How about dwarf/little Quick Fires? I'm in SE Michigan and due to our past 2 harsh winters, I switching out all my mac hydrangeas to those that bloom on new wood - I don't have the time/motivation to do extensive winterizing on macs and I'm so frustrated with the lack of blooms. I have 3 All Summer Beautys that I'm donating elsewhere and planting Bobo's instead - but I love my Quick Fires! Mine only get about half morning sun (and then dappled light for the rest of the day) and I rarely water them - they are gorgeous every year. They bloom much earlier than Limelights, which I have and love also.

There are some 3x3-ish hydrangea macs that flower somewhat reliably. They don't wilt or scorch terribly in the sun, at least for me. And for me, they're F&E Peace and Peppermint - in the regard that when they completely die back but still put up 4-10 massive blooms each year. Not to say they'd be the best. For something a little smaller, Everlasting Revolution puts out many new stems each year, most with buds. Widely available now. For rufflier 3x3's toss in Everlasting Jade and Ocean - they're blooming on new wood for me, 6-ish blooms per plant (with 100% dieback).

It still doesn't hurt to bind the stems and tie a white kitchen trash bag over them (with a couple small slits) from December through last frost. Only takes a minute and creates both a micro-greenhouse and a windbreak!

Move the endless summers to a shadier location and put a little limelight and a little quick fire in their spots. I'm not big on them as they are not as showy as the H. macs but if you are dead set on hydrangeas in a sunny location then that is the way to go. I have had to move all of my macrophyllas to the back under a light canopy of trees because the sun was wilting and scorching them. Actually the one I have in the most sun is a very large Endless Summer in the front and it gets morning sun until around 11am and then dappled evening sun after 5pm. It only wilts when I don't get to water it once a week or so and even then it just barely "sags" but quickly recovers when the sun goes down. I am in zone 6b. It is the most spectacular hydrangea I have and wouldn't take 10 of any other cultivar for it. It's blooms are neither blue or pink.. they are the prettiest shade of light purple and it is by far my favorite! =]

Thank you for your help. Give me some great leads to further research on. I did see little quick fire at a local nursery so will go back to get one. Some of the small Macs recommended by you are also available here so will compare and decide to try which ones.

For ES for the last 5 years, they were all covered with blooms even with the harsh winter one year back. So not sure what happened this year. I will try to relocate 1-2 to a different spot that is facing east so they only get morning sun. I may also try some winter protection this year and see if it helps.

Thanks again!

I'll add that the Everlastings series have extremely stiff leaves. Never seen any of them droop yet, and I have them all except for Ruby, Pearl, Robin, and Sapphire (which aren't widely available anyway). Garnet has the weakest stems followed distantly by Harmony.