Well, both will bloom in shade, but the real question here, is what kind of shade you're talking about. Deep dark shade is very different from partial shade or dappled shade or open, bright shade. Very few plants do well in the first type, most shade plants will thrive in the last three.

You know, its tough to answer that question. I am guessing dappled shade. What I usually look for is how many weeds are in the area. For example, there is a shady area where nothing seems to grow. In this area, there are tons of weeds.

I was wondering which hydrangea is more hardy and less maintenance?

Paul

Here, at least, the unquestionable answer to that is Annabelle. Oakleafs have hardiness issues in zone 5 New England. Since Annabelle blooms on new wood, even if it does die back, it's much less of an issue. It does need clean up pruning in the spring, but that's about it for maintenance.

I am curious, has anyone try using one of the peony rings for support?

Secondly, does Annabelle flower ever change color due to soil PH. I recall getting a blue hydrangea only to see it turn pink after planting.

Good call on the hardiness. It appears that Oakleaf is really a zone 6 plant.

Paul

Annabelle is an arborescens, and white, and never does turn pink or blue. I have a huge one that I never prune anymore (I used to cut it back every spring) and it has gotten bigger and more beautiful every year. There is a pink version, Invincible Spirit, which is gorgeous, but that one does not turn blue either.

Macrophyllas are the ones that change color according to soil ph. Most bloom on old wood, which is why they are not always reliable bloomers in the north as their buds get winter killed. There are some newer varieties that bloom on new wood.

Oak leaf hydrangeas are hardy here in zone 6, I don't know how much further north that is true.

All my hydrangeas are all planted in the shade and bloom well.

There are many other types of hydrangeas also, for some good info here is a link:

Here is a link that might be useful: hydrangeas

Yep, I use peony rings for mine.

My Annabelle has sun for about 3-4 hours in the morning and is in shade the rest of the day. She is quite happy, blooming her heart out every summer, even after being cut to the ground in years when the snow dump from the roof has crushed branches or the voles have removed all the bark. Mine sort of gets propped up by the large rhododendron on one side and a spirea on the other. Very low maintenance plant and I often have folks asking me what she is.

Oakleafs probably wouldn't grow well for me.

we live in a chgo. northern suburb ~~ have oakleaf hydrangeas growing beautifully ~~ three planted near foundation on the north side ~~ and three on the east side with a little bit of dappled sun/shade ~~

we were told that drainage is very, very important ~~ so we planted them a little *high* ~~

good luck ~~

My oakleaf hydrangea is 4 high and at least 6 wide. How, pray tell, is a peony hoop used for a mature plant? I'm scrounging the woods for some tall, thick forked sticks that can prop up the branches just a bit, so it's natural form shows better.
MT

Annabelle is pretty much fool-proof in colder zones - blooms on new wood exclusively.

I have several oakleaf and LOVE them! Huge flowers and fabulous foliage. BUT - I don't believe they are reliably hardy in colder zones. I do know that it took a couple years for mine to get fully established - took a lot of supplemental watering for a couple years, but now that they are fully settled they're pretty much carefree. I do have them close to the house, and they don't get too much in the way of winter winds, so I'm assuming that is why I have had no hardiness issues. They did suffer some branch dieback over winter those first few years, though, but have rebounded beautifully over time. I have mine in part shade (a couple under a redbud and a handful under a mature maple) and have noticed that the ones that get more sun bloom better compared to the others that get more shade due to the way the tree shades the area, and the ones in more sun get better fall coloration (fantastic deep burnt red color).

HTH :0)

Jeff - GORGEOUS oakleafs! The ferns compliment them beautifully :0)

Ditto! ^^^ What he said.

I'm a she :0)

Micki , zone 5, I have oakleafs, in full sun, little maintenance, all year bushes with different color blossoms, depending on season.