Thanks so much for your input! I can definitely keep them watered now. I've thought about other types of hydrangeas, but I'm really attracted to Endless Summer because I want to have blooms each year!

If you plant them on the eastern or northeastern side of your house or garden, that should be ideal. Morning sun and afternoon shade is the most desirable situation for macrophyllas, serratas and arborescens (Annabelle tyes). These all should have some sort of protection from the hottest part of the afternoon sun. IME, oak leaf hydrangeas and paniculatas can tolerate a lot more sun, with the paniculatas leading the way even up to full sun positions. Daily wilting is also not necessarily a sign of too much sun.......it can be common for any type of hydrangea in excessive heat and more so with newly planted ones compared to well-established plants.

Possibly. You can plant them now that temperatures are starting to cool down. Remember to maintain the soil moist and mulch with at least 3-4" of any type of acidic soil. You did not mention the name of the variety so I cautioned just in case your variety cannot handle your Zone 7 winters. If it cannot be planted in your zone then I suggest you keep it in a pot outside during the growing season. Then bring it inside during winter (as soon as the temperatures go below freezing and the plant becomes dormant). Place it in a garage but remember to water it (less than usual but still some) while in the garage. Potting soil can dry easily.

Hi Roger! Thanks for the layout diagram! How long is that whole section, Roger? That is a lot of digging and planting! Have fun! Roger, having seen your plan, I have the following thoughts. Rather than doing a whole straight line of hydrangea bushes, with the QF in the centre, and then alternating them with the various hydrangeas, I am wondering if you would consider growing the similar ones together, so that you have groupings of 2 Annabelles + Incrediball, 3 QF, etc etc. Then you can even have some space in between the groupings, so there is no need for you to necessarily buy more to fill the gaps, as the gaps can be nice to have, esp if you later decide to plants some lower perennials like hostas there. I think that may be nicer looking than a whole long row of hydrangeas. What do you think? Also, Roger, now, don't scream now - I think that what you are trying to do is a straight line row of hydrangeas, is that right please? IF it works for your overall garden design, would you soften that up with some curves for this bed, rather than a straight line, unless you have decided to go with a linear design like I have for my new yard? If you go with a curved bed, you certainly have even more options as to how you would plant your hydrangeas too, so that they are not necessarily planted in a straight line here... ! Please ignore me if I am giving too many unsolicited advice! :-) Lastly, Roger, if you get shaded by the afternoon with the fence, would this be a north-facing area? That would be great for the ones like Annabelle etc. It looks like you have a really good blank canvas to work with - have fun!