Ok, advice needed. I live in Vermont zone 4-b and I want to cheat and raise Hydrangea macrophylla. Just love the colors and varieties. And my zone is not well suited for them and this year I am focusing on hydrangeas and have begun to understand them better. Still have alot to learn.

I have read about the "box" method of wintering them over so the buds can make it through our cold VT winters. And also about the stakes/chicken wire/oak leaf method.

Are there any other methods which someone has used for wintering them that work??? Any other tips that might help?

I know about Annebelles and will plant some of those too, but they are winter hardy. Thanks for the input, Jack