Trouble's Inbox

You might also consider planting the oak-leaved hydrangea and get massive cream flowers like a bridal corsage whichever soil you have...........

There are compounds you can try to change pink to blue.These contain aluminium sulphate.Peat moss sounds acidic this would mean digging up plant and re planting,which may take sometime to re adjust to.

Hydrangea flowers can change colour with the soil acidity. Acid soils promote blue flowers; alkaline ones produce pink blooms.
But it depends what colour your hydrangea really is. If it is a variety bred for pink flowers, no amount of acid in the soil is going to change that. If it was bred to be blue, then you should see some change if the soil becomes more acid. If you are going to try this, I would also suggest using rain water to irrigate it as hard tap water will give an alkaline reaction and undo the soil change

I might offer another suggestion if you are planning to move it anyways. I live in zone 5 (and that's pushing it for Rhodos) and we have heavy snow and cold winters with lots of north winds. Rhodos don't like wind at any time of year and I finally moved mine under the large house overhang which provides both semi-shade and protection from the winds. After struggling for many winters with various types of winter protection coverings/surrounds and finding too many brown, shriveled leaves in the spring, I was frustrated last year by the sudden onset of winter and not enough opportunity to protect everything that I just left it uncovered which turned out perfect as it fared better than any other year. It needs a good shot of "Pinks" (8-12-6) fertilizer in the spring before flowering, and again in August in order to produce buds for the following spring. I have been fooled by buds which I believed were flowers-to-be but were simply new leaf growth next spring because I didn't fertilize twice. Hope this helps. LP

I started with one in the shade and now they are all over the garden in shade and sun. Just as well that I like them!

You obviously have a lot of shade in youre garden. Is it shaded all day or just part of it. Is it shaded because of high walss or a tree etc?
Some pics would help if you could upload some.
I have quite a bit of shade in my garden. If you take a look at my pics it might help with some ideas of shade tolerant plants.

I agree with Buzzbee, I have some in full sun and some doted around where they only get sun late afternoon. I have not got any in total shade.

Veronicas prefer sunny positions or at least some sun - so I don't think that yours would flourish in the shade, although this species is a new one on me.

Further to your question about azaleas which Sid answered the same applies.You watch the Masters Golf from Augusta Georgia? There you will see the ideal situation for rhododendrons and azaleas spectacular display under the canopy of other trees.If you have heavy shade with no sunlight these plants will struggle to flower.Part shade should suit them as long as sun not first thing if sun later in day then fine.

I don't know about deep shade, but they can certainly tolerate a bit of shade in my experience.

They will grow in sun or shade. If in sun, the soil must be reliably moist or they give up around mid to late July (in my experience) but will come back again the following spring

Yes, they prefer shade but seedlings may pop up in sunny spots as well

Hi Trouble! Azaleas originate from woodland floors, so yes, they are tolerant of a certain amount of shade. However, dappled shade (such as under other trees) is best - I doubt it would thrive in heavey shade.