I've had success transplanting them even in hot/humid August. I watered daily for two minutes for a week, then every other day for a week, then weekly after that. I make a large hole and amend It with Bumper Crop planting mix, with a handful of potassium. I didn't prune them back. The Light O Day hydrangea blooms on old wood, so it's similar to Endless Summer.

I've planted potted hydrangeas I got on sale in the summer at my parent's place and had them survive despite only sporadic watering, and I have a brown thumb. They transplant pretty easily. On the other hand, I've never got hydrangea canes to take. I'd just wait for the weather to call for a stretch of rainy weather and plant them then. Are the Maine hydrangea being planted at a summer place you don't live at? If so, that is more tricky.

Hi,

The Maine hydrangea's are at a summer place.

We are only there on week-ends.

Fingers crossed.

Thanks

Hey gle2011, I also am in So. coastal Maine. We transplanted 2 of our Lace Caps into a more shaded area a few years ago. The four of them were in full sun and doing very well. We needed to fill in our small,part shade front garden. We transplanted in the early fall. Dug holes double the size of the root ball. Added a bunch of our veggie garden soil to the hole and planted the hydrangeas. Watered it in well at first to settle the soil. Then came back and watered again and add more soil. Towards the end of Fall we tied up the bushes and wrapped them in burlap to help them through their first winter. It worked well. They are established and growing and flowering. Watering is the key though. Don't let them get wilted.

One other thing. The day before the transplant, water them well. The plant will be healthier prior to some root damage during transplant. Also the damp soil will stick better to the roots so you don't end up with a bare root plant after digging.