Question
Hello,
  I live in North Dakota.
 I am hoping you can help me. I have a row of hydrangea plants beside my deck. They are well established. I think they were planted in 1996.
 The problem is we are going to take off the deck and build a new deck out of stone. Ok, how do I save my plants? Do I try and transplant them (they are budding out), or what if I cut them way back loose the blooms from this year but will they bloom next year? I really do not have a perfect spot for them. I would have to transplant them back after the deck is done.
Do you have any ideas for me? I am sorry, I do not know what kind they are as they were here when we bought the house. Thank you so much for your time.

Answer
Hello Debbie

I don't think I'd transplant them.  As you guessed, if you cut them back they will grow next year.  I can't guarantee that they'll flower next year, but they certainly will the year after that.  As a bonus - a good pruning every 4-5 years seems to give these plants more vigor, keeping them neat and bushy.

Gill