Even novelty hydrangeas should do fine in Zone 8.

The second one looks like Caipirinha from the Holland Breeders Association

Well thank you so much for that snippet of information. Needless to say, there was no labelling at all, except 'Patio Hydrangea' and '20% off when you use your <Store Rewards Card>! (That was no help at all! :D )

Well it sure pays to have a good eye - splendid job!

I would agree with you on the white, though. Shades of greens and whites will probably be all you see. If you're lucky you'll get some reds once the blooms dry up and lose their pigment.

Yes, apparently, the 'lack' of colour in the blooms (they are beautiful, by the way) will be made up in the autumn when they will darken to a deeper green, tinged with red edges.... should be spectacular. In italian, they're called 'Hortensia' (or plural, Hortensie). My Aunt had some real beauties in her garden, next to a grey stone wall...

There's a lovely photo of Miss Saori in this thread in the perennial forum, posted last Friday, 6/17. Blooms almost ready to open, and amazing deep reddish foliage.

Gorgeous photo (I found it!) and superb thread! I look forward to adding to it eventually - but right now, my garden would be ashamed of itself! *lol!!*

It's all good . . . There are several brand new gardens there, so feel free to add, even if it's a "before" photo.

Well, fingers crossed.... I used good potting compost, and good drainage, and the weather in the UK right now is abysmal bordering on depressing...cool, constantly overcast with occasional rain becoming diluvial...I just love summer, it's soooo reliable... Grrrrr!!

TeraMaiden, your Hydrangeas are beautiful. We have been chatting about Miss Saori in the forum - apparently not available in the states - and she is gorgeous!! Don't ever apologize for a new garden. It takes years to develop a garden. We used to have a tv program here that created a 'garden' in half a day! They were terrible and looked like they were created in hours! lol

Oh, I agree.... these surprise transformations they create look like 'plastic' if you know what I mean...! I must admit, I am a fan of a slightly dishevelled garden - one that looks loved and lived in... My garden will never have a tram-line lawn, knife-blade lawn edges, and paths that don't even know what a weed is... But I will love it - I DO love it - and I can't wait to develop it into a picture of 'me'....

ophoenix, I would send you carefully-packaged cuttings when possible, but currently, the plant is under licence/patent, and the care label clearly states that it is NOT to be propagated! I'm hoping it will be available to you soon though... if not, I'll happily oblige once the patent is over! <3