The Ultimate Hydrangea Guide Recap!
Hydrangeas are a perfectly pretty addition to any garden, and I know from all of your questions about them that y’all love hydrangeas as much as I do! I get a ton of questions regarding these gorgeous blooms, from planting to fertilizing and deadheading, you want to know the best ways to care for them to ensure they come back year after year. That is one of the main reasons we put together the Ultimate Hydrangea Guide for you. Make sure you’ve downloaded the PDF so it’s handy to reference year after year!
I wanted to break down some of the guide’s tidbits so you are confident about the best hydrangea choice for your zone! The five most common hydrangea types are: Bigleaf, Panicle, Smooth, Oakleaf, and Mountain. Below are a few of the questions I regularly get from y’all!
When is the best time to plant hydrangeas?
Fall! Planting them during early fall gives hydrangeas enough time to establish a healthy root system. It is super important to maintain an adequate watering schedule with any new plantings. Here are a couple of my favorite tools for watering hydrangeas well!
What kind of soil do hydrangeas like?
Hydrangeas need well-drained soil that is plentiful in organic matter. Without good drainage, the soil can become waterlogged and potentially result in root diseases. To increase organic matter, simply mix in compost before planting! This rose food is fabulous on hydrangeas!
Can I control the color of my hydrangea blooms?
One thing I think is so unique about hydrangeas is their ability to change colors—it’s so fun! The primary factor influencing the hues of blooms is soil pH. The pH level affects the soil’s aluminum ions, which in turn affects the color pigments produced by hydrangea plants. In acidic soil (pH below 7), hydrangeas typically produce blue or purple flowers. Aluminum ions are more readily available in acidic soil, so the plant absorbs the ions, forming anthocyanins pigments. This is what gives the flowers their blue or purple color. In alkaline soil (pH above 7), hydrangeas typically produce pink or reddish flowers. Aluminum ions are not as available in alkaline soil, so the plant absorbs more of the element calcium.
This leads to the production of pigments that create pink or red flowers. To change the color of your hydrangeas, you can use specific chemicals to alter the soil pH. Aluminum sulfate is a super-common chemical used to turn hydrangea blooms blue! It acidifies the soil, which lowers its pH and increases the availability of aluminum ions, lending the flowers a classic blue hue. Add to the soil around the base of the plant. To encourage pink or red hydrangeas, sprinkle agricultural lime, also known as garden lime or calcium carbonate, on the soil to raise the pH and make it more alkaline. This reduces the availability of aluminum ions and produces the pretty pinkish-red color.
