Hello all. I purchased 6 of the Hovaria (hobella) "kaleidoscope" hydrangea from Spring Hill earlier this year. The plants actually arrived in excellent condition, have been planted, and are (amazingly) doing quite well. I've been so pleased that I actually ordered 3 more (to finish out hedging an area).

These are apparently quite tough little stinkers, because not only are they leafing out and doing great, I actually planted them in straight red clay (on a hill), and put the same red clay right back in the hole (I didn't ammend the soil or anything). So apparently these guys have the will to live!

Anyhoo, I've read a lot about problems getting them (the whole hovaria group) to bloom. One of the plants came with a bud, and it is now blooming. The bud formed on new, green growth.

Just what is it that makes it so difficult for these things to bloom? I really want them to bloom, so I'm planning my "winter protection" strategy as we speak. :) They appear to have the color changing traits of the oak leaf hydrangea, but look like lacecaps....is the problem with blooming just that they're such unusual cultivars???

Thanks for any hints you guys can provide. I hope we can solve the mystery of these plants. They'd be so gorgeous...if we could just get them to bloom!