'Big Smile' is a relatively new introduction as well as being patented, so distribution is not nearly as wide as it would be for a cultivar that has been on the market for some time as well as one which can be propagated without restriction. If you are desperate for this plant, you may have to bite the bullet, spend the bucks and do mail order, otherwise wait until it is more widely available. FWIW, it is pricey even from the wholesalers, but it is also one of the best looking hydrangeas I have ever seen. I'm trying to figure out where I could possibly find room for one in my already overplanted and too small garden.

I found mine this year at Home Depot, just sort of mixed in with the "Assorted" 1 gal. Hydrangeas. Home Depot seems to be a great spot for catching deals like that sometimes. You have to know you're varieties though. I've found really hard-to-find, expensive varieties of Astilbe, Hosta, and now Hydrangeas, right next to older much more common varieties.

These are readily available in my area at several large nurseries, for less than $10 in one gal. size(5 gal.=$24) and are in bloom, so there is no question about mislabeling, since no other known cultivar has the same unique frilly sterile tepals. They are distributed by Hines Nurseries and the attached tags do not contain patent information or warning prohibiting asexual propagation?, only that the name "Big Smile" is Trademarked(TM)
If any of the nurseries in your area stock the Hines Nurseries line of perennials, why not ask them to order some for you? Many independents are willing to do so.

To find a nursery in your area that stocks Hines Nurseries products, click on the site below and then where to buy.
Good Luck!
Rb

Here is a link that might be useful: Hines Horticulture

Hines is the only current licensee on these - I was not sure how widespread Hines products were on the east coast, which is why I omitted that piece of info. And trademarked plants does equal patented, although the patent is still pending on this plant.

I will say this - east coast prices for this plant (and apparently others) are considerably lower than they are here on the left coast. You couldn't touch a 5 gallon shrub here for $24 unless you shopped the box stores.

HI Gardengal48 - thank you so much for the info on Big Smile. I'll wait and see if I can find it cheap, maybe in August when the places try to clear out their inventory. And I never see them cheap where I live. Even my HD doesn't mark down or do clearance plants. Not fair! :)

Creech444 - I went through homedepot stock with a fine tooth comb. Not a one. But I'm going to be on the look out for it. thanks for the info.

Stonybrook - I've heard that a local nursery carries Hines plants - but I've also heard that this nursery is charging 39.00 for the hydrangeas!! I don't care how big they are, I would rather pay much less, get a small plant and watch it grow. That way I get to see them mature, and I get more plants for my money.

Gardengal - your not alone, I'm on the east coast, Long Island NY and the prices here are v. high. I guess it depends on the specific area where someone lives.

Thanks, you guys/gals have been really helpful.

Razorback33 - thank you. With your info I was able to find a local nursery who does carry Hines. I will take a look later in the summer (they are a pricey nursery).

Don't pay 50.00 . I bought mine at a nursery this season and paid only 16.00 or 18.00 and it is a nice sized plant. here is a link to a photo of it .

Here is a link that might be useful: {{gwi:1014791}}