It is possible to change the color of your hydrangea.

Bloom colors range from blue to pink and all the shades in between, depending on the pH of the soil. pH is a measure of how acidic or alkaline the soil is.

Generally speaking, the bloom color of lacecap and mophead or Macrophylla Hydrangeas indicates the pH of your soil. Soil with a pH lower than 6.0, blooms are blue or lavender-blue. Alkaline soil, with a pH above 7.0, yields pink and red blooms. Anything between 6.0 and 7.0 has purple to blue blooms. White hydrangeas typically stay white.

Bloom color can be adjusted in certain varieties of hydrangeas, including nearly every variety of Macrophylla, such as the Proven Winner’s Cityline Hydrangea, and Serrata Hydrangea, such as Proven Winner’s Tiny Tuff Stuff Hydrangea. Hydrangeas that are unable to change color, include:

• Arborescens-Annabelle
• Paniculata-Limelight
• Anomola-Climbing
• Quercifolia- Oakleaf

Most of these are cone-shaped Hydrangeas, which bloom white and gradually fade to varying shades of pink in the fall. The color of the popular Annabelle Hydrangeas, which feature large white ball-shaped blooms, as well as newer pink versions cannot be changed.

The Color Change Process

Start your color change process by conducting a soil test to determine the pH of your soil. Bring in a sample of soil to your local English Gardens and an associate will provide a personal in-store soil test consultation.

To raise the pH in your garden and yield pink blooms, use Espoma Garden Lime, found at all English Gardens locations. To lower the soil’s pH and produce blue blooms, utilize Espoma Soil Acidifier.

After applying the necessary products, it is a waiting game. You may have to reapply several times and wait several months before you notice a change. Altering your soil to change a hydrangea’s color is not a one-time thing. You’ll have to continually add minerals to maintain to your soil’s altered conditions.

LA Dreamin’ Hydrangea

Why choose between blue, pink or purple? LA Dreamin’, which cannot be color changed, features all three in a spectacular array of colors. It is a hardy Hydrangea that will bloom even in our tough Michigan winters. It is also a great cut flower that will last long in any vase.

To learn more about hydrangeas, visit your local English Gardens store and talk to one of our nursery associates, or read another one of our hydrangea blogs.