hydrangeas and zones

The Sunset (magazine) zones are more precise than the USDA zones of 1
to 10 that are based only on winter lows.  In that, I am in zone 8,
but I live on the Pacific coast, with very mild summers - we have to
choose our tomato varieties carefully and even so often don't have
any ripe before September.  My climate is not at all like the rest of
zone 8 over in the hot humid summer southern US.

The Sunset zones originally covered only west of the Rockies but they
have recently published zones for the rest of the country.

Some of the original hydrangeas imported from China bloom only if
grown right at the seashore in frost-free areas. They flower late,
only on the terminal buds, and if the bud is killed in the winter,
then there won't be any flowers. Many were  developed in Europe as
pot plants, with one huge terminal flower  and there was no need to
be concerned about hardiness. Hardier woodland and mountain species
which produced more, smaller, clusters of flowers from side-shoots
were crossed together and with the maritime species to produce garden
shrubs. The hybrids we have today are of varying hardiness, as a
result.  I would hope that any hybrids sold in your area would be
suitable for you. I think that if the terminal flowerbud is killed,
then you won't have flowers as early, but you will have flowers from
the side-shoots.

Mine go on producing flowers until hard frost, which means they are
often in bloom past Christmas. I don't prune until spring, when I see
where the new leaves are growing, and I cut away the dead wood just
above them.  I get lots of small balls of flowers, which suits me.
If I pruned more thoroughly, I would have fewer, larger flower
clusters.  It might be best for you to keep your plants pruned fairly
low, so that they can be protected by snow, or evergreen boughs
placed over them - you would need local information about that.

Diane Whitehead, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
zone 8, Sunset zone 5, cool mediterrranean climate (dry mild summer,
wet mild winter)
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