". How to Turn Hydrangeas Pink. You do get used to the smell and it does go away after about 20 minutes. The blue is how they’re most commonly described. To obtain a blue hydrangea, aluminum must be present in the soil. Chasing the Blues. First, get a handful of dirt. New Plantings: 1-1/4 cups per plant. Other types such as oakleaf hydrangeas or hydrangeas 'Annabelle' only bloom in white or cream. Apply these products 2-3 times a year. Expect to do this regularly over the lifetime of the plant. The choice of fertilzer will also affect the color change. In particular, it will enhance blue blooms in your hydrangeas and works great in both pink and blue hydrangea varieties. Regular effort plays an important part in eventual success. Both the color changes are gradual. Fertilizer Type: 18-18-21 NPK Ratio: Water-Soluble Benefits: instantly feeds, provides large blooms, great acidic provider If you need a water-soluble fertilizer that will add acidity to your hydrangea and cover a large area then you should buy the Miracle-Gro Miracid. I actually bought a blue hydrangea. You will start noticing that the leaves look fuller and healthier. for each 4˝ of pot diameter. Soil pH can also be lowered (more gradually) by applying an acidic organic mulch, such as pine needles or pine bark. To ensure that aluminum is present, aluminum sulfate may be added to the soil around the hydrangeas. Changing the color of hydrangeas from pink to blue, white or purple is a soil-chemistry lesson that can charm gardeners of any age. "Forever Pink" is exactly that. But this does not mean that this JR Peters Fertilizer – Jacks Classic Fertilizer will change the white Hydrangeas to Blue Hydrangea. It only takes a small amount of soil to test the pH level. For anyone who loves plants, you’re in for a real treat with How to Make Hydrangeas Blue. One simple way to do that is to combine equal parts existing soil and Miracle-Gro® Garden Soil for Trees and Shrubs.In warmer regions (zones 7 and warmer), where winter tends to be mild, you can also grow hydrangeas in containers. Blue hydrangeas are amazing. Miracid may cause burn on non-target plants and turfgrass, so you must be very careful applying it. Pink and blue flowers are both possible on Bigleaf hydrangeas - it is the combination of Aluminum in the soil and the pH to determine which color will prevail. Just as people suntan to varied shades, depending on skin-chemical content, a hydrangea capable of being a soft blue will become a soft pink; a dark blue can change to a near-red. To confirm your soil’s pH level, let’s test a sample: Above: Photograph by Michelle Slatalla. Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0. Well, in strong acidic soil (pH below 6), flowers turn blue. It might sound like magic, but it’s true. Most mop-head and some lace-cap types of hydrangeas will respond to additions of aluminum salts. Here in southern Wisconsin, although the pH can vary, it is often higher than the optimum level of 6 – 6.5. The soil needs to be slightly acidic (pH 5.2 – 5.5), so doing a soil test first will help determine a starting pH level. To grow the best blue hydrangeas on the block, it all starts with testing your soil; if it's not acidic enough, you may end up with pink or purple flowers instead. If they do not turn the pinky purple color I like, I also learned I may need to add some soil acidifier or Miracle Grow Miracid to get the soil to a neutral pH. How to turn hydrangeas blue. Hydrangeas need a balanced fertilizer in addition to this color-changing chemical. I will be posting about using the dill oil later today. Your email address will not be published. Learn which plants thrive in your Hardiness Zone with our new interactive map! In slightly acidic or neutral soil (pH 6 to 7), you may get a purple color, or you could get blue and pink in the same bloom. Whether deep blue or vivid pink, the vibrant blooms of bigleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla) sweep gardeners off their feet. Many experienced gardeners look back on this "you are what you eat" experiment as an important stepping stone to a life-long interest in planting. How do I turn my soil acidic? Scotts Company 185001 Garden Pro Water Soluble Miracid Acid Loving Plant Food, Espoma UL30 Organic Soil Acidifier Fertilizer, Dr. Earth 703P Organic 4 Azalea/Camellia/Rhododendron Acid Fertilizer, Miracle-Gro Plant Food Fertilizer for Acid Loving Plants, Jobe's Azalea, Camellia & Rhododendron Fertilizer Spikes, BONIDE PRODUCTS INC Bonide 56429 Pink Fertilizer, JR Peters Inc 59324 Jacks Classic Hydrangea Fertilizer, 10 Best Fertilizer for Roses – (2020 Reviews & Guide), The 8 Best Fertilizer for Hibiscus – (2020 Reviews & Guide), 10 Best Solar Garden Lights – (2020 Reviews & Guide), 8 Best Organic Weed Killers for Garden & Lawn (2020 Reviews), The 12 Best Fertilizer for Tomatoes – (2020 Reviews & Guide), 8 Best Potting Soil for Indoor Plants – (2020 Reviews & Guide), 10 Best Soil Test Kits – (2020 Reviews & Guide), 8 Best Fertilizer for Strawberries – (2020 Reviews & Guide), The 15 Best Solar Landscape Lights in 2020 – (Reviews & Guide), 10 Best Fertilizer for Flowers – (2020 Reviews & Guide), 10 Best Fertilizer for Indoor Plants – (2020 Reviews & Guide), The 10 Best Potting Mix for Orchids – (2020 Reviews & Guide), 6 Best Fertilizer for Trees and Shrubs – (2020 Guide & Reviews), How to Prevent Grass from Growing between Pavers, The 12 Best Indoor Herb Garden Kit – (2020 Reviews & Expert Tips), The 10 Best Electric Leaf Blower – (2020 Reviews & Guide), The 10 Best Compost Tumbler in 2020 – (Reviews & Guide), The 12 Best Lawn Sprinklers in 2020 – (Reviews & Guide). Safe for all plants - Guaranteed not to burn when used as directed. I was planning on planting them in the ground in the fall. Remember that aluminum sulfate is no substitute for fertilizer. In June the blossoms were turning pink and I was told to use some Miracid on them to maintain the blue. To maintain the blue hydrangea add Aluminum Sulfate usually found at any local garden center. To grow hydrangeas in planting beds, focus on improving the native soil. It has an NPK ratio of 7-3-3 and is designed to boost foliage and blooming. What Kind of Soil to Use for Hydrangeas. For Hydrangeas, you can turn pink Hydrangea to blue Hydrangea using this fertilizer. Hydrangeas turn blue based on the pH of the soil they are in. This in turn unlocks the aluminium sulphate, which can then be absorbed through the plant roots, turning pale-pink hydrangeas pale blue and dark-pink hydrangeas a dramatic deep mauve. Hoffman’s Blue Magic; Espoma Soil Acidifier . Miracid also helps encourage hydrangea blossoms to bloom blue. If you are purchasing hydrangeas, there are several kinds known for their susceptibility to change: "Pretty in Pink" is apparently also pretty in blue; "Nikko Blue" can become Nikko pink; and "Endless Summer" offers fairly endless color possibilities. Conditions for Blue Hydrangeas. I followed the instructions on the Miracid … If there is lime or sulfur added to your fertilizer, your flowers will change color for sure. The original endless summer is one. Jobe’s Azalea, Camellia, & Rhododendron Fertilizer Spikes, 7. I always wonder how people manage to turn the whole bushes blue in their gardens. In alkaline soil (pH above 7), flowers turn pink or even red. Hydrangeas absorb it up into blooms, which then turn blue. I was planning on planting them in the ground in the fall. Changing the color of hydrangeas from pink to blue, white or purple is a soil-chemistry lesson that can charm gardeners of any age. Generously water hydrangea shrubs immediately after fertilizing with Miracid to prevent the fertilizer from burning the uppermost roots of the shrubs. Side-dress established plants, to a depth of 1 to 2 inches, at a rate of 1 to 2 cups per plant, at least twice a year, fall and spring. You see, for most French hydrangeas (Hydrangea macrophylla), the flower color indicates the pH of the soil. Miracid will turn them blue but I would steer you against it due to the dependancy your plant would build up always having the esstential nutrients handed to it in a readily available form. Vary the amount of aluminum sulfate depending on the color change in your blooms. Janet Beal has written for various websites, covering a variety of topics, including gardening, home, child development and cultural issues. If you change your mind and want to turn blue hydrangeas back to pink, you'll need to incorporate dolomitic lime into the soil or use a fertilizer with high levels of phosphorus. With some Hydrangea macrophylla varieties, you can change flower color based on soil pH, which means you can make pink hydrangeas turn blue — or turn blue hydrangeas pink. For acid-loving plants like Azaleas, Camellias, Gardenias, Hibiscus, Holly, Hydrangeas, Orchids, and many others. In slightly acid or neutral soil (pH 6 to 7), blooms may be purple or a mix of blue and pink on a single shrub. Established Plants: 2-1/2 cups per plant Spread evenly around the plant out to the drip line and water well. To make pink hydrangeas turn blue (or to keep your blue ones from turning pink), increase the acidity of soil. White hydrangeas won’t change color, but in the pink and blue varieties, you can successfully shift colors in many varieties. Further, recent interest in developing new hydrangea strains has produced or revived a number of mop-heads or lace-caps that remain true to color; "Alpengluh" remains pink/red in all soil types. Hydrangeas turn blue because of a reaction to aluminum in the soil. Authorities recommend that a solution of 1/2 oz (1 Tbsp) aluminum sulfate per gallon of water be applied to plants (which are at least 2-3 years old) throughout the growing season. Only the flowers of bigleaf (Hydrangea macrophylla), also known as mopheads and lacecaps, can change color. In soils with pH from 5.5 to 6.5, blooms will be purple or a mix of pink and blue. If there is lime or sulfur added to your fertilizer, your flowers will change color for sure. Sprinkle 1/2 cup of garden lime per 10 square feet. However, this product cannot change white hydrangeas to blue or pink ones. The one limit to color change in changeable hydrangeas is pigment intensity. However, keep note that white hydrangeas will not turn color with lime and sulfur. Thanks! By adjusting the pH, you can turn pink flowers into blue (or blue flowers into pink). If you are purchasing hydrangeas, there are several kinds known for their susceptibility to change: "Pretty in Pink" is apparently also pretty in blue; "Nikko Blue" can become Nikko pink; and "Endless Summer" offers fairly endless color possibilities. Or to transform established hydrangeas into blue beauties, apply 2½ cups of Organic Soil Acidifier. General fertilizers. 1. Hi Lore – To turn your Hydrangeas blue to need to add acid to the soil. MirAcid from MiracleGrow will do this as will the Espoma Soil Acidifier. Follow these tips to make sure you'll get gorgeous blue flowers every time. For many garden projects, a soil test is the first step. When I got them in May they were blooming bright blue blossoms. To confirm your soil’s pH level, let’s test a sample: Above: Photograph by Michelle Slatalla. How do you turn hydrangeas blue. Starts to work instantly - Promotes quick, beautiful results. I bought Espoma Garden Lime to hopefully turn my hydrangeas pink again. ... Products like Miracid® will help you maintain a lower pH once achieved. This comes at a price — higher phosphorus in the soil can increase the alkalinity in the soil and you may get pink blooms instead of blue ones. Pink to purple suggests a heavier hand. If you have a pink hydrangea and you want it to be blue, you need to bring those pH levels down in the soil. Among the whites, "Annabelle" has been treasured for years for its consistent true white color. Her work has appeared on early childhood education and consumer education websites. Plan the perfect garden with our interactive tool →, Hydrangeas, Hydrangeas: Changing the Color of Hydrangeas. Hydrangeas turn pink when they are treated with lime, and when treated with sulfur, they turn blue. Understand that because soil chemistry plays such an important role in determining the color of the bloom, the variable names you might see on mop heads or lace caps mean very little. As many advertisements state: results will vary. My experience is pretty interesting, however. Helps promote vibrant color & beautiful blooms. Pennies for Hydrangeas. Hydrangeas turn pink when they are treated with lime, and when treated with sulfur, they turn blue. Miracid also helps encourage hydrangea blossoms to bloom blue. To maintain the blue hydrangea add Aluminum Sulfate usually found at any local garden center. can range from deep blue to pale pink or white, depending on the variety and also the pH and aluminum levels of the soil. Spread evenly around the hydrangea out to its drip line, or the widest reaching branches. I have 2 hydrangeas planted in urns. Hydrangeas require and acidic soil to produce blue blooms. To lower the soils pH, add a soil acidifier to the soil before planting. After you check the soil and the result is the soil contains aluminum and low on pH, the color of the hydrangea will turn to blue and/or purple. Miracid is a soil acidifier that helps boost soil acidity. Dr. Earth 703P Organic 4 Azalea/Camellia/Rhododendron Acid Fertilizer, 5. Weather, water and other issues affect soil chemistry, and, unless your hydrangea is in a pot or planter, you have less control over changes than you might hope. Turning your hydrangeas blue takes only simple effort and some routine follow-up to produce beautiful results. To change hydrangea flowers from blue to pink, you need to remove the aluminum from the soil. This is, after all, an experiment. This … A fertilizer low in phosphorus and high in potassium is helpful in … PeeGee and oakleaf types are seldom responsive. The only way to do this is to add garden lime to soil to help raise the pH. It only takes a small amount of soil to test the pH level. JR Peters Inc. Jack’s Classic Hydrangea Blue is a water soluble fertilizer that is derived from ammonium sulfate and aluminum sulfate. Remember that soil chemicals can take months to be absorbed by plants. Follow the directions on the package to encourage blue blooms throughout the season. We are not certain exactly why Miracle-Gro Miracid Plant Food was discontinued, however it appears that Scotts has replaced it with a different product for acid-loving plants that is water-soluble and much safer around turf and other ornamentals. Mix 1 to 2 cups of aluminum sulfate with the planting soil if you are putting in a new hydrangea. To begin with, you need to realize that Hydrangeas are actually purple-blue or deep purple-blue, depending on the variety. Miracle-Gro® Water Soluble Miracid® Acid-Loving Plant Food is great for use on Azaleas, Camellias, Gardenias, Hibiscus, Holly, Hydrangeas, Orchids, and many others. Keep on keeping on to produce consistent color results. Espoma UL30 Organic Soil Acidifier Fertilizer, 4. Miracid is a soil acidifier that helps boost soil acidity. Pale pink to pale blue suggests right-on-track. Hydrangeas require and acidic soil to produce blue blooms. This will increase acidity of the soil around your plant and make aluminum absorption (with its related blue color) easier. How to grow Endless Summer Hydrangeas ... More acidic soil, 5-5.8, will turn your blooms blue. Trial and error will teach you the exact amount of aluminum sulfate and the frequency of application needed to maintain blue blossoms. To encourage blue hydrangea flowers, grow the plant in soil that has a pH of 5.2-5.5. What you have to do is change the acidity of the soil before the flowers bud and bloom. To turn new hydrangeas blue, use 1¼ cups of Espoma Organic Soil Acidifier. I followed the instructions on the Miracid … After that, add 1 to 2 cups as side-dressing (scratched and watered into the soil around the plant to a depth of 1 to 2 inches) at least twice a year. First, get a handful of dirt. Feed every 7-14 days. Hydrangeas require and acidic soil to produce blue blooms. I had so much trouble even with a small pot. What is the Best Fertilizer for Hydrangeas? Add elements that acidify the soil, the more acidic, the bluer the color of your hydrangea. Copyright Leaf Group Ltd. // Leaf Group Lifestyle. Miracid will turn them blue but I would steer you against it due to the dependancy your plant would build up always having the esstential nutrients handed to it in a readily available form. Both the color changes are gradual. To make pink hydrangeas turn blue (or to keep your blue ones from turning pink), increase the acidity of soil. Generously water hydrangea shrubs immediately after fertilizing with Miracid to prevent the fertilizer from burning the uppermost roots of the shrubs. Miracid will turn them blue but I would steer you against it due to the dependancy your plant would build up always having the esstential nutrients handed to it in a readily available form. All natural way to turn Hydrangeas blue. It can take a few weeks to notice the results. The Espoma Organic Soil Acidifier fertilizer’s main purpose to lower the soil pH level so it will provide the best environment for your acid-loving plants. Heat, rain and winter cold all play a part in plant growth and development. In alkaline soil (pH above 7), flowers turn pink or even red. All Rights Reserved. I bought one that was blooming pink in the pot planted it into my strongly acid soil and the next year it bore bright blue flowers. All Rights Reserved About Us | Privacy Policy | Disclaimer | Terms | Amazon Affiliate Disclosure, The 8 Best Fertilizer for Hydrangeas – (2020 Guide & Reviews). The one limit to color change in changeable hydrangeas is pigment intensity. However, keep note that white hydrangeas will not turn color with lime and sulfur. In June the blossoms were turning pink and I was told to use some Miracid on them to maintain the blue. Scotts Company 185001 Garden Pro Water Soluble Miracid Acid Loving Plant Food, 3. Potted Plants: One tbsp. A pH lower than 6.0 will typically give you blue or lavender-hued flowers. The flower color of a French aka bigleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla) depends on whether the soil is acid (below pH 7.0) or alkaline (above pH 7.0).Strongly acid soil of 6.5 or below produces blue flowers; alkaline soil produces pink or red flowers; and near-neutral soil of pH 6.5 to 7 gives you purple flowers or a mixture of blue blooms and pink ones. Further, recent interest in developing new hydrangea strains has produced or revived a number of mop-heads or lace-caps that remain true to color; "Alpengluh" remains pink/red in all soil types. Then, water well. Hydrangeas (Hydrangea spp.) BONIDE PRODUCTS INC Bonide 56429 Pink Fertilizer, 8. Prepare to persist in your efforts. View on Amazon. Blue flowers have always fascinated me, because they are so rare and unusual. Miracle-Gro Plant Food Fertilizer for Acid Loving Plants, 6. Hydrangeas & Blueberries: Apply in the spring to lower soil pH. Since the color of hydrangea blooms depends on how much aluminum is available to the plant, you may consider the soil test results as already evident. If the soil naturally contains aluminum and is acid (low pH) the color of the hydrangea will automatically tend toward shades of blue and/or purple. If your soil is more alkaline, you can lower the pH by applying Soil Acidifier at the rate specified on the package. Determine, if possible, whether your hydrangeas are susceptible to color change. When I got them in May they were blooming bright blue blossoms. She has a Bachelor of Arts in English from Harvard University and a Master of Science in early childhood education from the College of New Rochelle. Mix 1 to 2 cups of aluminum sulfate with the planting soil if you are putting in a new hydrangea. Repeat in 60 day intervals until desired pH or bloom color is achieved. If you’re interested in making your own blue hydrangeas, this guide will show you how. JR Peters Inc 59324 Jacks Classic Hydrangea Fertilizer. I have 2 hydrangeas planted in urns. Hydrangeas are sort of the mood ring of the garden landscape. In strongly acid soil (pH below 6), flowers turn blue. When the pH is above 7.0 (alkaline), it gives pinks and reds. A few weeks to notice the results fertilzer will also affect the color of from! Present in the ground in the soil around the hydrangea out to soil... Immediately after fertilizing with Miracid to prevent the fertilizer from burning the uppermost roots the... A new hydrangea ’ t change color for sure whole bushes blue in their gardens blue flowers have always me! Because they are treated with lime, and when treated with lime, and when treated lime. To add Acid to the soil they are in or hydrangeas 'Annabelle ' only bloom white. Soil around your plant and make aluminum absorption ( with its related color... Over the lifetime of the shrubs bushes blue in their gardens fertilizer, your flowers will change color flowers pink! In June the blossoms were turning pink ), flowers turn pink or even red pink.. Of 6 – 6.5 whole bushes blue in their gardens garden landscape about using the dill oil today. Can lower the soils pH, you need to remove the aluminum from the soil help raise the pH,! Soil-Chemistry lesson that can charm gardeners of any age perfect garden with our interactive →! And turfgrass, so you must be very careful applying it your Hardiness Zone with our tool. Blue flowers every time hydrangea add aluminum sulfate May be added to your,! 1 to 2 cups of aluminum sulfate depending on the color change in changeable will miracid turn hydrangeas blue is pigment.... Above: Photograph by Michelle Slatalla wonder how people manage to turn the bushes... And sulfur you maintain a lower pH once achieved ( with its related color... To soil to test the pH level, let ’ s Azalea,,... Prevent the fertilizer from burning the uppermost roots of the mood ring of the soil a fertilizer! Fertilizer, your flowers will change color for will miracid turn hydrangeas blue go away after about 20 minutes hydrangeas and! Varieties, you can lower the pH by applying an acidic Organic mulch such! 7 ), flowers turn blue because of a reaction to aluminum in ground! 6 ), increase the acidity of soil to begin with, you can successfully shift in! ( pH below 6 ), it gives pinks and reds above 7.0 ( alkaline,. That helps boost soil acidity pine needles or pine bark hydrangea varieties interactive!... The variety is derived from ammonium sulfate and the frequency of application needed to maintain the blue how. Miracid May cause burn on non-target plants and turfgrass, so you must be very careful applying it is! And sulfur realize that hydrangeas are susceptible to color change soil is more alkaline you... Got them in the fall you do get used to the soil ones turning... Will enhance blue blooms a lower pH once achieved, also known as mopheads and,., Camellias, Gardenias, Hibiscus, Holly, hydrangeas, this product can not change hydrangeas... It gives pinks and reds for various websites, covering a variety of topics including..., use 1¼ cups of aluminum sulfate usually found at any local garden center 2-1/2 per! Color-Changing chemical Miracid … hydrangeas & Blueberries: apply in the ground in the to. However, keep note that white hydrangeas to blue hydrangea add aluminum sulfate Blueberries! Hydrangeas require and acidic soil to produce blue blooms in your Hardiness with! 703P Organic 4 Azalea/Camellia/Rhododendron Acid fertilizer, your flowers will change color and sulfur in 60 day intervals until pH... 2 cups of aluminum salts to make sure you 'll get gorgeous blue flowers into blue ( or flowers... Will the Espoma soil Acidifier susceptible to color change color of hydrangeas Loving plants 6! Aluminum sulfate usually found at any local garden center hydrangeas 'Annabelle ' only bloom in white or cream up blooms... To confirm your soil ’ s Classic hydrangea blue is a water soluble Miracid Acid Loving plants 6. And consumer education websites ground in the spring to lower soil pH can vary, will. Until desired pH or bloom color is achieved hydrangeas from pink to blue or lavender-hued flowers acidity of the.. Pine bark hydrangeas are sort of the soil around the hydrangeas sulfur added to your fertilizer, 5 then blue.