Well, CH with the "bloom buds forming" might be hard. The flower buds form in late Summer to early Fall within the various stems/branches so they are "invisible". This time of the year (or maybe in June), the flower buds would start opening and would look like tiny broccoli heads. As they enlarge, they eventually take the form of lacecap blooms. When looking for them, do not confuse leaf buds with flower buds.

The one in the picture below shows a bud that has opened and enlarged a little but it was the closest I could find:

https://www.alamy.com/buds-of-climbing-hydrangea-hydrangea-anomala-image61393924.html

Good luck!!!

Oh so that's what they will look like, if and when mine decides to bloom. Crossing my fingers that this is my year. Thank you Luis_pr!

Here are some pics of one of the climbing hydrangeas on my fence. This plant is about 9 years old and has been blooming for 4-5 years or so.

ophoenix Very pretty. Are those pics from this year? What zone are you in? I'm in zone 6a. I guess if it's going to bloom for me this year, it would be in June?

Patti, the pics were taken just before posting and are still beautiful after 3 weeks. I am in zone 7-8a just north of Seattle WA. The PNW is the perfect climate for hydrangeas and the biggest problem we have here is that people prune them and then complain that they don't bloom! Of course they have pruned the new blossoms right off in their enthusiastic pruning! lol Hydrangea fossils are found in the area and especially up near the Canadian boarder. Most of my plants have blue - not pink - colors due to the towering firs, pines and other conifers in the garden but I love them and if I want to keep the pinks I put them into containers and they stay pink - sort of! lol Hydrangeas, like most shrubs and trees will bloom when they are ready! I have 6 month old cuttings that are getting ready to bloom. The climbing ones can take up to 5-10 years before they bloom. Be patient - they are on Plant Time, not People Time. Celebrate when they do finally bloom.