I agree with tsmith, as to amount of direct sunlight an Oakleaf Hydrangea can tolerate. The best blooming / growing cultivars in my garden and throughout the neighborhood, receive full afternoon or all-day sun exposure. Haven't experienced or observed any leaf scorch at all throughout the many years they have been growing. Be sure they receive good drainage, as they absolutely will not tolerate wet feet! Mulch and keep watered for the first couple of years, after the roots become established, you can pretty much ignore them.

Starlight I grow 3 hydrangeas at varying distances from the maple: 1 arborescens (6 feet), 2 macrophylla,Twist n' shout 9 feet, Endless summer 13 feet. The tree is in my neighbour's front yard and is seperated by their pathway from our yard, which is slightly higher 2-4 inches. The maple's canopy starts way up. But the roots are all over the place, and unless we have major showers no rain can past that canopy. H. arborescens is really big and continues to sucker all over the place. It is rarely watered in the summer. but it thrives. However, both macrophyllas are water hogs. Mulched, mulch-less they drooped especially the 1st 3 years. Remember my soil is 100% sand. In the first 3 years, I had to water it regularly. Sometimes every day (especially in heat waves) or every 2nd day. I just put the hose in it's crown and let them drink. However, since this year, 5th year, I have to water it much less. Maybe once a week if we don't have any showers. The plants are healthy and flower. Mine receive dappled light and some 1 or 2 morning sun. And the one that receives the afternoon sun hates it. In retrospect, if I had amended my sandy soil properly with organic matter, I might have a had a better result. SG the worse year with the hydrangea was a freaky one when the snow melted in mid March and then we had a freakish cold weather -4 wind chills etc. That killed all the top buds. Last year, during the polar vortex I couldn't cover the top buds of Twish and shout. Nothing happened to it. From my experience it isn't the winter but a roller coaster spring that can kill the confused buds on the old growth.

They are just getting started...I am in a contest with someone in N.C. to see who can grow the biggest one. They are getting more attention,fert,etc than ever so this could be a great year for them. However,wind hail and such can put an end to that at any time which is kind of a shame. Click for weather forecast

I'm in Cleveland and my Helleborus Niger has been blooming since Valentine's Day. I wish I'd planted it somewhere much closer to the door though since it blooms when the snow is flying I don't do many garden walks this time of year! They take several years to really get established and REALLY don't like to be moved so plan wisely. I like them especially since they're evergreen - it's a nice change from the junipers, pine trees and rhodys you see all around.