Beginner Gardening: Mophead Hydrangeas in zone 9?, 1 by luv_hydrangeas

luv_hydrangeas wrote:
Hi. I recently purchased a "firelight" hydrangea from a nursery. It was already in bloom when I bought it and it looks beautiful! I live in zone 9 where the temps. are rather hot. It is not even spring yet and we are already reaching temps. in the 90's. In the summer temps. can reach as high as 105! I have noticed that when I place my plant outside the leaves tend to get limp. When I see this happening I immediately bring it indoors and refresh it with a nice drink of water, just enough to keep it moist. Well, after I bring it indoors it quickly becomes the beautiful plant again within minutes. I have tried putting it outdoors in the shade but, leaves still get limp. Does this mean that my hydrangea will not be able to grow outdoors? Has anyone in zone 9 particularly the lower south texas ever grown a hydrangea outdoors? If so, please let me know how things worked out for you. Could I possibly grow this indoors in a large container or is this too big of a shrub to grow indoors? Below is a pic. of my 1'st Hydrangea please help me keep it healthy and alive!!! Any input is greatly appreaciated!!!!