As long as you provide moisture and replace the fertilizer and amendments that leech out, you could keep it short term or long term. But be on the lookout for circling roots. One catch: plastic pots get hot in the summer so you may need to switch to another type of pot or give them less sun so roots do not get exposed to too much heat near the edges of the pot. I would not do plastic pots if keeping them potted in the long term but I have kept some potted about 1 year in bright shade. Your sun is not as strong as it is here though.

As long as you provide moisture and replace the fertilizer and
amendments that leech out, you could keep it short term or long term.
But be on the lookout for circling roots. One catch: plastic pots get
hot in the summer so you may need to switch to another type of pot or
give them less sun so roots do not get exposed to too much heat near the
edges of the pot. I would not do plastic pots if keeping them potted in
the long term but I have kept some potted about 1 year in bright shade.
Your sun is not as strong as it is here though. Good luck,
Blanchedeveraux. Or is it Blanche Elizabeth Marie Deveraux? Hee hee
hee! I was recently watching an episode in which they mentioned her full
name! I think that was what Rue Mclanahan (Sp?) said... ;o)

Thank you, luis! I'm relieved to know I can keep it potted for the summer. I do have a very large pot that is basically unused I could move it to if need be. Where the hydrangea sits now, I really need something taller. Thought about a rhododendron, or maybe some type of smaller ornamental tree. We removed a lot of old evergreen shrubs a few years ago, and I'm slowly trying to fill in the space.

The Golden Girls are the best! :)