I have two ES hydrangeas planted in different conditions and thought people would be interested to see the difference.

On ES is planted next to a retaining wall that blocks the winter wind. It does not die back completely, so I have old growth as well as new growth

Driveway Hydrangea

The other ES is by our patio, with full exposure to the winter wind. It does die back completely every year.

Patio Hydrangea

The pictures were taken minutes apart.

The sheltered hydrangea puts out more flowers earlier than the one that is not sheltered. By the end of summer, although the patio hydrangea is still smaller than the other one, it has usually caught up in the bloom department.

Just thought others would be interested in seeing the difference.