Dead Parts Of Climbing Hydrangea Were Trimmed Back Yet Continued To Die Back More

Question From: d. evans - Michigan, United States
Q: after two severe Michigan winters there were branches of my climbing hydrangea damaged / dead. I trimmed these back in early spring. To my disappointment, these same trimmed branches died back even further. What did I do wrong?

A: I don't think you did anything wrong. Branches that were green in spring may have suffered unseen damage continued to die back. It has been very dry the past several weeks. Be sure to keep what is left watered. Best Nancy