ctlady, I know that ego45 has his theory about the lower sun requirement of Quick Fire.... I am waiting for him to chime in here... :-)

Ostrich, I have a theory about lower sun requirement for Limelight (in full sun lime-stage will be short(er) lived) :-))
In this particular case, when chosing position for QF vs LLamb, I would of rather look for the difference in habit, size of the plants and different bloom time and then decide where I would like to see one or another. Sun issue here will be less relevant than anything else.
The only factor that might play a [minimal] role here is that if part-sun position is from deciduous shade, QF being an early riser and bloomer could benefit from receiving more of the early spring sun, while it wouldn't be of any help to [still] dormant [at that time] LLamb.

George and Ostrich,

Thanks so much for responding! The afternoon shade is more a factor of movement of the sun over the house itself (compounded by a DEEP Dutch Colonial overhang). I am still a bit unsure what to expect from LL in terms of growth habit, but it sounds as if I should give it room to sprawl a bit, possibly drooping on the ground to some degree (though the plant I bought, which was large -- probably 2.5-3 feet tall already -- seems entirely upright in habit so far.) It has buds but hasn't yet bloomed so I suppose that may change. It's a bit of a gamble ... but was priced at the local farm market at a price point that was absolutely IMPOSSIBLE to pass up!! (Ditto for Quick Fire, which was just sitting there all alone on a plant bench at White Flower Farm, which was having a 30 percent off sale this weekend ... :)

For what it's worth, I have a Blue Billow in the same bed as Little Lamb, same light conditions, and it has done just beautifully so I'm hopeful LL will be equally happy. It is replacing a fairly unattractive boxwood and a large spirea, both installed by the previous owners, so I don't see how it can fail to be an improvement...

And it sounds as if QF will be fine in more sun by the patio (though in reality, it will get a bit of shade in the very early morning before the sun gets high enough to clear the nearby woods, and may benefit, as George notes, from the fact that this shade, such as it is, develops as the nearby woods leafs out -- so QF will have nothing but sun in the early spring). It is in bloom and positively sparkles! Both plants have plenty of room to grow up and out and I am looking forward to watching them do so. Blue Billow and another unidentified blue laceap are the sum total of my previous experience with hydrangeas -- this will be fun!

(Question: Do I need to do anything special for winter protection? I didn't for the Blue Billow, and it's done beautifully for two years (we moved it from my mom's garden in Washington, DC), but I've just read some threads that imply these plants need wrapping or other winter protection ("flatbox"?) Do they? I THINK I'm technically in zone 6 these days but would be on the 5-6 border I suspect.)

ctlady, these paniculatas are hardy plants, so I am sure that they will both do beautifully in your yard! :-) Please be sure to take some photos for us to see! I would love to see the Blue Billow!!!

Now, you do NOT need to do any winter protection for these lovelies, and that's exactly why us northerners love these paniculatas!

Have fun!

Hi, just thought I'd chime in. I planted QF last summer, and knowing he might like a little more sun put him where he gets bright sun from maybe 9-2 or 3. I was very concerned, in the first couple months, that I had made an error, because his leaves started to scorch. So I made him a little sun shade, and hoped that once he was established he'd be ok. Sure enough, this summer has been just as nasty as last, but QF has not even considered scorching, and has been blooming for 2 weeks now. So, I guess my point is, if you put QF where it gets more sun, it might need a little shade until established.

Happy planting!
Lara

Kind of late to the party here, but my Quickfire, in its third year in my garden, is in full sun all day long and thriving! I also didn't give it any Winter protection either, but then we were never without a blanket of protecting snow from early December.

One odd thing, though: it's a magnet for flies! Just about any time of day, it's swarming with them. Anyone have any idea why?

Bob

Hi Bob - They are sweet & darling - those beautiful blossoms are, don't you think & wouldn't you swarm around if you were one of them?!!! LOL Bees don't come to them for some reason - but they have other perennials they get better nectars from ... I'm glad they are back (only a handful last season - confused by cell-phone-towers, they claim!?)!

What I don't care for are a pair of black hornets - just 2 of them, last year also just a pair, kept landing & whizzing by around. I tried my grand-dau's catcher/net ... just too fast for this old gardener!!! Â;) I don't like spraying for fear of hurting the blossoms.

Any safe spray around?

Bob, my Quick Fire is absolutely beautiful, but just like yours, it's an absolute insect magnet!!! I am not sure why, and I never experienced this with my other hydrangeas before. Anyway, it has not done any harm to my QF, so I am just turning a blind eye to it, as I try to use sprays and things as little as possible...

Okay it sounds like Quickfire can take the sun but
I planted three of them on the east side with very
bright light and morning sun. Think it will be enough?
I get buzzing insects on my oakleaf blossoms.