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Hi,

Outstanding plants!...They look very happy and healthy (fire the guy with the pruning shears!!!)

Sorry, but it is almost impossible to tell one macrophylla from another by the leaves, sometimes not even if you do have a bloom in the picture, unless the type is very distinctive. The good news is, most macrophyllas require the same care and conditions as the next one and aside from the little pruning incident, it looks from the pictures, like they are getting everything they need. Send a picture when it blooms and try again for an I.D. You never know.....yg

Thanks so much for you reply :) I figured that was the answer!!! But thought I'd try anyway, just in case ;)

And they must be in the "perfect" spot because last year (not knowing what they were) I did nothing. This year I fertilized them properly. Now I just have to figure out how I am going to protect them from the winter.

Beautiful plant - very healthy! If your plant survived for the two years you have been there, then as far as I know you don't have to do anything. You are in Maine? I am clear across the US from you, and it seems that our weather is pretty close. We don't always get snow, but we get some pretty darned cold winters and I have never lost a plant. What did you feed your plant with to make it so healthy?

Hi Donna:

I'm actually in eastern MA, north of Boston (not near the water though) so our winters can be pretty tough here and lots of snow (not always, but the last few years we've had a lot).

I'm going to try and cover them up like others have mentioned, I want to save those buds so I can have flowers next year!!! I think they are in a protected area next to my foundation so that may help a lot too.

I fertilized them with just a slow release Osmocote (acid type) and then I think I gave them some Super Phosphate mid summer (I'm drawing a blank) to encourage buds.

I'm hoping my hard work will pay off next year and I'll have some flowers to enjoy :)

Thanks for you help!!

Terri

Excuse me??? How can a zone 8 PNW climate be similar to a zone 5 Northeastern climate? The PNW is pretty much unique in its growing conditions and is characterized by a very mild climate. It doesn't get particularly cold here in winter - a drop into the teens is rather uncommon - we have minimal snowfall and it seldom gets very hot in summer. In short, pretty much ideal hydrangea growing conditions. I've yet to encounter anyone in this area who has lost a hydrangea to cold or even had bud damage from a winter cold snap. Hydrangeas shouldn't require ANY winter protection in our climate but will pretty much have to have protection in a zone 5.

That's what I thought too Gardengal. I know we get A LOT of snow and wind and some good 'ole Nor'easters :) So I will be protecting them!! :)