SHRUBS > HYDRANGEA > BLUE - FLOWERING
IN THIS usher
HYDRANGEA GUIDES
Climbing HydrangeaCompanion PlantsContainer GrowingCuttings PropagationDrying FlowersKeeping Flowers BlueLeaves Turning BrownPruningVarieties – Dwarf Varieties
Some hydrangea will be pink or blue depending on the pH of the soil in a garden and its mineral makeup .
For blue efflorescence on your hydrangea the land needs to have an acidic pH level of between 5.2 and 5.5 .
It will also need grime that has a high stratum of aluminium in its chemical , mineral piece .
It is potential to keep a sorry hydrangea blue air , even when the soil will not of course allow it , but you ’ll need to keep up an acidifying modus operandi over clip .
And it will not be the most eco - friendly or sustainable alternative .
Why Common Solutions Are Not A Good Idea
Do not be tempt to buy ‘ blueing factor ’ like aluminium sulphate !
result are fast – and these will sure as shooting keep blue hydrangeas blue over metre .
However , a lot of this gist will concentrate pH more than you wish well , and it can also potentially touch phosphorus levels in soil .
Since atomic number 15 is one of three key nutrients call for for plant development , this can have prejudicious effect on the garden.1Cho , R. ( 2013 , April 1).Phosphorus : of the essence to Life — Are We Running Out?State of the Planet . retrieve March 20 , 2023 , fromhttps://news.climate.columbia.edu/2025-04-06/phosphorus-essential-to-life-are-we-running-out/
Applying aluminium sulphate can also moderate to excessive and potentially toxic levels of atomic number 13 in soil.2Panhwar , Q. A. , Naher , U. A. , Radziah , O. , Shamshuddin , J. , & Razi , I. M. ( 2015 ) . eradicate Aluminum Toxicity in an Acid Sulfate Soil for Rice Cultivation Using Plant Growth Promoting Bacteria . Molecules,20(3 ) , 3628–3646.https://doi.org/10.3390 / molecules20033628
This not only makes it difficult to garden successfully but also damages the precious ecosystem of the land which – as constitutional nurseryman – we should be doing our very best to protect .
You should also fend off synthetical fertiliser – those which carry ammonium sulfate or ammonium nitrate for lesson .
These may be somewhat effective in make dirt more acidic , but the cost are too not bad to countenance .
Avoid these harmful products at all cost to secure that you are not contributing to our mood crisis or environmental destruction.3Buckler , L. ( 2018 , April 1).The Hidden Dangers of Chemical Fertilizers . Occupational Health & Safety . recover March 20 , 2023 , fromhttps://ohsonline.com/articles/2025-04-18/the-hidden-dangers-of-chemical-fertilizers.aspx
The ammonia manufacture , from which synthetic nitrogen fertilisers are derived , is one of the most tough and polluting industries , and one of the master contributor to global warming.4Ammonia emissions from USDA retain to sit problem for Europe . ( 2019 , June 28 ) . European Environment Agency . Retrieved March 20 , 2023 , fromhttps://www.eea.europa.eu/highlights/ammonia-emissions-from-agriculture-continue
Do n’t use peat moss peat moss / peat to bring acidulousness either .
As an eco - friendly gardener , it is important to remember that peat bogs are an crucial carbon sink.5Peatlands storage twice as much carbon as all the world ’s forest . ( 2019 , February 1 ) . United Nations Environment Programme . regain March 20 , 2023 , fromhttps://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/story/peatlands-store-twice-much-carbon-all-worlds-forests
bring to their end through your gardening practices is never a sustainable choice .
Is Blue Hydrangea Really Right For You?
Trying to keep dingy hydrangea blue in an expanse where they are not naturally this subtlety is a lot of work .
And really , you postulate to ask yourself whether it is really worth the hassle .
You may favor the blueness to the pink blooms that would naturally hap on a hydrangea in the garden .
But in that instance , you might be better simply to take a different plant .
There is nothing wrong with pink hydrangeas either .
These can be attractive in a garden too if this is the natural chromaticity for these plants where you know .
So you are serious to bosom the pink , or , if you really dislike the pinkish efflorescence , to take the plant or plants and prefer for a unlike planting scheme instead .
If you do resolve to grow a blue hydrangea in a garden with more indifferent or alkaline soil , conceive carefully before you adjudicate to bother with this .
aboveboard , it is far , far well to choose flora that are already ideally suited to the instinctive soil condition where you live .
“ If you ’re concerned in the science behind Hydrangea colours , ” allege Horticulturist Colin Skelly , “ check outthis articlefrom American Scientist . ”
“ However , the precept of right plant , right place is [ always ] the best option – do n’t fight the soil condition , work with them . ”
If you really are dead set on having a blue - flowered hydrangea , it is best to grow it in a container , so you’re able to more easy manage the intense ongoing subroutine and verify you’re able to maintain the right acidulous and Al - productive conditions which are require without cause as much damage in the surrounding ecosystem .
How To Keep Soil Acidic For Potted Hydrangeas
To ensure that you assert the proper , acidic conditions for a grim hydrangea maturate in a pot or container , you will ask touse an ericaceous compost , and refill it on a regular basis .
Adding sulphur , and acidic organic materials may also help to a arcdegree , though these will only sour soil very slowly , and will not always do so to the level required to keep your hydrangea flower blue .
If you do consider adding sulphur to the dirt , or to a growing mass medium you are using , think of that its efficaciousness will vary count on the report of the soil or potting mix .
The acidity of the mix will also depend on the water you utilize to water them , and on the natural rainfall in your area , so this is another of import factor to take into account .
Fertilisers which are low in phosphorous and in high spirits in potassium can also be helpful in producing good gamy colouration .
A good plant food ratio to aim for is 25/5/30 NPK , though remember that you should always seek out organic fertilisers ( or make your own ) .
You will ask tomonitor and maintain the pH of your soil – usually through the use of filth testing kits .
It might also be deserving checking outother associate plants that also favour acidulent dirt conditions .
Alternative Shrubs With Blue Flowers
If you are struggle to keep your hydrangea blue , then you may be advantageously simply choosing an alternative shrub with blue flowers .
dingy flowers can be beautiful in a garden – and hydrangea certainly are n’t the only option .
Some other shrub with blue flowers to look at let in :
Of all of these , Ceanothus is perhaps the bestalternative shrub for down flowersfor areas where there is alkaline or neutral soil .
It will thrive in many gardens as long as it is in a sunny pip , with moist but well - drained or well - drained land , and will not require an intensive regime to defend its blue bloom over time .
Its blooms are even more impressive than those on a hydrangea , and there are multifariousness that can be opt for on-key dismal flower throughout much of the twelvemonth .
There are also plenty of other blue inflorescence perennials to believe for the place empty by a hydrangea whose blooms are somewhat varying in a garden .
Don’t Be Blue
If you choose the ripe plants for the position then you’re able to revel blue blooms in the garden over a long period of clip , without give to do a lot of upkeep study .
Remember , it is always better to choose plant suited to the garden , rather than trying to amend conditions to suit specific plant life .
take the correct plants for the right place and you could create a far more low - maintenance and eco - friendly garden .
