On May 30, 2006, I stood in a field in France and made a proclamation in front of Corinne Mallet, one of the world's leading experts on hydrangeas.

Atlanta, I said, was about as good as it gets when it comes to growing what old-timers call French hydrangeas.

Martha Tate / Special (ENLARGE)

Hydrangea macrophylla 'Mini Penny' is a remontant or repeat blooming hydrangea developed by Michael A. Dirr.

Martha Tate / Special (ENLARGE)

Ozzie Johnson says 'Big Daddy' hydrangea 'was covered in blooms last year' despite the drought.

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Exactly a year later, I was standing in my own yard staring at the crispy, blackened leaves on my mopheads and lacecaps and wondering whether they would ever come back again. The 2007 Easter freeze decimated a lot of the city's big leaf hydrangeas. To add insult to injury, the plants that did bloom became shriveled skeletons as the summer marched on and the drought set in.

Many homeowners have wondered what to do about their damaged plants. While other species of hydrangea fared better last year and bounced back without a hitch this year, some macrophyllas have been a challenge.

Looking up the hill at my neighbor's yard, I see two different scenarios that seem to be typical of the big leaf hydrangeas around town. The pastel blue mopheads next to their driveway are robust and tall and in full bloom, as if nothing had ever happened. Downhill, a second line of plants has dead sticks emerging from a lower mound of thick green foliage. I don't think there's a bloom on any of them.

To get some advice on what should be done with the plants, I called up several people who have grown hydrangeas for a long time and who have seen other years when cold damage harmed the plants.

Everyone agreed that last year's whammy was the worst in memory and that the best survivors were the re-blooming types such as 'Penny Mac' and 'Decatur Blue'. All recommended removing dead branches.

• Gene Griffith and Elizabeth Dean, husband and wife owners of Wilkerson Mill Gardens in Palmetto, sell hydrangeas through www.hydrangea.com.

Gene: "It was pretty interesting to see which ones got hurt. I was surprised that 'Blue Billow', which is an early one, was not nailed. 'All Summer Beauty' was covered in blooms all season and was still going in November.

Elizabeth: "A lot of the florist hydrangeas — those that originated as hothouse plants — were damaged. Also, the darker purple-blue hydrangeas tend to have flowers only on the tips of the branches, and those were killed. Many of the pastel tones set buds on secondary wood. The tips were killed, but the lower blooms survived."

Elizabeth recommends thinning out tender, thick new growth to allow for better air circulation and the development of stronger canes for next year. "If anyone wants to get up close and personal and see how to prune damaged plants, we're open this weekend, June 6, 7 and 8, Friday and Saturday, 9-5 and Sunday from 1 to 5. I've cleaned up a lot of ours, so you can see how to cut the dead canes and thin out the soft new growth."

• Ozzie Johnson has a large hydrangea collection and has introduced several cultivars from Japan: "In my garden this year, the remontant macrophyllas are all doing well. Some of the other macrophyllas have dieback from drought or the cold snap, but some are blooming great. 'Big Daddy' was covered in blooms last year," he said.

• Lisa Bartlett, chairwoman of the American Hydrangea Society's 2008 tour and a hydrangea collector: " 'Penny Mac,' 'Mini Penny' and 'Decatur Blue' all came through great. 'Shooting Stars' was damaged. 'Margaret Moseley' is looking pretty this year with lots of white blooms."

Lisa said there is a "members only" tour sponsored by the American Hydrangea Society on June 14, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. You can join the society and attend the tour for $20 individual and $25 for a household. Memberships are available in advance only at Arthur A. "Buck" Jones & Associates, Grayson (770-963-8227) and Woodstock (770-345-5506); Ashe-Simpson Garden Center (770-458-3224); Boxwoods Gardens & Gifts (404-233-3400); Habersham Gardens (404-873-2484); and Wilkerson Mill Gardens (770-463-2400).

• Mike Dirr, author of "Hydrangeas for American Gardens," has introduced many well-known cultivars. "The remontant types are the best looking this year. Keep the spent blooms cut, and fertilize occasionally. In the future, you're going to see more hydrangeas that will bloom from June to October and November. We have some unbelievable colors coming down the road. It's a few years away, but you're going to see a deep gentian blue mophead that will re-bloom."

MARTHA'S PICK

Re-blooming big leaf hydrangea

Botanical name: Hydrangea macrophylla 'Mini Penny'

About the plant: This re-blooming, compact hydrangea was developed by Michael A. Dirr and named for the late Penny McHenry, founder of the American Hydrangea Society. Growing 3 feet to 4 feet tall with a similar spread, the deciduous shrub produces pink or blue (depending on the acidity of the soil), globe-shaped flowers from June until frost. 'Mini Penny' blooms on old and new wood and is a hardy plant to recommend to Northern friends.

Use in the garden: Great in a container or small area.

Planting and care: Plant in semi-shade to shade in rich, well-drained soil. Penny McHenry used homemade compost for her "babies." Remove spent flowers to promote new blooms. Keep evenly watered.

Source: Ashe-Simpson Garden Center, 4961 Peachtree Industrial Blvd., Atlanta GA 30341; 770-458-3224; e-mail: csimpson@fdn.com

Martha Tate is a writer who lives in Atlanta.