What makes hydrangea colors

Work them into the ground along with citrus peel and coffee grounds. As they decompose, the organic materials will add aluminum to the soil making it more acidic. Can hydrangeas turn too blue? If so, you can make your soil more alkaline by adding Garden Lime ; a 6. Search for:. What is used to test soil pH? How do you change soil pH for hydrangeas? Join the conversation. Related Stories. However, now, all the beautiful round flowers have lost their color and look faded. I had this same issue last year and purchased what I was told was needed to bring the color back.

I mixed the stuff with water and it was a messy task. The colors changed very little. I was told last year to put pennys around in the soil and it may change the colors. I did not do that last year, but this year I did. Well, shortly after that, I had one flower turn purple, but the other still remain faded. Do you know of this quirky way to color Hydrangias or is it just a coincident that one turned.

I love these flowers, but I am so frustrated because I cannot keep color in them. Please let me know what else I can do besides make that God awful solution, which by the way smells badly. Thank you, Nancy Freid. Sprinkle a few spoons of ordinary Epsom salts a couple of times in a growing season. White color cannot be changed. Skip to main content. Changing Hydrangeas to Pink or Blue.

By The Old Farmer's Almanac. April 23, Tags Hydrangeas color pink blue. What do you want to read next? Raising or lowering pH takes time for additives to affect soil and is not usually permanent, so you must maintain the desired pH every year for the blooms to stay the color you want. Here are some supplies and tools we find essential in our everyday work in the garden. We may receive a commission from sales referred by our links; however, we have carefully selected these products for their usefulness and quality.

Best Planter Caddies for Healthier Plants. Bigleaf hydrangeas can change color! Get a soil test Whether you grow in a container or in the ground, get a professional soil test to get an accurate measure of whether your soil or potting mix is acidic or alkaline. How to get a professional soil test Your local county extension office or area universities may be able to direct you to a lab where you can send a soil sample to get an accurate test.

For a bigleaf hydrangea to bloom pink, a pH of 6. In fall or early spring, spread dolomitic limestone around the plant at 1 cup per 10 square feet and water in.

Add 1 TBSP hydrated lime to a gallon of water and water once a month starting in early spring. Fertilize with high nitrogen and high phosphorus fertilizer, such as a , to inhibit aluminum uptake. The extra nitrogen will help combat iron chlorosis that may happen if your pH raises above 6. If you want pink hydrangeas, crushed eggshells may be one way to get them. Eggshells will slowly break down and reduce the acidity of your soil—making it harder for hydrangeas to absorb aluminum.

Many gardeners add vinegar to their watering can to change the acidity of their soil and turn their hydrangeas blue. However, you'll probably have better results using Hydrangea Blue , a liquid fertilizer that produces blue flowers. Garden Soil Color in the Garden. Get plant information, gardening solutions, design inspiration and more in our weekly newsletter. More about the newsletter.