I have a young Hydrangea shrub. Should I prune all of my brown leaves?

Question

There are some brown leaves from inadequate watering.

Answer 1

Do not prune.  Leave the stem if it is alive (you can tell by scratching the bark a little with your fingernail--green means alive, brown means dead).  Pruning hydrangea now may prune off the buds for next year's blooms.  You wouldn't get any flowers next year!  Go ahead and pick off the dead leaves with your fingers if they are too unsightly for you.  The best time to prune is immediately after flowering, before new buds have a chance to set.  Happy gardening!