Purchased Blue hydrangea insists on being PINK! - Ask Extension
I have a hydrangea which was blue when purchased but has been PINK each year after wintering in my soil. I have used fertilizer from HydrangeasPlus, w...
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Purchased Blue hydrangea insists on being PINK! #874341
Asked June 23, 2024, 8:07 PM EDT
I have a hydrangea which was blue when purchased but has been PINK each year after wintering in my soil. I have used fertilizer from HydrangeasPlus, which should help keep the blooms blue, plus I use the standard blue-forcing chemical soil additive. It's the one sold in a blue package at all garden centers but I tossed the package last week so I can't look it up at this very moment. What is the most aggressive method recommended to acidify the soil sufficiently to get back the blue blossoms? Or is there more involved than soil acidity.
Washington County Oregon
Expert Response
Our native soil is acidic, and the blue fertilizer would make it stay acidic. The selection you have may be more or less sensitive to soil ph. Have you tested your ph?
Check with the nursery where you bought it. They may have experience with your plant and what it takes to change the flower color. Extension doesn’t have data for specific cultivars.
Check with the nursery where you bought it. They may have experience with your plant and what it takes to change the flower color. Extension doesn’t have data for specific cultivars.
