Question
I have a hydranga plant in a large planter on my covered patio.  It is the kind that came from a store.  I have found it to not be very hardy.  My yard is full sun everywhere.  Is there any hope that I can put it in the  ground in yard that only has full sun? I live near San Francisco in California.

Answer
Hi Patty,
Thanx for your question.  A lot of the florist's hydrangeas are not hardy below zone 9.  If you don't get a hard frost you can plant your hydrangea in the ground.  Chances are you don't have many frosts, especially hard frosts in the Bay Area.  For added protection, plant the hydrangea in a place where it will be protected from the cold north wind.  Generally, in the surrounding Bay Area, the florist grade hydrangea should probably be okay with the amount of sunlight.  Going farther inland where it gets hotter would call for placing the hydrangea in a garden spot that gets protection from the afternoon sun.  If you live in an area like Vacaville, Gilroy or Davis, it's going to be a lot warmer than San Francisco, Oakland or Vallejo.  I would say if you don't experience temperatures in the upper 80s or 90s for extended periods of time, the hydrangea should do alright in your yard.  There is usually some place in the yard that will experience some kind of brief shading and that would be the place I would stick the hydrangea.  I hope this helps.
Tom