The care/sun/water/pruning requirements will be roughly the same. Many hydrangeas can be very hard to tell apart even when they are in bloom, let alone when they are not. I have spent good money on plants (special ordered because I wanted to make sure I was getting the right cultivar) that turned out to be uncharacteristic of the type I ordered. If possible always buy them in bloom. Then it won't matter as much what the name is as long as you like it. If you are like me, and have to rely on internet nurseries, the best you can do now is try to get your money back or have a new "Nikko" sent to you to add to your lacecap...Good luck.....yg

It is not umusual for macrophyllas to have both, mops & lacecaps, on the same plant. If cuttings were taken from a non-flowering plant, there is no way a propagater could tell that the cane he removed would have eventually had a lacecap bloom. If it were mine, I would enjoy the 'Nikko Blue Lace' and if I still wanted a 'Nikko Blue' mop, I would check the big box stores for season end bargains. some mark them at half-price for quick sale. They usually stock 'Nikko Blue', alongside 'ES' and 'Lady in Red'. Some may be lacking in appearance, but will probably look as good as any fall shipments from a mail order nursery. I always remove the pot and check the root system before buying, if they are healthy, it should be fine with new growth next spring.
I have been shopping the stores near me for the past 2 weeks and found some very attractive bargains, such as 'Big Daddy', 'Sun Goddess', 'Komachi', 'Niji', 'Kurenai' & 'Penny Mac' for 6$ ea. and 'Big Smile', 'Bliss' & 'Fireworks' for 9$ ea.(These will probably be marked down again before Sept., if any remain).
Rb

I'd ask for a credit, and get something else from them. Wayside prices are fairly high, so you should have gotten the right plant. But Nikko Blue is the most common macro hydrangea--you should be able to get a big plant at a local garden center for what it would cost to get one and pay shipping from Wayside.

If they sent Blue Bird or Blue Billow instead of Nikko, that's really a mistake---the leaves aren't even the same.

Wayside responded saying they were glad that I was happy with my plant despite the mistake. No offer to compensate and they blamed their supplier.

Baloney!!!!!....A nursery can't guarantee the plant's ultimate survival (you could kill it by lack of proper care) but they darn well are responsible for sending you the plant that you (thought you) purchased, true to cultivar. This is the only thing a RESPECTABLE nursery has to hang their reputation on!!! I'm not saying that mistakes don't get made as it is easy to do so with hydrangeas, but you should have been offered a replacement plant without hesitation!!!! Shame on Wayside......yg

did yo specifically ask for a refund?

from a different nursery, i purchased a pink elf. instead of the mophead, i have a lacecap. this was the first bloom since receiving 2 years ago. i received a refund. they asked me if i would like a credit. in response, i asked what my options were. i was given 3 options and i chose the credit. luckily, i didn't have to argue.

perhaps you could call again. and, no, you are not happy with your plant. it isn't what you ordered. :)