the last sev pics it's def Ficus maclellandii, common names Narrow-leaf Fig/Banana Leaf Ficus/willow leaf ficus. 'Alii' and 'Amstel King' are dif cultivars. i think it's alii too. you substrate looks similar to lechuza stuff - it's a special clay aggregate for sub-irrigation. it's german and is widely used in europe. go to their site - and you can read about how it's done. they sell special planters, but the aggregate can be used just by itself too in self-watering system by itself or with soil on top.

I have the best luck (and best effect) growing all kinds of Cryptanthus, Cryptbergia and smaller orthophytums around the bases of larger potted plants. I push pups into soil in lots of pots like big birdnest type anthuriums, larger growing bromeliads, pots of ALocasias and plumerias....they give the other plants a whole new "dressed up" look and benefit from a little shade from the leaves but still get sun, also benefit from the regular watering and fertilizer the larger potmates get. Its also a great way to conserve space by combining plants.

To be honest, I don't think that you recognized the plant as a hoya, manda. Your advice was just fine for a plant that doesn't have the particular growing characteristics of this plant. Hoyas grow in long, ropey vines. As a matter of fact, the flowering spurs they produce occur on more mature wood, all the more reason to refrain from cutting the new growth in order to produce more and more juvenile growth. What we don't know is under what kinds of lighting situation dinajean is growing this plant. Or how long she's had it, the type of potting medium it's in, and many other factors that might affect growth. All of which are more typically handled in the House Plant Forum. Yes, manda3, you can certainly keep your hoya pinched back so that it becomes bush-like. But most of us grow these plants for their flowers. Mine blooms about 9 months out of 12, with large (almost tennis ball size) and very fragrant florescences.

Are you sure it's a hydrangea or are you asking if it is?Well if you know it's a hydrangea, that's a start, lol. Otherwise, it's just some sticks and you'll have to wait for it to pop to get an idea what it is. If it's a hydrangea..Wait till it warms up a lil and new growth will start coming from the ground, it looks like it might be already, pic isn't too clear but I think I see some green down there.. After it is warmed up a bit more, say the end of April, you can prune those branches down if you don't see any new growth from them as well, if you see green coming from the branches, you can leave it or prune it, up to you. Hope I helped..maybe someone else will give their opinion.