Changing the Color of Hydrangeas

Well you may have noticed we have made an overhaul to our arrangement website. We have improved the navigation and overall apearance. Thanks for your orders because they are what make this site possible. One of the most noticable features that we have implemented is the automatic posting of the photos the day the arrangements are created. We also have added a Flickr tab to our facebook page for also viewing the creations.

Well you may have noticed we have made an overhaul to our arrangement website. We have improved the navigation and overall apearance. Thanks for your orders because they are what make this site possible. One of the most noticable features that we have implemented is the automatic posting of the photos the day the arrangements are created. We also have added a Flickr tab to our facebook page for also viewing the creations.

Hydrangeas are often thought of as the chameleons of the flower world because they change color based on the soil conditions. You can actually have one plant with different color blooms and in some cases one bloom with multiple colors. Want to see for yourself? Here’s how to see them change color:

First of all, cheap
make sure have the right variety in the right environment…You can make Big Leaf Hydrangeas switch from pink to purple to blue or vice versa, salve
however white hydrangeas will stay white no matter what. Changing flower color requires changing the soil properties, which is easier done with potted plants. That being said, these tips will work on plants in the ground, but it may be a little more difficult.

Turing your hydrangeas blue is done by lowering the pH in the soil to 4.5-5 and increasing the amount of aluminum present. There are a few ways which can be accomplished; you can add a small amount of aluminum sulfate to the plant. Placing several nails right below the plant usually does the trick as well. Dumping coffee grounds in the soil will help keep the pH low.

Making your hydrangeas pink is done by raising the pH and depriving the plants of aluminum. The ideal soil pH for pink hydrangeas is 6.0-6.5, keeping the pH in this range will ensure the plants can’t access the aluminum in the soil. Add lime to raise the pH or plant your hydrangeas near a sidewalk or concrete foundation…Lime tends to leach out of cement and helps keeps hydrangeas pink.

You can also create purple hydrangeas by balancing the pH between the ranges state above (soil pH between 5-5.5 is ideal for purple hydrangeas).

Keep in mind that you have to continue to adjust the soil’s pH to maintain the desired color. We also recommend that plants be at least 2 years old before you attempt the color change.

Shop for cut hydrangeas here.

Here are some photos of hydrangeas grown on Vogue’s Hanover farm: