If you are in zone 6 or less, you will most likely get a better show if you winter protect it....yg

I have three of these which I planted last spring as babies purchased from Spring Hill. They grew a bit, they didn't flower, but they're still small.

Never having had them before, I wasn't sure if I should have pruned them or not, and I didn't. They're MAYBE 8 inches tall now and have no foliage on the old growth, but there is plenty of new growth sprouting at ground level.

I keep watching those dead looking branches wondering if they'll sprout too, which they haven't as of yet? Or does this puppy die back to the ground and re-grow each year?

I bought six Kaleidoscope Hydrangea from Spring Hill in 2001 they all died except for two. This is the first it has had blooms. It's about 4 ft tall and full of blooms. I had to move it to several locations to find a spot it likes. I've discovered that it likes morning sun and afternoon shade. It doesn't like the hot scorching afternoon sun. I'm in New Hampshire zone 5. I don't cover it in the winter but it is protected by my front steps.