Ignite Your Senses With Hydrangeas

Hydrangeas are some of the most versatile shrubs you’ll find. They thrive in sun and shade (preferring more shade in warmer climates) and provide a bounty of blooms at the height of the growing season. Hydrangeas range greatly in size from just 1′ to 8′ depending on the cultivar and have a variety of uses in the landscape.

Is It Pink Or Is It Blue? It’s Up To You

“How do I turn my hydrangeas blue?” It’s one of the most commonly asked questions gardeners have about their Hydrangeas. White flowered varieties cannot be turned a color, but pink and blue ones often can shift in color.

Though soil pH is most commonly credited with turning the flowers pink or blue, it is actually the availability of aluminum in the soil that makes the difference. In order for aluminum to be taken up by the plants’ roots, the soil pH must be low, in the range of 5.2-5.5. In acidic soil, the flowers tend to be blue. If the soil pH is more alkaline, meaning higher than 7.0, the flowers will be pink.

Use a pH meter to measure the acidity of your soil to determine if it is acidic or alkaline. The meters are commonly sold at independent garden centers for a low cost. If it is too alkaline, add aluminum sulfate to the soil to lower its pH. You may need to do this more than once per season if your soil is naturally alkaline. Hydrangeas thrive in soils that are naturally acidic where no supplemental aluminum is needed.