Cranky, they are one of my favourite flowers too and also haven't had any luck here growing them.  Have even tried putting them in pots to no avail.

Today is the first cool days for us in weeks, mostly 36C and over, definitely not hydrangea growing climate.  Maybe up in the hills where it's cooler.

When I went to NZ to visit my daughter I was so jealous.  They grow huge over there and are a deep purple colour.

Sand sure is hard to grow in -- I have the same problem  -- I do tend to grow a lot of natives  -- have a few others snf the gaarden is quite lush now but even after all this time dig down a few inches and it is pure sand

Cranks, you sure had me worried with that heading. Whew!!

I've got one out the front of my house but have to keep the water on it during the hot days, I am re-planting all my back yard so am going to take slips off the one out the front and plant them in the back under trees which may help a bit.... the original plant was one given to me from a late friend of my Mum & Dad so really want to keep it going, (sentimental reasons).  I also love them, mine blooms with beutiful blue/pink flowers....  Keep trying Cranky, you will find a spot for one in the end....

Cranky just get a huge tub or drum.  You need to buy Hydrangea soil and they only need early  morning sun, no afternoon sun and they like to be free draining but soil kept moist, particularly in the summer. 

We face east/west so nowhere in the yard that doesn't get afternoon sun.  Was going to put some behind the garage, until hubby decided that he needed another extra shed and that's where he put it.

Just remember that if you want blue ones you need to buy the blueing mixture and red for the pink ones.

My Dad used to grow Blue, Pink, white and green Hydrangeas but in Colac, Vic where it is coolish.

Mum would pick just 4 for big vases around the house, and they lasted better than most 'cut flowers'

Made me think Peter and I will 'have a go' in big pots. 

Hahaha...I actually read that in the wrong vein Phyll, I used to "have a go "in big china pots when I was little... fell in many times...and I didn't grow much either...lol

but seriously I have tried the pots..without success, and I agree, when they are in bloom they are magnificent, we went to Melbourne flower show and some of the blooms there were incredible and were still the same when we left a week later...

I guess I will just have to keep trying...and trying ...and trying.....  :)

Well Australian Natives do well in sandy soil which is nutrient poor.

Have you tried buying Hydrangea soil ???  Azaleas are also hard to grow.  Both of these plants do best on a southern side in the shade, no afternoon sun and with damp soil.  Sand is no good because it doesn't hold the water.  Unfortunately I don't have an area on the southern side that is shaded, as we face east/west it still gets afternoon sun,  but now have a covered pergola so am going to try that in pots.

I will also use Seasol for lessening the shock when transplanting and see if that will make a difference and no feeding for a while, as feeding the plant forces it to grow and it needs to settle in the spot first before you try to get the top to sprout.

Have found this site and it might help you. Apparently they have now brought out some varieties that are much hardier.  This site tells you about them.

http://www.aboutthegarden.com.au/index.php/how-to-grow-hydrangea/

Hope this helps.

I had an aunty when a kid, and she lived way out in 'woop woop' lol and they had 'big pots' which for me was a huge shock as Colac always had the sewerage.

Good site Sandi. I hope you will not all be jealous when I grow prize winning Hydrangeas in big pots :)

We will do as directed Sandi. It is exciting :)

Have been trying to find the pics I took in NZ of the hydrangeas Phyl.  No luck yet but will keep looking.

The Hydrangeas over there are magnificent.  I couldn't believe they grew so high and such vibrant colours.

They also grow lovely Azaleas and the Rhodendrums are to die for. Barbra and I wandered for hours in a Rhodendrum Plantation.

Unfortunately here they only grow in the Hills.  Cold and damp up there. Clematis too are everywhere.  Had one grow here but it only lasted a couple of summers - too hot.

Would love one of them Vivity.  The Greengrocers here used to give out branches of Holly at Christmas, but sadly no more.  PC gone mad again.   I miss having a real sprig of holly then.

I'm also going to get Bunnings to import me a NSW Christmas Tree.

Off to do something with my Figs now.  Had about 100 given to me last night.  I usually make Fig & Walnut Ice cream, but 100 is too much for that.

My Dad was the same Vivity.  Everything but flowers.  My Mum was allowed one Rose Bush in the side yard and a Native Hibiscus in the front.  The only reason for those 2 were that her mother had planted them and she lived with them.

Have found all our fruit trees have had massive crops this year.

We also have a fig tree loaded with figs which I, especially love, but they are not ripe yet but when they do, we will have a massive crop also.  I freeze them whole - four in a bag and we have them with ice cream a lot of the year. They are squidgy :) when defrosted, but taste fine in desserts ie with a light sponge on top. As you know cooking has to be quick and easy for me with just us two at home now.

We are getting just a few peaches this year strangely, but what we are are having, are really delic. 

We have a tree loaded with oranges which are always the small variety but very sweet. We eat whatever we have re fruit, around 4 when the  need  for 'munchys hits.' 

Flowers are such a joy.