Try rooting a cutting - I would think this would be more successful.

Has your plant ever bloomed? I'm removing one that has been in place about 6-7 years and it has never bloomed. I've read they are slow to begin blooming. I so wanted to see a bloom before I removed it but so far, nothing this year. They have such a wonderful fall color (leaves are a clear yellow) and interesting winter bark but it is just too big for my small garden. I noticed runners on the ground have rooted. You might check to see if this is the case with your plant. If so, take two or three and plant them together for a starter plant. I'd be doubtful digging up a plant of that age could survive a move unless you had it done by a tree moving company, where they use those huge machines that can go deep. Good luck. ... Mary

It is blooming. It takes years for it to bloom.

From the Hydrangea Forum:

"Hydrangea anomala ssp. petiolaris is more difficult to root than h.
macrophylla especially after the wood has ripened. Non-flowering shoots
of soft wood have root initials along the stem that serve as aerial
roots to enable the vine to cling to a vertical support. These shoots
should be placed in a well-drained rooting medium and roots will develop
at the site of the initials."

AND...

"Find a 12-15" long branch/stem and cut it the way that you'll have some
old AND new growth on it. It should be pliable enough to make a loop out
of the old wood.
Make a loop from the bottom part of the cutting, but leave at least 6-7"
of new wood free. Place the loop at the bottom of container, fill by
potting medium, but let 3-4" of the soft wood sticking out. Water and
put in full shade.
That's it. In 2-3 weeks it will be rooted...

...If you plant cutting straight up number of buds in a soil will be
limited by the height of container. By making a loop you'll be
increasing number of buds under the soil thus roots will fill the
container faster and plant will be ready for open ground sooner.."

tj

Wow, what an interesting concept for rooting. Thank you so much for sharing this. Wish I had a larger area to grow this plant but it has overgrown my planting site. My garden is just too small for this lovely plant.

mary, My space is also tiny and the plant can be pruned to keep it small as I have done for years.

Tsuga - thanks for the pointers but if I have to do this, it will take another 7-8 years to bloom. Perhaps the best method then is for me to buy another plant...

I'll have to think about this.

Ianna