Looks like sun scorch as well, if the plant is getting sun with the brick wall behind it....Reflective heat can be too much for a hydrangea...

Ian

Since it is putting on new growth, I would leave it be for now and let it recover. Make sure to water daily since it is in a pot. I have a large mophead in a pot and I give it 1/2 gallon of water every day. Because it is in a container, it will need more watering than it would in the ground. The newly planted hydrangeas I have in the ground get watered every 3-5 days. I agree with Ian about the sun scorch---and wanted to add that a water stressed plant is more suceptable to insects (I learned it first hand when my limelights (who I neglected on vacation) got spider mites. I treated them, and they are doing what yours are doing... recovering, putting on new growth, but the old leaves look awful.

Thanks, everyone. Yes, too much sun was also a problem. That's why you'll see that the plant is in 2 different locations in the pictures. I moved it to get full afternoon shade once it started looking pitiful. I will make sure to keep it watered and other than that, I will leave it be till next spring. Hopefully it will come back nice and healthy!

Are you planning on overwintering it in your garage? Or burying the pot?

I had planned to put it in my garage for the winter. Do you think that's a good idea?

Yes....should be fine. Have never done it myself though...maybe others will have more tips