Hydrangeas grow beautiful big blooms of a deep pink colour with simple ingredient
Gardening expert Allen Smith shared the easy way to make hydrangeas grow lovely pink blooms.
Mophead hydrangeas burst into bloom in June, but it's the soil that determines whether they flower pink or blue.
An acidic soil pH level of 5.5 and below results in blue blooms while a pH balance of 5.5 to 6.5 turns into purple blooms.
An alkaline soil pH level of 6 to 6.2 leads to gorgeous pink blooms, but how can you influence the pH of the soil?
"If you are dead set on your hydrangea being pink or blue, grow it in a container where you can easily control the soil pH," said Smith.
The pH level of the soil determines how much aluminum H. macrophylla can be absorbed; if a lot is absorbed in acidic soils then there will be a display of blue blooms.
In alkaline soil, not much aluminum H. macrophylla is absorbed resulting in stunning pink blooms.
To influence the pH of the soil, one simple ingredient could make sure the blooms are pretty and pink.
"Add lime to the soil for pink blooms," Smith revealed, adding that the amount required is dependent on the soil composition.
Lime is a soil conditioner that controls the acidity of the soil by neutralising the effects of acids. Garden lime can be bought online and from garden centres.
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Some hydrangeas flowers more easily to turn pink include:
- Hydrangea macrophylla "Hot Red Violet"
- Hydrangea macrophylla "King George"
- Hydrangea "Preziosa"
- Hydrangea macrophylla "Rotschwanz"
- Hydrangea paniculata "Wim's Red"
- Hydrangea "Miss Saori"
- Hydrangea paniculata "Vanille Fraise"
Some of these hydrangeas will still turn pink if grown on neutral soil, which can mature into deep, gorgeous shades of red and burgundy.
Hydrangea
The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) said these showy flowers will continue to display pretty blooms until late summer.
Newly planted hydrangeas require regular watering if there's been "no significant rain for seven to 10 days".
To reduce moisture stress, the RHS recommended mulching with organic matter, such as leaf mould or garden compost.
For blue blooms instead, you can help turn the soil more acidic by using aluminium sulfate.
Aluminium sulfate is available on the likes of Amazon and most local garden centres.
