It seems as if they would be pretty rough textured. Incidently, lettuce is a great crop to grow in a cold frame or hot bed, along with spinach, during the winter. I have an old hydrangea, at least 20 years old. I started pruning about ten years ago, but the shape leaves much to be desired since I started pruning. It was more shapely and full when my husband just left it, but it was too large for our small side yard.
Hydrangeas are probably one of the most misunderstood plants, when it comes to pruning.
Most often, they are pruned severly, which causes the plants to send out long spindly growth, which often doesn't bloom. Otherwise, leave them alone. The best time to prune is mid-February. I have a weeping French Pussywillow that has been in the ground for about three years. I would like to move it to an area about 30 feet from where it is now that stays very damp in the winter.