No old wood branches survived the winter. Too bad as they were full of buds. You think they would warn us about that at the gardens centres when purchasing. I will definitely look into winter protection for them this year though. I take it that hydrangeas that only bloom on new wood are easier to grown/bloom? Maybe that's why my Pink Elf is full of blooms (purchased/planted the same time as the others)?

Hydrangeas that bloom only on new wood are either paniculatas (Pee Gee-like)or arborescens (Annabelle-like). Pink Elf only blooms on old wood. Not sure why the blooming difference vis-a-vis Endless Summer and Everlasting. Make sure you are not over feeding them as too much fertilizer will result in nice green leaves but few or no blooms (one application of fertilizers or even none is all they need in Spring; new ones already have round fertilizer pellets so you can skip fertilizing on Year 1).

Most paniculatas and all arborescens bloom on new wood and have no problems if winter is harsh. Of course, their blooms are different (paniculatas) and they have no blue or purple blooms.

As Luis said, paniculatas and arborescens are fully hardy here. I can’t tell you how many macrophyllas like yours I bought before I gave up since I am not up for winter protection. I have also found that H. serrata Tuff Stuff blooms reliably here. It looks much like a lace cap macrophylla with the same type of pink/purple color range.

Luis, are you sure Pink Elf only blooms on old wood. I read that they bloom on new wood.

Pink Elf is a tradename for 'Pia', perhaps the most compact/dwarf cultivar of bigleaf hydrangea. But it has been around for decades......long before any new wood blooming or remontant varieties were introduced to the marketplace. Like all the other older culitvars, it blooms only on old wood.

I see. I just don't understand why Pink Elf is full of blooms when Forever Pink just 5 feet away in the same garden has nothing. Both planted the same time. I only added compost to both, and mulched the ground around everything throughout the year.

Can't explain that :-) Although Pia's short stature makes it more likely to be completely covered in snow during winter in climates that experience significant snowfall. And snow is wonderful insulator!

Do you have deer, squirrels or bunnies? They all like to eat hydrangea flower buds here.

Yes, squirrels and bunnies, but we keep close tabs on them getting into the yard. They are more interested in all my hostas, coneflowers and black eyed susans. Darn critters!

Are those little popup tents sold by the big box stores good for insulating plants such as hydrangeas in winter?

Patti , picture 2 put some cardboard on the ground and push the branches down on the cardboard and pin them down with stones or what other then bury with leaves remove gently in May they will bounce right back I think you be surprised