Question
In the late spring and early summer, I took on a project of translplanting my new little growths around my Blue Lacecap Hydrangea, as I had a need for landscaping in a newly remodled area in our backyard.  It was a huge project, from gently plucking them up, to preserving them in water, and finally, planting them alongside our drive to my husband's shop.  They have taken off!  I am concerned as to why they have not taken a more upward turn, to form as the bush they came from.  Is it such that I need to "train" it to grow upward?  Also, here in the upper midwest, the winters can be harsh.  How can I protect them?  Did I plant them too soon - should I have kept them potted for quite some time until next year?  There's probably 100 in the ground, doing exceptionally well, and digging them all back up is not an option.  What I can I do to prepare for winter?  I know there is a chance that I will lose them, but I'm willing to do whatever I can to try to preserve them.  

Answer
Hi Joely,
Thanx for your question.  I don't know that you're going to lose any of them.  Just mulch them with some leaves or pine needs or grass clippings once you have had your first frost.  You can even cover them with the mulch as long as the soil drains well.  They'll take a long winter nap underneath.  If the main growth gets too long, cut it back to encourage outgrowth and a more bushy growth habit.  You can train them at first on stakes to help them growth straight.  Generally, a plant should have 30-45 days in the ground before the first killing frost.  This gives their roots time enough to adapt to the new surroundings.  I hope this helps.
Tom