Hi all,
We moved back to the PNW after many years in Northern CA - Walnut Creek - the perfect Mediterranean climate. Grew up in Seattle, in Montlake, just across the street from the Arboretum. Loved growing salvias, camellias, cannas and other wonderful things but missed many of my old friends from the wonderful Marine climate. The only place I could grow hydrangeas in CA was in a running creek in the back yard! Hostas and ferns were only a dream. We are located in Shoreline along the Boeing Ravine, and garden is full of tall Douglas firs, cedars and sword ferns. The lot is on a steep hill but the previous owners terraced it with rock walls and some stairs.

The first year I planted hostas - way too many of them, and roses and cannas brought from Ca. The cannas and roses were soon replaced with more appropriate plants and many blackberries pulled out. Hydrangeas were added and added and more added until I now have a really huge collection (compulsion?, obsession?) and love every one. Because of the canopy of tall trees, most of the garden is shade or partial shade - perfect for the hydrangeas and their companion plants.

I look forward to joining this forum and hope to meet some of you in person in the future.
Here are some photos of my favorites.

to NGA and the PNW forum. Your garden sounds lovely. I also have an addiction to hydrangeas. We have a plant exchange luncheon in early spring.

Hi outreach9!
So glad you are joining us.
I have lost a lot of shade in recent years, much of my yard is now sunny, so I only have one hydrangea. Oops, I just bought one off a sale rack that has not been planted yet. It called my name because of the fiery red fall foliage- (it is called 'Tuff Stuff'). But I have lots of unusual shade plants. I have 2 Himalayan Blue Poppies on the east side of my house, this year I put up some shade cloth for them, even half day sun was too much. But now they did not get enough sun to flower. Probably I should move them...
Anyway nice to meet you, and I would hope to see you in person at the spring get together.

Welcome back to the PNW. Our forum is kind of quiet but as others have noted we do have an annual spring plant exchange.

Thank you folks! I would love to join you at the exchange - if at all possible. My husband has some health issues so it can get iffy. Pistal, have you tried serratas? I have several growing in almost full sun, and they are fine. Preziosa is one that is perfect for full sun. My Ayesha is a mophead that can take a lot of sun, even afternoon full sun. I propagate a lot of hydrangeas for our Broadview Garden Club plant sale, but have been know to share with fellow hydrangea lovers! lol

The 'Tuff Stuff' is a H. serrata! Yay!

Just a suggestion - don't prune it because you will probably lost blossoms. It is a repeat bloomer and the new blossoms will be on new wood. Great solution to the sunny site.