Leaf problems-- From several years that I spent in Atlanta, I can tell you that the afternoon sun during the summer is too hard on hydrangeas. Four hours of morning sun should be your "ideal" goal in Georgia. A few hours less is ok but total shade would produce few or no blooms.

For example, mine get about 3 hrs; a lady by my sister's has some that get about 1.5 hours. Her plants look fine but get blooms mostly in the top of her plants.

Exactly how much sun is the plant getting? And from when until when?

If you notice the leaves yellowing or bleaching, the plant is getting too much sun. If a leaf were to turn yellow while the leaf veins remain green, that would be a sign of iron chlorosis and would require ammending the soil. Your description did not mention green veins so I assume you have sunscald.

Drooping Leaves-- In its first summer, the plant should normally go thru wilting episodes quite often. Unless the plant appears extremely wilted, you need not take immediate action. Instead, look at the plant in the morning and see if it has recovered. It usually does. If it does not recover, then increase the amt of water and/or the frequency for the rest of the summer (reduce it in the fall).

The frequency of watering bothers me. You said you water every other day (!). That much water can cause fungal infections and root rot if you keep it for long periods. Water when the soil feels dry or almost dry only. And mulch jeavily, 3-4 inches throught the drip line or slightly beyond.

In sum, make sure the plant is protected from too much sun, do not overwater and NEVER feed (fertilizer) to a plant that is distress.

Luis

I am curious to know more about your watering technique - do you just sprinkle for a few minutes, or do you do deep soaking?