Much like the Tulips breaking ground one of the sure signs of Spring setting in are seeing some buds on your Hydrangeas. Did a yard walk today and all but maybe 2 of my 20 or so Hydrangeas are starting to bud out. I love it. Even the F&E's I got last Summer are budding and I haven't had the best luck with those in the past and it was late in the season when I planted them.