You see, for most French hydrangeas (Hydrangea macrophylla), the flower color indicates the pH of the soil. In strongly acid soil (pH below 6), flowers turn blue. In alkaline soil (pH above 7), flowers turn pink or even red. They stay white regardless of the soil pH.
Furthermore, do white hydrangeas change color?
“White is a pure, wonderfully refreshing color, not just in the garden, in a container on the patio or inside as a fresh cut.” You cannot change the color of white hydrangea flowers to pink or blue, although some begin with white blooms, then age to a pink or tan color.
Beside above, how do you turn pink hydrangeas pink? If you prefer pink blooms, your hydrangea should be deprived of aluminum by growing it in an alkaline soil with a pH of 6.0-6.2. You can apply a high-phosphorus fertilizer to further discourage the uptake of aluminum. To raise the pH of a naturally acidic soil, apply Garden Lime at the rate specified on the package.
Also to know, can pink hydrangeas turn white?
Typically, it would appear that–as they grow older–your pink hydrangeas are showing their age by flowers fading to white. Fortunately, this is not a sign of age, but rather a change over time in the nutrients of your soil; you can restore your pink blooms by re-establishing soil balance.
How do I keep hydrangeas white?
Test the pH level in the soil surrounding the hydrangea. The higher the level, the more acidic it is. Keep the pH level between 6.0 and 6.2. Add a well-balanced, slow release fertilizer containing equal parts of nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium.
14 Related Question Answers Found
Why did my white hydrangea turn green?
As the sepals age, the pink, blue or white pigments overpower the green so colored hydrangea blossoms often fade to green over time. Many gardeners believe that color is controlled solely by the availability of aluminum in the soil. Those green hydrangea flowers turn color with longer days of light.
Will my white hydrangea stay white?
Answer. Not all hydrangea varieties will change color. White hydrangeas stay white no matter what you add to the soil. The common mophead or hydrangea macrophylla will turn pink if the soil pH is above 6.5 and turn blue below 5.5.
Does Epsom salt change the color of hydrangeas?
When the ions of Epsom salt disassociate, they have a neutral effect on the pH of the soil. Since the blue color of a hydrangea is formed by aluminum made available in acid soil, adding Epsom salt would not make your flowers change color.
How long does it take for hydrangeas to change color?
It is easier to change blue flowers to pink than to change pink flowers to blue, and some cultivars are more prone to color variability than others. We recommend waiting until the plant is at least 2 years old to give it time to recover from the shock of its original planting.
Are coffee grounds good for hydrangeas?
If you’re growing hydrangeas, use coffee grounds to affect their color. Coffee grounds add extra acidity to the soil around hydrangeas. On a chemical level, this increased acidity makes it easier for the plant to absorb naturally occurring aluminum in the dirt. The effect is pretty blue clusters of flowers.
Do pennies make hydrangeas blue?
Chasing the Blues. If you yearn for blue flowers, acidic soil — not pennies — can bring the color you seek. Lower your soil’s pH to free aluminum and prompt bluing in hydrangea blooms.
Can you change the color of hydrangeas?
Hydrangea Endless Summer ‘The Original’ But it’s the pH of the soil that determines flower color—specifically, whether or not the hydrangeas are taking up aluminum from the soil. With a pH between 6 and 7, the blooms turn purple or bluish-pink. To lower your pH, add garden sulfur or aluminum sulfate to your soil.
Will vinegar kill hydrangeas?
Though vinegar can be fatal to many common plants, others, like rhododendrons, hydrangeas and gardenias, thrive on acidity which makes a bit of vinegar the best pick-me-up. Combine one cup of plain white vinegar with a gallon of water and use the next time you water these plants to see some amazing results.
What are white hydrangeas called?
Hydrangea paniculata ‘Grandiflora’ is called PeeGee for short (from its initials PG). This white hydrangea bush forms flower heads up to 18 inches long on plants that grow to 25 feet tall. Although there is truly only one PeeGee hydrangea, many Hydrangea paniculata varieties are sold as PeeGee.
Why did my blue hydrangea turn white?
You see, for most French hydrangeas (Hydrangea macrophylla), the flower color indicates the pH of the soil. In strongly acid soil (pH below 6), flowers turn blue. They stay white regardless of the soil pH.
How do I get more blooms on my hydrangea?
How to Get More Smooth Hydrangea Flowers: Plant smooth hydrangeas in full sun if the soil stays moist. Water them during times of drought, especially during the heat of summer. Amend the soil with organic matter (such as compost). Prune stems back in early spring, just before new growth emerges.
How do I get my hydrangeas color back?
Hydrangea colors can be changed by adding white vinegar to the soil for a brighter color but this depends on the acidity of your soil. Like Beth from MA said, they will eventually fade after being on the bush for the season. But they make good dried flowers and they are bigger also.
Can you start hydrangeas from cuttings?
Cut the two remaining leaves in half crosswise (not lengthwise). If available, dip the end of the cutting in rooting hormone. While rooting hormone will increase the chances of successfully propagating hydrangeas, you can still propagate hydrangea shrubs without it. Now, stick the cutting into damp potting soil.
How do I make hydrangeas pink?
Add lime to the soil for pink blooms; add aluminum sulfate for blue blooms. The amount of lime or aluminum sulfate needed depends on the soil composition. If you are dead set on your hydrangea being pink or blue, grow it in a container where you can easily control the soil pH.