soil acidity will not do much for your situation..it sounds like the plant didn't get enough winter protection..the buds on the old wood died during winter but the plant survives and grows new wood and new leaves every year...this is why you see the new leaves at the base...if the leaf buds on the old wood didn't die during winter, you would have seen leaves sprouting out from there..because the growth is from the new wood, and most hydrangeas bloom on old wood, i doubt you have seen too many blooms from these plants either...just leaves probably..my suggestion would be a better winter protection for the plants, wrap them up with burlap or other methods..i dont have all the links about winter protection for hydrangeas but do a search on this forum, I am sure you can find a lot of what to do and what not to do stories...give the plant some fertile soil (compost, dried manure or any kind of balanced shrub fertilizer), enough winter protection, you should get a very nice plant for the next yr...

Thanks for the info orchidacea!! I did leave the old wood but nothing has com eout on it. In addition to the plant from my grandmother (i looked today and the leaves are a little bigger but still relatively small and at the base - maby 3 - 4 inches tall) I also have 2 store bought ones I planted - they don't really seem to have any old wood and the leaves on these are only about an inch. I will try some fertilizer and I guess I'll have to protect them over the winter.
I planted 2 more today - one was a gift that already had blooms and another I bought at Lowe's - I added peat humus, coffee grounds, and soem top soil to the hole - we'll see how these do!

Thanks again

btw - I just notice that you are living in Central NY...the "summer" so far has been quite cool and wet for the NE (I am from Central Jersey)...that maybe a problem for you as well as hyrangeas need 55+F constantly for growth..and optimally in the 70s...make sure you give the plants some morning sun as well...even hydrangeas can do ok in shade conditions, it is best to get them some morning sun...afternoon direct blazing sun during July/Aug will sure burn your plants...give them goo winter protection, i think you are on the right track for some very healthy plants.

Hi, I think we are in similar growing areas, and it has been a slow start for my transplanted plants, what with our nights going down into the 40's some evenings! Just a thought -- when you put the starter from Grandma into the ground, did you trim off some of the top growth? That's the best way to give the roots a chance to catch up with the upper part's demands for water, nutrition, etc. In my yard, starter and transplanted plants often don't bloom till the roots catch up to support the plant, 1 or 2 years maybe. In fact, your transplanted plants need to be watered more often because they've lost a lot of their roots. Water well, not just a little sip; you want the roots to grow deep down from the plant. I do hope Grandma's hyd. takes off one of these days so that you'll have a special treasure to pass on in the future!
Aunt Peach