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Grow healthy hydrangeas
CA Lappin, by email
APIPPA SAYS Cercospora of leaf spotting on hydrangeas. Others, including powdery mildew, may also lead to purple-brown foliage. I suspect that both of these may be involved in this case.
Hydrangeas enjoy moist soil, so regular watering and a good bulky organic mulch around the entire root area will help to improve the growing conditions, making them less susceptible and better able to cope with any infection. Moist roots and dry air are also key to reducing powdery mildew.
Although you say you take care not to wet the foliage, which is good, it sounds like your plants are rather close, which makes fungal diseases more likely. So consider carefully moving them further apart in autumn. The improved air circulation should really help.