10 Stunning Container Plants for Partial Sun Spaces

6. Hydrangeas: The Color-Changing Stars of Partial Sun Gardens

Container plants for partial sun featuring a thriving hydrangea in a large gray and blue pot, displaying clusters of vibrant blue and soft pink blooms against lush green foliage. The decorative planter sits on a wooden deck, with a garden backdrop showing other plants and fencing in natural daylight.

Let me tell you about my journey with container hydrangeas – it’s been quite the adventure! After years of experimenting with these stunning bloomers, I’ve learned exactly what makes them thrive in partial sun conditions.

Choosing the Perfect Container

The first thing I learned (the hard way!) was that container size matters enormously with hydrangeas. I started with a pot that was way too small, and boy, did my plant let me know about it. Now I always use containers at least 20 inches in diameter and 16 inches deep for optimal root growth.

My favorite trick is to look for self-watering containers with good drainage holes. These beauties are thirsty plants, and consistent moisture is key to those gorgeous blooms we’re all after.

The pH Magic Show

Here’s where it gets really fun! Did you know you can actually change your hydrangea’s color based on the soil pH? It’s like having a magical mood ring in your garden! For blue flowers, you’ll want acidic soil (pH 5.2-5.5), while pink blooms prefer alkaline conditions (pH 6.0-6.2).

I keep a soil pH testing kit handy and adjust using:

Aluminum sulfate for blue flowers
Garden lime for pink blooms
Always apply amendments gradually to avoid shocking the plant

Maintenance Tips for Container Success

After countless seasons of trial and error, here’s what I’ve found works best:

Water deeply when the top inch of soil feels dry
Apply a slow-release fertilizer in early spring
Prune dead stems in early spring before new growth appears
Position containers where they’ll get morning sun and afternoon shade
Mulch the soil surface to retain moisture

Creating Show-Stopping Displays

My absolute favorite way to use container hydrangeas is as a stunning backdrop for outdoor entertaining. I’ve found they pair beautifully with:

Trailing ivy for added texture
Silver-leaved plants for contrast
Purple heuchera for year-round interest

Want to know what makes the perfect companion to these gorgeous hydrangeas? Click the “next” button below to discover all about Astilbe – those feathery plumes that add the perfect vertical interest to your partial sun container garden. Trust me, these two plants together create pure garden magic!