I am in North Texas and mine return each year and bloom. They just require a lot of water and fertilizer.

I am northwest of Houston and have quite a few hydrangeas and I am really pleased with them. I have never purchased one, but have received cuttings through the years. It's important to provide them with some protection from the hot afternoon sun and plenty of water (particularly the first couple of years).
Molly

Those are gorgeous, Molly............like the brug bloom as well.

I planted a Endless summer several years ago and the first flush is impressive but after that it only tends to give me one bloom every so often, at least that's been my experience. My hydrangeas prefer morning sun and afternoon shade and love to be watered.

About 60 years ago I saw my first hydrangeas in the Heights in Houston. The grew front to back on the side of my cousin's grandmother's house.
I was visiting from the McAllen, TX area and had never seen them.
Molly! those are super.

I grow a NOID in the shade. In its third yr. be prepared to water daily w/o fail, extremely thirsty plant (the thirstiest) in my garden.

i have two on the east side of the house, very sandy soil here but we have an irrigation system which i feel is the key to keeping mine thriving the past 12 years

I live in Carrollton, Texas and my Hydrangeas do very well. Like Carrie said lots of water and fertilizer is the key. If it gets really hot I have been known to put an umbrella sideways to help protect them. Mine are planted in a shaded area of my front yard.

I have seen them doing just great down in Jones Creek area.

Does anyone grow Oakleaf hydrangeas? Just wondering if they need as much water?

I have 2 oakleaf hydrangeas and I find that they require more water than the mopheads or lacecap hydrangeas. They do make a beautiful shrub and are very maintenance-free because they require no pruning or deadheading in order to bloom well.
Molly

I have 2 oakleaf hydrangeas and I find that they require more water than the mopheads or lacecap hydrangeas. They do make a beautiful shrub and are very maintenance-free because they require no pruning or deadheading in order to bloom well.
Molly

My oak leafs do much better than the others. They are bigger, and flower much more. They were all planted around the same time.

I am not a good hydrangea mommy. Mine suffer, but hang in there. I don't water or fertilize like the other posters do.

I don't have Oak Leaf, but tend to remedy that this year. I do have a big lace cap from the Seattle area, and it grows quite big, This winter has been really hard on it, but it is now looking robust again.

I had a huge one in TN I never watered it. It did get some water from the A/C drain. Was hoping it would be the same here. Put one in with morning sun, shade starts about noon. Some of the new leaves look shrunken. As my pistache grows it will get less sun. I'm counting on this thriving as it's my favorite. Anyone know why cardinals always seemed to like it?