Lacecap Hydrangea Bud Damage from Weather Fluctuations in Seattle

A Seattle gardener's lacecap hydrangea had bright green leaves and buds after a warm Jan/Feb, but after March cold snaps, leaf tips are dry, brown, curled, and buds look dried.

Cause

Tom attributed it to weather damage: cold snaps after premature growth damage flower buds. The rest of the plant is fine. He linked to a hydrangea resource site.

Hydrangea buds are sensitive to late freezes after warm spells.