Hydrangeas--Pink or Blue

[F, Calla & Luca]

My groups have become all muddled : ) In the Photography Group flower assignment we just were talking about changing the colors of hydrangeas form pink to blue or vice versa. It's easy to do. I found this article which explains it. I just sprinkle aluminum sulfate around the shrub since I prefer blue.

http://www.hydrangeashydrangeas.com/colorchange.html

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I prefer blue, too, and that one is scrumptious! Is it one of yours?

I have two very old hydrangeas, the kind that only bloom on old growth, which came with the house. The flowers are pink. I would like to try making them blue, but unfortunately the landscapers cut them back last fall when they did the fall clean-up so I doubt I'll get any flowers this season.  I also have some new variety which looks entirely different, and that one has white flowers which turn pink around the edges and blooms on old or new growth. I'll have to find a photo to post, I don't know if that kind changes colors with acid or alkaline soil.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Yes, thanks, that is one of mine from last year. The cut hyrangeas may surprise you with a flower or two. White hydrangeas can't be turned pink or blue but some do get pinkish on the edges.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Andrea, that white one looks like mine. The variety I have is called Hydrangea Paniculata. The flowers are very long lasting and turn pink around the edges before they fade. It blooms very reliably and can get very large. The only complaint I have about it is that it seems to really attract a large number of stinging insects.

[F, Calla & Luca]

The white is lovely. Oh dear, I may have to get one of those too. Maybe I can get a white lacecap and not have to get two shrubs. I already bought a batch this year. At my old house I had an oak leaf hydrangea that put on quite a show every year.

[Maryann,Roo and Tigger]

I am so jealous.  I have planted a "Forever Summer" hydrangea again in yet another spot.  I have a very hot and sunny yard both back and front.  This 4th, 5th, .. I've lost count.... place does get a small amount of shade from the afternoon sun.  I hope this one gets established enough to rebloom next year.

[F, Calla & Luca]

I think that's the one whose picture I posted. The hydrangeas do like a bit of shade.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Yes, my white one is on the Northwest side of the house and only gets sun in the later part of the afternoon. The flowers are not as profuse as they are on some other Paniculatas I've seen, but they're respectable, and very large.

[Linda, Charlie Brown and Beau]

Love all the photos!  I also have oakleaf hydrangea and mine is just starting to bloom.  We live in the Washington Columbia Valley and it has been unseasonably cool and wet this year.  As I write this, the helicopters are whirring down at the orchard trying to dry out the cherries!  I wonder if we will have much of a cherry season and what the price will be!!

[F, Calla & Luca]

What an interesting way to dry fruit on the trees.

[Linda, Charlie Brown and Beau]

I think they generally rely on the fans set up in the orchards, but when excess rain they hire the helicopters to come by every few hours.  If the cherries get too much moisture they split and bang - there goes your crop.  The orchard below us has the best cherries in the area and we are hoping that they will be able to save them. 

[Barbara B., Sasha & Oliver]

I love the blue, awesome color !