Looks like last year's stems did not survive winter. I would prune them out now (or if you want to make sure, wait until month end and then prune then all the way down if they have not leafed out).

Your reblooming BC should produce bloomage in the summer time from this new growth. In the northernmost locations, some of these shrubs can leaf out late but, seeing how much foliage you already have from the base, I would have expected some leaves by now from those dead sticks. So I vote to prune them down.

Luis

PS - Ah, I have the same watering can that you have!

You don't say where you might be located but bigleaf hydrangeas (H. macrophylla) really require winter protection in zones below 7. Without protection, the old growth is frequently affected by winter cold or late spring freezes and dies off. Blue Cassell is a variety that blooms both old growth and new growth so the basal foliage you see will hopefully result in some flowers later in the season. The dried, bare sticks however do need to be removed - carefully clip them off at the base if they show no signs of any green growth or buds.

If you live in a colder zone you will want to check through the archives or older posts on this forum regarding winter protection - there's lots of methods!!

Blue Cassell is not winter hardy at all in zone 6 and below.

To make matters worse, it's among the slowest to start new growth from the base.

If you can't get it to perform well over the next several years, consider containerizing it permanently (shelter in 32+ temps for Winter) or get rid of it in favor of something like H serrata Tuff Stuff.

"Blue Cassell is not winter hardy at all in zone 6 and below."

Interesting that you should have this conclusion. The variety was developed in northeastern Ohio - generally considered a z5b - by noted local nurseryman Curt Cassell. The plant must have survived a few OH winters before being released to the market.........

Well the crowns are all winter hardy, just not the stems. It's also awful with late freezes, dreadful in fact.

I've had one since it was first released years ago and it gets killed back repeatedly. In fact it's within feet of a Nikko and an Expression which 18" of various stems survived - BC, maybe a couple inches. Last year I also bought a second BC to try in a different more sheltered location and same result.

NE Ohio is also notorious (personal observation) for mild micro-climates, potentially having to do with proximity to Lake Erie and potentially also the timing of breaking dormancy with respect to late season freezes..

It's also a low stem producer per year, maybe a dozen max, as the pic above shows.

If growing in harsher climates, I'd place BC about 3' back from the front of a bed as it will grow maybe about 30" max per season and only churn out several blooms (if killed back each year).

F&E Summer Lace is another that would also fare much better, but not as well as Tuff Stuff.