My ES hydrangeas both have very small leaves this year (maybe an inch or so). There were a couple of times where they were in need of water, and the forecast called for rain so I didn't water. Then it never rained. So by the time they were actually watered, they were a bit past due. Could this have stunted their leaf development, or is there something else that could be doing it? I planted them in a raised bed last fall. They both get about 2 hours of direct sunlight (one from 11-1 and the other in the afternoon) and then filtered the rest of the day.

Couple of thoughts.......avoid any overhead watering. When you need to water, do so at the root zone and do so thoroughly. Excessive water on foliage can lead to fungal diseases and leaf spotting. Second, you may have over-amended. Soil conditions radically different from those the plant was grown in can lead to shock. Ideally, if amending is required, it should be done over the largest possible area, never just the planting hole. And never a good idea to fertilize immediately on planting - the plant can't metabolize it. The good news is there is nothing wrong with your plants. The purple-brown coloration is just a reaction to cold, common to many plants, especially if not acclimated to the area or with more foliage than established inground plants may have. The spotting may be just a touch of leaf spot but nothing to get concerned about. Just change your watering methods and pray for warmer weather :-))

@ostrich. I hadn't planned on transplanting anytime soon. I really like them in the pot. I may do it early next spring. What I meant about watering at the base, was instead of watering over the plant, I'm putting the hose at the base of the plant (near the root) and watering that way. Now I've been doing alot of research and here is what I found on the Forever and ever site - General Care Information: Hydrangeas have a moderate to high water requirement. Plants flag (wilt) when temperatures rise and the soil becomes dry. Newly planted Hydrangeas may need water daily or every couple of days during the first growing season to keep the plants form wilting. Once established Hydrangeas require at least 1" of water per week during the growing season. Placing the plant in a lightly shaded area and mulching the roots will help reduce the water needs for your plants. Water occasionally throughout the fall and winter, especially before a hard freeze. A 3-4" layer of organic mulch is recommended year round to reduce weeds, conserve moisture, and protect the roots during the cold weather. So I'm conflicted. Since these are newly planted should I water every day? Here is a photo of the Peppermint Forever and Ever I just purchased today.

I have had the same luck with Endless Summer Hydrangea as Jackz41!! Endless Summer is rated as Zone 4. In northern Wisconsin, I saw that many people did not have good luck with Endless Summer blooming before mid-July up here, this could be a problem elsewhere in the country too. I have over 65 roses so I took a wintering trick from my roses to get Endless Summer to bloom early! I bend the plants completly over and hold them down with bricks or larger rocks, in early November after a hard freeze(this can be hard as the shrubs get bigger, but you can do it carefully) I then cover them lightly with oak leaves and let snow fall on them! As we get lots of snow up here it has worked well for winter protection so the tips do not freeze! I have not had any mold problems with this trick! I have been growing Endless Summer since they first came out on the market, I have seven of them some just planted 1.5 ago. The older plants are around 3.5-4'high-4' wide. They get 4-5 hours of direct sunlight and filtered for several more hours, I also fetilize them with the same fertilizer I use for roses in lesser amounts. They start blooming in the middle of June with lots of blooms in all colors depending on your soil. I just add nail filings to make some of them more blue and leave the rest of the plants alone so I get colors from blue to lavender, purple and pink! Later in summer the mature blooms turn more green, then in fall they take on a burgandy hue with the green. They are really pretty, hardy and long blooming and great cut flowers when dryed as they mature in the Fall. Along with my pee-gee and several annabelle's (my hydrangea work horse) I love my Endless summer hydrangea's just as much as my roses!!