spice ®Summersweet
Clethra alnifolia ‘Caleb’
Height: 3-6′ Spread: 3-5′
Deer resistant native plant that attracts butterflies and hummingbirds. Glossy dark green leaves set off the fragrant extra-large white summer flowers. Yellow fall foliage adds to its appeal. Ideal for mixed borders and naturalizing, especially wet and semi-shady sites.