The ones that come in a pot do just fine. They're the same as found at garden centers.

Oh thank you, I sure hope so. I've always admired them but never had one till this poor thing came to me.

They're the same as found at garden centers.

Yes and no :-) Many potted hydrangeas are greenhouse grown and forced into bloom at an early age and under rather controlled conditions. While these ARE the same types of hydrangeas found in garden centers, the specialized growing conditions they experience sometimes makes them difficult to transition into a landscape setting and it often takes them a couple of seasons to adjust to this type of setting.

The primary issue is that if this is a type of macrophylla (and the word 'blue' in the remembered name would indicate so), then the correct overwintering processes need to be observed to enjoy any flowering in your zone. Typically, unless one of the newer, increased hardiness and remonant types of macs, these kind of hydrangeas bloom on old growth and in zones 6 or lower, require winter protection to ensure no cold damage to the dormant flower buds. Cold damage to dormant buds can result in lack of any flowering, although leaf growth may be lush :-)

Ok so I'll keep an eye on how she does this season and if I get no blooms, I will get some protection in place before winter again. I only have the one so I don't mind taking some extra care if it will live here. I'll see if I can read up some more on the best method.