00:00Did you know that hydrangeas have a secret?
00:03They have a secret ability to change their flower color based on the pH level of the
00:08soil and you can actually have control over this.
00:11You can adjust the color of new plantings or pre-existing shrubs with basic science.
00:17Hello, this is Amy from Gardening Know How and I'll be sharing the secret tricks to
00:22turn the hues to blues or the pigments to pink.
00:26First things first, not every type of hydrangea has the ability to color change.
00:31Only the flowers on mop head and lace cap possess this ability.
00:37White flowering hydrangeas, including popular varieties such as limelight or quickfire plus
00:42the oak leaf types, are not affected.
00:45The same is true for members of this smooth hydrangea group with varieties that include
00:49Annabelle and Incrediball.
00:51The flowers will remain the color they were bred to be no matter what soil amendments
00:56are added to the planting area.
00:58After you have decided that you want to make your hydrangea change color, it is important
01:03to understand how and why the color change can occur.
01:06If your soil is high in aluminum and has a low pH, the hydrangea flower will be more blue
01:12or even dark purple.
01:14If the soil has either a high pH or low in aluminum, the hydrangea flower color will be
01:20more pink.
01:21Generally speaking, it is easier to change the hydrangea from pink to blue than from blue
01:26to pink.
01:28While a soil test would be helpful to determine your starting pH, it is not always necessary.
01:33You can add or reduce certain soil amendments to achieve the desired color.
01:38The easiest way to do this is by adding either aluminum sulfate, garden sulfur, or garden lime
01:44to the soil.
01:45If you want to turn your pink hydrangeas blue, you'll need to lower the pH or acidify the
01:51soil.
01:51If you want to turn your blue hydrangeas pink, you'll need to raise the pH.
01:57Organic matter such as compost can also be added to help lower the soil's pH.
02:02On a side note, it may be difficult to achieve a blue color if the shrub is planted near a
02:07concrete foundation or sidewalk, as these types of structures often leach lime into the soil,
02:13creating a higher pH.
02:16When adding garden sulfur, aluminum sulfate, or lime, be sure to follow the instructions
02:21on the package, as the amount needed will vary depending on the size of your plant.
02:26Be sure to apply the product along the drip line of the plant, which is located under the
02:31outer circumference of the shrub's branches.
02:35Also, keep in mind that it may take several weeks to several years to completely change
02:40the color of your blooms.
02:42Repeat these steps annually in the spring to achieve the desired color.
02:48Now you have the know-how to change the color of your hydrangeas.
02:51Pink or blue?
02:52Well, it's up to you.
02:55Until next time, happy gardening!
02:57After you're mentioning!
02:57I'll see you next time.
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