Hydrangeas are a very popular flower, coming in ranges of blue, purple, pink, and white. Except for a few hydrangea species, the PH of the soil will determine the color of your flowers. Acidic soil (PH of 6.5 or below) will produce blue or purple flowers, while neutral soil (around 7 PH) will produce red or pink hydrangeas.
To change the color of your pink/red hydrangeas to be purple/blue, you can add 1/4 cup of aluminum sulfate around each plant and then again in 6 months. To change your blue/purple flowers to red/pink, add 2–3 tablespoons of garden lime around each plant. This change could take around 1–3 years, depending on your soil and plant health.
Panicle hydrangeas are one of the exceptions to the soil PH rule. Panicles will produce white flowers in summer, which fade to pink/red, and then beige. Soil PH will not affect the color of your blooms. Popular “Limelight” hydrangeas are a type of panicle hydrangea that do well in Louisiana. These bloom in late May or June, and start off with light green flowers, which mature to a creamy white color, before fading to dull pink in the fall.
Whatever hydrangea type you decide to plant and whatever color variation you’re aiming for, make sure to read the description to properly care for them. If you have any questions, let us know!
