Still have these...

I usually saturate the soil and then use around two tablespoons per gallon of aluminum sulphate, adding as much as you want basically. I've seen various recommendations about the amount and timing. But with this amount I apply it every couple of weeks or so in the very early part of their growth. Yes, I'm in the northern part of CT. That makes a big difference in comparison to those of you closer to the Sound. If we don't start getting more snow around here, I'm going to start looking to head North. I'm always suggesting Blue Billow. For me, it blooms reliably every year. Blue Wave would never bloom for me if I didn't take some overwintering precautions. I'm still waiting for the verdict on Endless Summer. With PG you can cut back the new growth pretty much as far as you want and use it as an opportunity to encougage the plant not to be so wispy. It will still flower. Good luck to you. Hay

"can the blooms be saved by covering the hydrangeas for the winter?" Depending on location, may not be just as simple as 'covering' the hydrangea. Successful winter protection generally involves a bit more then mere covering :-) There have been many, many discussions on this forum over the years on methods of winter protection and here is a link that will connect you to many of them: https://www.gardenweb.com/discussions/hydra/query/winter-protection/nqrw I can't tell you which works best, as there is no need for this in my climate. But I do suggest winter protection for anyone living in zone 6 or below but zone 7's may benefit as well, as it is often the wide fluctuations in spring temperatures that cause the most bud damage. I'd also recommend this for new wood bloomers as well, as the less dieback from cold weather involved, the more vigorous the new growth will be and the greater the chances for flowering. This protection only involves Hydrangea macrophylla cultivars (and closely related serratas), as the other commonly grown species are more cold tolerant and bloom reliably on new growth.

YG, ".... the label does come from the grower but since they put the Lowes name on their label (Brent, my cultivars were named "Assorted Hydrangeas"), I consider Lowes or HD responsible." I'm pretty sure that big boxes send to growers PREPRINTED labels with their names, prices and barcodes. At the time of the order neither buyer nor vendor knows what will be 'ready' at the time of scheduled shipment. Generic tag 'Various/Assorted Hydrangea' surely suit both of them. If grower also attach small plastic ID tag you are lucky to know what is it, but don't put much fate in it as it might be a label that just become handy. Good example, I was at HD when they were unloading shipment of nicely grown hydrangeas. All plants were ABSOLUTELY identical, about 15-18" tall, full, luscious and loaded by nice pink flowers. All were carrying the same infamous 'Assorted hydrangea' label attached to the pots. To my surprise, when I start picking the plant I like the most, I found that there were 3(!) different kinds of name tags in that shipment: 'Masja', 'Princess Beatrix' and 'Hamburg'. I'm pretty sure that there were not 3 different hydrangeas (and especially not Masja that at 18" will be close to maturity), but rather one of the last two cultivars and grower just hang on a plants any tags that were available with pink hydrangea pictures. It was OK for me to buy such plant as I could afford space for 4-6' hydrangea, but will be very upsetting for someone else who would unsuspectedly bought 6' tall 'Hamburg' labeled as a 2-3' 'Masja'.