There is a wealth of info on the internet on how to change the colors of the Hydrangea. I just wanted to see what color they would bloom without any additives. I read that it is impossible to change a white Hydrangea to any other color.
Fertilizers with high levels of phosphorus helps to prevent aluminum from creeping into the Hydrangea system leaving it pink. Aluminum must be present in the soil to obtain a blue color.
Fertilizers low in phosphorus and high in potassium will help it turn blue. It's almost impossible to control the intensity of the color.
Water can also contaminate the soil you have balanced. You could have your water tested.
Hydrangeas near concrete foundations or sidewalks will be difficult to turn blue because of the lime leaching out of these structures.
As I read on the internet and have been told by Ms. Doris, and she knows, it's easiest to control the colors of the Hydrangea if you grow them in containers. Planted in the ground you will have to continue to add to the soil to keep the color you have changed it to
What is the most common color Hydrangea you see..blue or pink?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Today I am Thankful for having so much information at my finger tips!
23 comments:
White. The ones that change colors don't do well here--too cold. If they did grow here, they would all be pink. We sit on a limestone base and have moderately alkaline soil.
Marnie
Our soil here is high in lime, so "endless summer" , if it over-winters is almost always pink. I am going to try to amend with aluminum sulphate to see if I can get them to bloom in blue. I always grow them in containers the first year and they are usually blue. I wonder if aluminum sulphate will make the limelight hydrangea's green more intense??
You don't see them this far south. I love them, but they don't like it here. I will enjoy them through your pics and others who grow them.
FlowerLady
I used to have a hydrangea that grew next to the outside A/C unit right next to the concrete pad. It was very blue. Go figure. Since moving to our present house I haven't tried hydrangea. I would love to try an oakleaf variety. Maybe soon. I love them and think they are so indicative of Southern gardens.
Blue. I've heard that coffee grounds also contribute to a blue flower. I have one in the garden near the porch and it is suppose to be purple. It is about to bloom so we'll see.
Around here, most of them seem to have mixed blue and pink blooms. I try and fight to make mine stay blue lol. One year, I fertilized with miracle gro Azalea and Camellia fertilizer in the spring before blooming, and the blooms were a VIVID pink. So if you want vivid pink, do it lol.
I have seen whites and blues --but I'm not sure I've seen any pinks... Can't wait to see yours when it really turns pink. That is special!
Hugs,
Betsy
Pretty colours, pink is the most common around here Darla.
Hi Darla~~ Around here they are a mix of colors, including deep purple. It seems that hybridizers are creating more cultivars, like the white ones, that are not affected by the soil pH, rendering me thoroughly confused on the subject. :)
I've never tried to grow hydrangeas. It'll be interesting to see what yours does.
Thanks for the interesting information once again. I should be turning blue for all the potassium I consume...
I see more pinks
Love the Hydrangea no matter the colors...mine are the white that turn pink and green as they age. Loveum.
BlessYa
All that I have is white hydrangea's. They are the old fashioned variety that I got starts from down the street. I didn't know they would grow so easily but I think I will try more.Thanks for the info.
All that I have is white hydrangea's. They are the old fashioned variety that I got starts from down the street. I didn't know they would grow so easily but I think I will try more.Thanks for the info.
Wow. I have never heard of changing the color. Vicki brought me one in honor of Granny. I will be showing it on my blog soon.
The most common ones I see here in KS are white. The Prairie Wild Rose is blooming here now. It is a native rose, and one of my favorites. I did a post on it this morning. Come for a visit.
Suzanne
Thanks for information on hydrangea color changes. I've probably seen more white than any other color, but I hope yours turns out to be pink so you can share it with us.
Blue, but maybe you just told me how to get a pink one. Plant it next to the sidewalk. Granny's were always a gorgeous blue, probably because there was NO concrete in her yard at all!
I wish I could grow any color. I think they are so pretty. I have tried one and it didn't do well in Austin. I want to try an oakleaf hydrangea.
I just stopped by to see what I've missed. Thanks for the walk thru your Dad's and Miss Doris's garden. Really enjoyed them both. Jean
Mostly blue, mine don't do very well. Good luck with your peonies.
Around town, purple and blue. In my own yard, never. I've still not seen a bloom on any of my hydrangeas. True, they're small, but they should at least produce something. Maybe I'm doing it wrong. I'm trying to be patient.
I believe I have seen more blue.
I mostly see blue.
I have one beside my house that I have added nothing to the soil and it is always blue.
I usually only have a few blooms. But this year that thing is covered. They are all green right now. I can't wait till they bloom. And I am wondering if they will be blue again.
Post a Comment