Yes, new growth on shrubs is a sign they are waking up from winter dormancy and it is time to remove any dead, diseased or damaged branches by following them to a joint. You can also shorten any extra long branches but when it comes to hydrangeas you need to know that most of the old fashioned ball type of hydrangeas flower on two year old wood - so if you snip off the new green growth you are also removing the branches that would have bloomed this summer. Some of the newer hydrangea varieties such as the 'Endless Summer' hydrangeas will flower on new and old wood so these can be made more compact and they will still reward you with flowers. A good compromise is to try and shorten the branches that flowered last summer - you may see old flower heads still clinging to these. Or shorten just half the branches so you still get some flowers this summer. Keep growing, Marianne Binetti