Cut the leaves off or wait for them to drop on their own.

If you are panicky about that, consider cutting the leaf itself about an inch or two from where the leaf connects to the stem. Less if you want. The part left will, in time, disintegrate on its own by Spring. It is a similar approach to the one used when deadheading blooms this time of the year.

We recently had a cold spell too that, I originally thought was going to turn the leaves to mush but, eh, I saw no damage to any hydrangea leaves. Now temps are heading north to the 80s and low in the 70s... Sigh.... No wonder hydrangeas stay "awake" so late over here. Going dormant over here must be like trying to sleep with someone snoring nearby. :o)

Luis

Here is a link that might be useful: Pruning and deadheading info

Thank you so much. I have an mophead that has never been bothered by the cold, so this was new to me. Love hydrangeas.

To clarify: I just strip off the frozen leaves & don't trim back any of the branches?

That or you could even leave the leaves on the plant. That is what I usually do since the leaves and blooms "disintegrate" during the winter months. However, I do not recommend leaving the leaves on the shrub thru winter if the plant's leaves have a lot of fungal issues; in that case, you should dispose of the leaves early and throw them in the trash (not in a compost pile)

pattyokie,

"I have an mophead that has never been bothered by the cold, so this was new to me."

You know, that's how ES was discovered. You might have another million dollar plant in your yard. And I'm not kidding.