Oh, that does look similar! I was thinking it might be a lacecap based on the buds. I've actually had my eye on Blue Billow in the past, so that would make me happy. thanks!

Can you not contact the seller of the house?

So fun seeing you learning about all the new plants.

Thanks!

Luis, I could contact the seller, but I would have to go through the broker. I feel like around here it's not typical to be in touch with the seller for something minor. Maybe a regional/Northeastern thing or an urban "I don't want to bother you with my silly questions" thing. Anyway, I enjoy the research!

First sign of color! Definitely a blue lace cap, and Blue Billow seems correct. thanks, all!

hyed,

How big does the Blue Billow get at maturity?

Thanks

Gle, here is a thread with a photo of a Blue Billow that has been there for a number of years to give an idea of size. Claire, who posted it, is in Plymouth, MA, near the base of Cape Cod. It isn’t hugely tall, but is in a raised bed that makes it look a bit taller.

https://www.gardenweb.com/discussions/2052988/fourth-of-july-whats-blooming#n=13

I have a Blue Billow that I decided to try when my Tuff Stuff bloomed so reliably since both are H. serrata. Blue Billow has given me only 3 flowers in 5+ years, so you may or may not find it blooms well for you in 5b. It obviously does well in MA near the coast, but where I am about 80 miles north of Boston in central NH, it gets killed to the ground annually, even though it is in a spot where it gets buried in snow for much of the winter and is sheltered from early spring warmth by a rock wall.

Here’s mind last year over 20yrs old have never really to touch it

Hi Lala how’s that blue billow? Coming

Beautiful! I might just dig mine up and pot it up to store in the root cellar over winter. It currently rarely blooms.

Wow gorgeous! I'm starting to like these serratas much more than the macs... is that wrong?

Why would it be wrong?? You are free to like any kind of hydrangea you prefer :-) Many prefer the lacecap flower forms over the big, blousey mopheads (and just an FYI but not all lacecaps are serratas) and some increased cold tolerance with mountain hydrangeas does tend to make them popular choices for colder areas.

What’s not to LOVE.pictures taken today

Update on this...I think my blue billow (previously lovely, see above) is unhappy because it's in morning shade and afternoon sun. It bloomed beautifully in late June, but we got a heatwave shortly thereafter and the flowers got crispy and burnt, and many of the leaves are now sunburned. This is our first year in the house, but I do remember the hydrangea looking sunburned in October/November when we first saw the house last year. I chalked it up to late season fading at the time. I think its placement would probably be better for a paniculata if I were starting over.

It's a big mature shrub, 6' wide and 4' tall. I am loathe to move it, but could possibly put it in a shadier spot in the back yard. If I did it carefully or got professional help in the fall or spring, what are the chances of success?

Alternately, I could just try to water it more consistently in case of heat wave next June/July to try to stretch out the flowering.

It also has been afflicted with some cottony scale. I'm not sure how much that affected it, though.

Love this hydrangea and would like to see it happier!

Would be much happier under reverse conditions - morning sun and afternoon shade. Hydrangeas can be transplanted quite easily although a large one will be unwieldly to move.

I hesitate to suggest the best time for transplanting in your zone (I would do so in late fall here) but if you move while still dormant, you can cut back much of the topgrowth to make it easier. You will very likely remove the flowering potential for that coming season but that's a legitimate sacrifice for a much happier and healthier shrub.

Thanks. We're considering doing some landscaping work in our back yard so I might look into moving it then. Our small back yard might be a little too shady, though...will investigate possible spots. I wonder, will it bloom in dappled shade rather than full morning sun? The most obvious spot is shaded by a neighbor's mature oak tree--far from the trunk so probably not bad root competition, but high branches above create bright shade.

Bright or dappled shade is fine. I have several bigleaf hydrangeas sited where they receive no direct sunlight but not in a heavily shaded location (under a large deciduous tree) and they bloom heavily and without excessive drying out or scorching.

Hi Lala , mine is on the west side of my deck gets Sun about Noon to Sundown blooms holds color for about 6wks , leaves have nice Fall color ... picture taken today