How To Manage A Big Leaf Hydrangea With Large New Branches On One Side and Feeble Old Branches Elsewhere

Question From: Richmond, British Columbia, Canada
Q: I have, what I believe, to be a big leaf Hydrangea with a few large new branches that appeared this summer on the south side of the plant. The rest of the very old plant has feeble branches. How should I prune this plant? i.e. prune back the old feeble branches and the old thick base and let the new strong branches that are only on the one side take over and become a new plant? If so will it take a few years for the new branches to bloom?.

A: Did it ever grow normally? If not you may need to change its location. Best And Happy Yardening, Nancy