Understanding Hydrangea Color Variations
Of all the plants in the gardeners' arsenal‚ the large‚ romantic‚ flower heads of the hydrangea and the chemistry that can change their colors have inspired the curiosity of more than one amateur gardener․ In addition to their aesthetic qualities‚ hydrangeas have long been utilized by gardeners for their ability to transform the appearance of an entire garden․ They are emblematic both of a gardener's desire to experiment and the gardener's need to balance Nature and gardener․ Learning what those colors mean will help you appreciate these beautiful flowers more․ The different hues that you can find in a hydrangea is quite wide-ranging‚ so this guide should help new and experienced gardeners alike learn more about the hydrangea's color‚ how it changes‚ and some tips for growing it successfully․
Hydrangeas are known for their many shades‚ including bright pinks and blues‚ pale whites‚ and dark purples․ Each flower has a variety of colors‚ and they are grouped together in layers‚ so they appear larger than they truly are․ The color of the flowers can be based on a number of variables including the variety of the hydrangea‚ the age of the flowers‚ and where it has been planted․ Pastel colors are often selected when a softer look is needed in the overall look of the garden‚ whereas brighter colors can be a focal point in the landscape․ The cultivars Endless Summer and Mophead can be blue or pink in color depending upon the soil pH‚ and are thus popular with gardeners who wish to have variation in appearance during the growing season․ They are therefore popular in any garden design that requires variation․
How Soil pH Can Change the Color of Hydrangeas
One of the most interesting attributes of hydrangeas is that the flowers change their color based on the pH level of the soil where they are planted․ In effect‚ the pH level of the soil where a hydrangea is planted determines whether the flower is pink or blue․ In soil that is acidic (pH less than 6) the flowers tend to be blue due to the presence of aluminum sulfates‚ while alkaline soils (pH greater than 7) tend to produce pink flowers․ This is a chemical response to soil pH‚ and thus it is possible for a gardener to induce blooms of their favorite flower color through pH alteration using organic soil amendments like sulfur or lime․ You can grow more than one bush and have it turn a different color by changing its environment over a period of time․
Other varieties of hydrangeas also offer different color ranges for the gardener‚ with the most common being Hydrangea macrophylla (also known as mophead hydrangea) and Hydrangea paniculata (panicle hydrangea)․ The mophead varieties produce larger flowerheads‚ while the panicle varieties produce cone-shaped flower clusters that fade to cream and soft pink․ Other species such as Hydrangea arborescens can produce whites and lighter greens․ Each species has its own range of colors‚ size‚ growth habit‚ and specific maintenance needs․ Familiarity with the differences between various varieties of hydrangea can help the person who gardens choose the appropriate species of hydrangea for the conditions present‚ and the desired seasonal appearance of the garden‚ and obtain the best possible fit with the desired garden appearances․
Hydrangeas grown for color do not need to depend on soil pH alone‚ there is a set of practices that can be used to improve flower color․ Besides the location of the plant in the landscape‚ some species enjoy partial shade while others thrive in full sun․ Pruning affects both color and health․ Regular pruning helps to promote new color-bearing growth‚ and hydrangeas will not experience the same flower color fading that is common for cultivars grown in dry conditions if sufficient water is provided during dry spells․ Additionally‚ the fertilizer selected‚ especially if it is geared toward flowering-plants'>flowering plants‚ can be used to help stress the flowering plants․ Through the above processes‚ the hydrangeas can be grown to be the best and most colorful plants they have the potential to be․
How Hydrangeas Can Have a Visual Impact in Winter
As seasons change‚ so do the colors of hydrangeas․ The colors of the blooms can be changed throughout the spring‚ plus sometimes there are new shoots opening every spring in pastel shades․ Summer is a riot of color‚ as flowers burst into bloom in a fantastic profusion of vivid hues‚ and sometimes‚ as autumn sets in‚ they appear in deeper and richer tones‚ or muted plums or rusty reds that lend gardens a more drowsy look․ But there is no need for hydrangea plants to be visually dull during the winter months either․ The shrub's attractive branched structure and‚ if left on‚ dried flowers or frosted leaves can also contribute to the winter landscape and may improve the gardener's appreciation of hydrangea throughout the year․
In conclusion‚ the study of hydrangeas‚ with their changing colors according to soil and species and seasons‚ combines nature's work with man's․ Their adaptability represents‚ in many ways‚ the new way of modern gardening․ The hydrangeas can be transformed so many different ways․ They allow gardeners to push the limits and experiment with what they can do to get the fullest colors possible․ The colors of the hydrangeas allow gardeners to be creative in their gardens to express themselves․ However‚ each individual will be creating their own gardens and exposing their personality to others․ Cultivating hydrangeas is not merely a gardening hobby‚ but an art‚ where the symbiotic and reciprocal relationship between nature and human beings continuously flourishes and develops into a rich dialogue between the two entities․
