Rambling and unorganized thoughts.... Your definition of "hot" makes me want to rule out MM because down here, regular Annabelle-types would be sensitive to wilt when the soil gets almost dry. That would require that you monitor closely the soil moisture in the summer, which may not be "low" maintenance for you. With ample moisture, it may do well though. Some of the big Annabelles out there propagate via suckers and that is not low maintenance since you have to keep the suckers in check; I do not know if MM maintains this characteristic....

Your desire to keep the shrub at 3 feet then makes me rule out Little Quickfire but, it might stay small in areas with short growing seasons... maybe that could work. It would just require some pruning if it does not stay 3' and I do not know if you consider that "low maintenance".

Paniculatas are the most sun tolerant so if choosing between those two only then I would go with LQF too.

Fall interest is 'ok' for both types. I think there nothing like oakleaf hydrangeas for fall foliage interest. Annabelle-like hydrangeas have leaves that are ok. LQF gets a medium yellow leaf color that I like so LQF would be my choice between those two.

Or get something else... phlox for example keeps short stature and may like those conditions.

Thank you both for your advice. I'll give it some thought and let you know what I decide. I might have space to do one of each in two different sections of the yard.

I like your way of thinking: "which one do I want? Both! " ;o) Ha.

I'll always make room for a hydrangea! LOL. BTW, I went with MM. I ordered it from Proven Winners. I will get LQF locally. I have a perfect spot for it.

Plant the MM somewhere else. The western sun will likely create limp leaves and shorten bloom life, especially if it is near a building or pavement. I would honestly take the time to find one of the smallest panicled hydrangeas such as Bobo which should stay within your size range. The paniculata tend to have some fall color, while the arborescens have none IME.

NHBabs, thanks for the advice. I'll let you guys know how they do.

My LD were shipped from PW direct. The mail order delivery/quality was in great shape ! Better now than 2 months from now sitting in a hot ups truck all day. 3 G's. nicely sized. Rootball was good. Shrub was trimmed down a bit just to shoehorn it into the box, but overall good quality...

I just received my MM hydrangeas, unpacked them and gave them a good watering. They are in my little greenhouse for now. It's a cold, rainy, windy day here. The temperature is 41 right now and blustery cold. Just a few days ago it was in the low 80's. Very unpredictable weather. I might plant them out on Sunday, when the weather is nicer and warmer. Looking forward to seeing how they do in my garden.

Bella Rosa what size did you buy and how large were the plants? I’ve never ordered from PW before and am debating between the quart and gallon size MM.

I am actually surprised that plant nuseries hsve not screamed 'foul' to PW... as their provider of plants is now also a competitor. Maybe local nurseries will soon also disappear like other retailers???

Hi_60, I ordered the quart size. They are healthy looking. I was originally going to order from Home Depot, but they were sold out. It was cheaper on their website and I think shipping was free on the HD site.

Hello, bella rosa. Do you know if HD's shipping is free period or do they ship to a nearby store where you pick up the order?

HD shipping was free to your home.

Luis, my local nurseries that supply PW offer them for less. They have Wee White in a 3 gallon for $26....im not sure how they got a 3gal of that new cultivar already or if the clerk meant 1gal for $26.

Also wanted to add that I don't pay shipping on PW from my nurseries (of course) and it's nice to get to pick out "the best" potted up plant in the group.

One of my local IGC had the quart MM for $14.99. Still too expensive for the size of the plant I’ll wait for bigger sizes

Liners were sold to growers last year so one should see finished larger size containers in stores.

Lucky you, hi_60. New stuff rather quick.

I have not seen those guys locally yet. I figured stocks would be low and not heavily distributed everywhere.

What's IGC, pennlake? I found weird matches for those letters. I assume a plant nursery?

Hi Bella planted yesterday 2 mauvettes between wee whites, 1gals two ft apart from each other all day sun

hyed, those are good size plants. I'm sure they will bloom beautifully. don't forget to post pics.

Bella Rosa, will the quart size ones bloom this year or are they too young?

I'm hoping that they bloom this year. I hope that they will.

Found these guys at my local IGC. They didn’t have many but all were budded and starting to bloom.

Lucky you! Please post a pic when they bloom. I just planted mine on Friday. We've had so much rain and cool temps, so that was my first chance to get them in the ground.