Hydranger Colour

Jtwcalibra

If I plant a Hydranger Macrophylla in ericaceous compost will it keep its blue flower colour?

Yviestevie

I've recently planted a blue hydrangea in a tub with ericaceous compost and it started to turn pink.  I've bought some colourant from a garden centre and the new flower is true blue. 

Jtwcalibra

Thanks for that Yviestevie,,I will try that before it starts going pink !

Lyn

I have never known of a blue hydrangea turning pink in acid soil. 
Mine are blue in acid soil, the 2nd photo is a newer one still on the turn. The white ones stay white. 
Plants 

Fran IOM

@Lyn Beautiful Hydrangeas! I was interested to know how old they are as to how long it took for them to get to that size. As I have two to plant out I need to know how much space to give them. I have a feeling yours have had some years to get to that size. Thanks

Lyn

Not at all Fran, the one in the first picture had been in for quite a few years but last year I cut it back, you lose flowers in that year but the following year they are even better.
the ones in the 2nd photo are from cuttings done about 5 years and have been in about 4 maybe 5 years, the rest of the cuttings are still in 6” flower pots, can’t find any spaces for them yet😀

This row were cut/sawn right down to the ground last April, they soon bounce back. 

This one gets hacked about as soon as it starts to escape, he’s about 15’ across, they do like to be in open ground though they really are not suitable for pots. 

Fran IOM

Thanks for getting back Lyn. Can't believe how quickly they have grown back. I really thought they must have been there since the year dot. Shan't be worried about pruning mine back at any time. The two I have growing at the moment were only like pieces of wood when they were planted so really they have done well. (Probably from a skip knowing my son). I know now how much space to give them. They won't be in pots. I'm sure you will find a space for your cuttings soon enough. You are known not to buy any plants and I'm not surprised. It's funny how you get fixated on certain plants and then you start seeing them everywhere as before you hardly noticed them. Have seen some lovely colours too. 
That has been very informative so thank you for getting back to me. 

Lyn

My dad started the cuttings fixation, he would pick bits from everywhere he went, my mum would walk away from him😀
he loved the hydrangeas. 

Fran IOM

I always remember an aunt of mine who used to break pieces off plants as she passed people's gardens and then just stick them in her garden when she got home and they grew! You must have your Dad's genes. 

Lyn

I certainly have my dad’s Genes Fran, two peas in a pod we were.😀

luis_pr

Love those blue blooms! I tested my soil years ago and its pH was alkaline and contains aluminum so pink/blue/purple mopheads and lacecaps always end up a shade of pink. After I purchased a mislabeled rebloomer lacecap hydrangea decades ago, I decided to acidify the soil around just that hydrangea and got it to turn a very nice purple. I liked it so much that I decided not to try for blues! Ha! Such is life...

Oh, I also wanted to add that yes, you can get blooms in shades of pink with acidic soils if the soil has no or has very, very little aluminum. Aluminum is what triggers the blues. In acidic soils, the aluminum does not get tied with other chemicals and the roots can absorb it easily. In alkaline soils, aluminum chemically combines with other chemicals and the roots can no longer absorb it.