Hydrangeasnohio, if I were you, I would move it. Even in my heavy clay soil, in full sun, my Annabelle requires supplemental watering and we are in the same zone. In sandy soil, full sun and our climate, it would not do too well...

Yep, I'd move it to. Otherwise, you're going to be a slave to it, and it just isn't going to reach its glorious potential. Even if the sunny spot had more moisture-retaining soil, I'd still advise against planting in full, hot sun. It's fine to move it now if you have a spot ready for it.

What kind of shrub would you recommend to plant in this area? I just tried a limelight in the same soil conditions that I picked up for very chaep (5 gallon). But gets just barely 6 hours or sun or so. The annabelle area gets more like 10 hours. I would like a hydrangea there, but I am open to any suggestions. Thak you

I moved it under a huge sycamore tree and has many things around it with very rich soil. The area probably gets 2-3 morning and an hour or so evening sun. Should be alot better location I hope. But the rootball was massive!!! Wouldn't even fit into a 7 gallon pot. I found the tag to see if I remebered correctly. But it did say full to partial sun. But everything I read now says only morning sun. In it's old location I bought a thornless red rose.

Paniculatas thrive in full sun BUT like all hydrangeas need lots of moisture, so if that spot is sandy, it's not a good choice for a paniculata, either - you'll still be a slave to it.

You should mosey over to the Shrubs Forum and ask what types of shrubs will thrive in a full sun, sandy location. Off the top of my head, Caroptysis (a.k.a. Bluebeard) will do fine, and I think purple leaf sandcherry. The folks over there should have lots of suggestions for you. :0)