Ah the hopefulness of a gardener with a dead shrub. I'm doing the same thing with a leafless Cotinus Golden Spirit while one on the other side of the yard is fully clothed in leaves now. Tonight I bent the main branches and they were still flexible so I declared there was still hope.

Yes, all Oakleaf hydrangeas here, even a 5 inch cutting in a pot, are fully leafed out now. And I'm well north of you. So sorry :(

Yes, mine have leafed out. I got these as little babies, back in 2010.

Yes.

Looks like it bit the bullet. I'll probably replace it with an Itea virginica 'Henry's Garnet' since those will tolerate (and even like) wet soil and get another oakleaf for a drier spot that we just cleared out.

Larry

Yes, in dry sandy soil and at the bottom of a clay slope where the ground is slmost always damp. The ones in more sun are much faster to come out. I can dig starts for you, Larry, but don't know yet if I will be at swap. Stay in touch if and when you try again.