I really like the Tiny Tuff Stuff I have planted, though mine his bright pink flowers: I've thought about amending the soil (especially since I also have Azaleas), but I haven't done so yet. Some people say its not as hardy as Tuff Stuff. Most hydrangeas seem to get bigger than their advertised size in good conditions and with age, but the smaller variety Serrata and Macrophylla hydrangeas are definitely more compact, not just in total size but also as far as the internodes, which I think makes for a nicer looking and sturdier plant.

Thanks Jon. Thankfully I have good luck with all the Hydrangea I grow, even Nikko Blue flowers most summers, though very spottily, with our brutal winters that can dip as low as -15. Endless Summer grows well here and flowers decent even though not in full sun. Lack of adequate sun is my bigger problem. I want a deep blue hydrangea since I grow mostly roses so I already have enough pink flowers, lol. If TT gets around 30 inches or so that would be great.

Sharon

Thanks NHBabs. Blue Billow looks good but is only rated for z6 blooming on old wood only so iffy about getting flowers with winter dieback.

I have an older big leave lacecap that blooms every year. But it gets way too large and loves part shade.

sharon

if you want "compact," TTS is the way to go. Regular TS, once matured, will easily get up to 40" in height and may spread laterally up to 6' or larger. So buyers take heed!

The bonus of laterally spreading hydrangeas is that you can then hack off portions of the crown and make tons of new ones. For such a reliably-blooming plant series, this is a no-brainer! Just don't report yourself to the patent popo.

Thanks Springwood. 6 feet is a bit much. I have an older Lacecap that I root cuttings from all the time. No idea what variety it is. But it flowers in about 3 hours of indirect sun and blooms even after the coldest winters. the only year I had no flowers was the year we had 17 degree temps in April. The lacecap didn't leaf out until July!

sharon

Hmm, that's interesting. I would venture to guess you have some sort of H serrata, which the Tuff Stuffs also are. Blue Billow is a real standout in that department (mine's always covered), among a few other older fellow varieties.

Springwood, this is probably close to 30 years old. I think it's a big leaf though and not a mountain. We had it planted in front and it never flowered. My husband just threw it on top of a pile of rocks and it took off like crazy. My guess was it was too sunny. It's now in dappled shade, getting maybe an hour or two of direct sun. I have three so far and just potted up two more. It's a great go-to plant for the shadier areas of my yard.

sharon