JAPANESE MOUNTAIN HYDRANGEAS are hale and hardy.
Bud hardy yet very feminine. High maintenance? Not these ladies. In 10 years they have bloomed every year for everyone I have planted. They remain dormant longer and avoid late frosts. Generally they are somewhat smaller than the H. macrophylla.

H. serrata 'Tiara'
This is a 4-5 ft shrub. Leaves are green with crimson in full sun. Flower heads are of this lace cap will open mauve, turn steel blue or pink, depending on the soil.

Like their 'French' cousins they like good drainage, good soil and water and fertilizer. But you don't have to hover over them. Just plant them well to begin with and water once a week. Give them acidity, (sulphur) for better blues and alkalinity, (lime) for more pinks.

Don't trim them. Just cut yourself some bouquets. Do yourself a favor...grow some of these. You don't have 15 years to waste.

Zone 6-10.