We had a hydrangea bush in the yard when we moved in some fifty years ago. It’s still going strong and is as lovely as ever. This year, the bush is outdoing itself in splendor. As it evolves this year, we have pink, blue, lavender, and mint green colors.
Hydrangeas mainly flower in shades of blue, pink, and white, but the coloring can depend on the type of soil. Some hydrangeas produce blue flowers on acid soils and pink on alkaline soils. And certain plants produce better color than others. Generally speaking, acidic soil, with a pH lower than 6.0, yields blue or lavender-blue hydrangea blooms. Alkaline soil, with a pH above 7.0, promotes pinks and reds. 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. Simple as that, and if you’re looking for long-lasting beauty in your yard, plant a hydrangea bush.
