Hi John,
I'm Newt, but what Drewhound doesn't know is that I'm a she! :-) Happens all the time.
As to growing hydranges in Texas, it would depend on your hardiness zone. Hydrangeas can be grown as far south as zone 8. They need winter cold to form buds. If you aren't certain of your hardiness zone here is a zip code zone finder.
http://www.gardenweb.com/zones/zip.cgi
Here's a site with loads of info on growing hydrangeas.
http://www.hydrangeashydrangeas.com/index.html
Here's two forums in the US where you might want to do some reading. One is for hydrangeas and one is for gardening in Texas. Be sure if you post the same question on more than one of their forums that you change the title of your post, or their computer will think you are spamming and block you. Do read the instructions and faq's for each forum. If you register, include your hardiness zone in your location.
http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/hydra/
http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/txgard/
DREWHOUND, thanks for the compliment!
Newt