Changing the Colour of Hydrangea Flowers

Here at our garden centre, we have experienced a wide variety when it comes to the colour of our Hydrangeas. Did you know that you could change the colour of the flowers by changing up the soil?
Let’s first get into a few descriptions to help with the understanding of changing your soil to get the colour Hydrangea that you’re looking for:

What is a pH level and what does it mean?

pH Level: The pH level of soil is determined by the acidity or alkalinity of the soil. A pH level normally falls between 3 and 10. To neutralise your soil, you’ll need a pH level of 7.

Acidity vs Alkalinity

Acidity: Soil acidity is when your soil is in a condition where your pH level of your soil is lower than 7 (neutral).

Alkalinity: The alkalinity of your soil is determined by your pH level reaching above neutral. This means that your pH level has to be above 7.

To test the pH level of your soil, we would recommend you purchase one of our pH testers here at our very own garden centre.

One of the most fun parts of gardening is experimentation. By manipulating the pH of your soil, you can have many various outcomes. The result might shock you when making a few changes regarding your plant’s soil. Beauty upon beauty!

How to change the colour of your Hydrangea:

When your soil reaches a pH lower than 6.0 and preferably between 5.2 to 5.5 , you will notice that your Hydrangea’s flowers will turn blue or lavender-blue. When having a soil pH level between 6 and 7, the petals will then turn purple. Anything above 7 onwards will tend to change your flowers to pink or bright pink.

There are a few ways to turn your soil acidic:

• Well decomposed compost regularly mixed in with your soil.(We at Bergmann’s Garden Centre Supply Acid Compost to assist with more acidic compost)

• Compost Tea

• Coffee grounds

• Elemental garden sulfur

• Organic Mulch

• Ammonium Sulfate

• Sphagnum Peat Moss

• Iron Sulfate

Acidic fertilizer (A good fertilizer to use is Effekto’s Colourburst or Hydrangea food)

All of the above ingredients can be used on its own. There is no need to make a whole grocery list when it comes to changing the pH of your soil and whatever chosen nutrients can be used gradually.

Experimenting with your soil can only bring a successful outcome when it comes to changing the colour of your Hydrangea. There’s no need to add masses of the above, as patience and a good pH tester can ensure you the outcome that you have always wanted!

So, get gardening and enjoy the gift experimentation in your garden can give you.

For more plant advice, be sure to visit our beloved Bergmann’s Garden Centre as our members of staff will be more than willing to assist.