Sometime I ask myself why I am living in zone 5B area.
Six month cold weather is little long for my family. We like to plan all kinds of flowers in the garden.
But then I think it is fine. Because of some of our favorite plants can only grow well in cooler temperature, like peony, tree peony and hydrangea.
In hundreds of hydrangeas, I like the nikko blue the most. It is the one of hardy type perennials can pass Monroe-Woodbury long winter very well. When flower showing, the color changes from light yellow to light purple and finally turn to pure blue like sea. And, the most important part, it keeps blooming whole summer until end of October.
If you like it, you may like to plan it more. The cheapest way to make it more is propagation. Basically, plant propagation includes cuttage, layering, division, budding, grafting, and specialized organs such as corms. For hydrangeas, layering propagation may be the best. It leads to a very high success rate.
The way to do the propagation is simple. In late June to July, pick a small branch closed to the ground. No flower one is better. Don’t cut the branch; just dig a shallow hole in the ground just under it, about 8 inches long, 6 inches wide and 3 inches deep. Put top soil in, laying the branch on it. Then you can cover about 2-3 inches top soil on it. If you like to keep it moisture, mulch is always a wise choice. To prevent it moves, just put a stone on it.
Leave it alone, do the regular watering as normal. In the late September or October, or even the next spring, dig it out, you will find it builds enough roots for transplant. At this time,you can cut the branch from mother plant and plant it any place you want (Half shade is good for hydrangea usually). You can use this way make 5-6 branches at same time. Enjoy.