Ask-a-Dave's-Gardener: Hydrangea:Fungus?, 1 by Yellowbricks

Yellowbricks wrote:
This hydrangea is many years old, has never been moved and gets morning light. This year the leaves starting turning brown about a month ago. I brought one in to our local nursery help desk who thought it was a fungus but not harmful. She said I could spray fungicide but said it was optional. The winter would take care of it. In the meantime, things have gotten pretty ugly. Any comments, advice or opinions?