Hortensias not only bloom in a strikingly beautiful way, the large flower umbels can also change color like a chameleon. This is what makes caring for these beauties so appealing because, unlike other perennials, they are not limited to one flower color. You can find out in this article which standard tones the flowers have and how they can change.
What colors can hydrangeas have?
Hydrangeas can have different flower colors such as white, pink, blue, red or reddish pink. Flower color depends on soil pH; acidic soil results in blue flowers, while alkaline soils result in red or pink flowers.
White Hydrangeas
White hydrangeas look particularly noble and elegant and, thanks to their bright flower umbels, set wonderful accents in the shady areas of the garden.
Unlike other varieties, the planting substrate for white hydrangeas does not have to have a specific pH value. A nutrient-rich, moist, slightly acidic and loose substrate meets all of the plant's requirements.
The pink colored hydrangea
This is the original flower color of the pretty perennials. In order for the flowers to appear permanently pale pink, the pH value of the soil must be around 6. If the soil is too acidic, regular doses of lime help. Additionally, you can occasionally fertilize the pink colored hydrangea with a fertilizer with a high phosphorus content, as this inhibits aluminum absorption.
Flower wonder in blue
Many pink-flowering hydrangeas are able to change their flower color and produce blue flowers. For this, the soil must have a pH value between 5.2 and 5.5 so that the plant can absorb the aluminum present in the soil and responsible for the color of the flowers.
Therefore, plant blue-flowering hydrangeas in special hydrangea or rhododendron soil. Alternatively, you can add peat, leaf compost or organic plant material to the topsoil. Fertilize the blue hydrangea only with special low-phosphorus fertilizer (€8.00 on Amazon), which should also have a high potassium content.
Red and red-pink colored hydrangeas
Red hydrangeas, on the other hand, require alkaline soil to retain their vibrant color. If the surface is too acidic, the color will fade relatively quickly. Here too, you can shift the pH value into the optimal range by regularly applying lime. It should settle at around 6.5.
Tips & Tricks
A common phenomenon that makes hydrangeas particularly attractive are two-tone and finely shaded flowers. There are also two different flower colors on one plant.
