My hydrangeas all of a sudden are turning brown. What's happening to them?

They were doing so well and all of a sudden the flowers went from purple to brown, shriveled up and looking lifeless. Some of the leaves have brown spots on them too. I think perhaps maybe they're getting too much sun? I planted them in the front of the house where the sun rises in the morning. I have trees that block the sun first thing in the morning. They get the most sun from 10 to 12. Is this what's causing them to turn brown or could it be something else?

My hydrangeas all of a sudden are turning brown. What's happening to them?
its not likely to be the sun that's the problem, they actually prefer more shade,I would check it very carefully for insects or fungus, though they are generally very resistant to these things, they are susceptible to blight...from your description it sounds like its is =botrytis blight that you have, what you need to do is, make sure the plant is getting enough air circulation, and protect it from humidity if possible, make sure you do not water it late in the day, remove all the diseased parts even any that are on the ground near it, and apply a combination of chlorothalonil and mancozeb , which you should be able to get at a lawn and garden place, good luck!
Reply:I agree with Miss Fortune. It is most likely a fungus. I have been having similar symptoms on my roses this year, so I consulted a horticulturist. He said it sounded like a fungus. Good luck!
Reply:Hydrangeas like acidic soil. Bring a sample of your soil to a garden store to see if they can test it for you.
Reply:Are they getting enough water? Hydrangeas require quite a bit of water and you mentioned that they had flowered...check the moisture...in this hot weather, they need extra to be happy!