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[SG] Hydrangeas

As long as we're talking hydrangeas....I bought a Nikko Blue hydrangea from
Gurney's 3 years ago since the catalog said it was hardy to Zone 5, where I am
(Chicago).  It bloomed the first summer and I was very happy, since I LOVE
blue hydrangeas.  Every winter since then it has died down to the ground and
then sprouted anew each spring, meaning nice foliage but no more flowers,
since I now know that it flowers on the 2nd year's wood.  Well, I feel a bit
deceived by the advertising; I guess "technically" it is hardy in this zone,
but it does me no good, since I'll never get any more flowers from it.  For
this reason, I have resolved never to order anything from Gurney's again.
But, this year I finally dug it up and planted it in a large plastic
container, hoping that I can keep some wood above ground alive over the winter
in our garage so that in the spring after hard frosts are over I can bring it
out and hopefully have some more flowers.  Does anyone have any tips for doing
this?  Do I keep the earth wet over the winter?  Anything special I should do?
Does anyone think it's a useless endeavor?  Thanks for any and all advice.

Helen
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