Hydrangea Blues?

Mention traditional Hydrangeas and my mind pictures large blue pom-pom-like flowers (mop heads) dangling from ball-shaped shrubs in South County.

Woodbridge's knowledgeable staff has come up with a list of common Hydrangea questions, most specific to the more common mop head variety. We've gathered a few of the most commonly asked questions.

Question: "I heard there's something I can do to make my Hydrangea flowers bluer."

WB:  The acidity of your soil determines the color of your Hyrdangeas (Increase acidicy with sulphur, or if you have a steady supply of pine needles, mulch your Hydrangeas with acidic pine needles. As the pine needles gradually breakdown, they slowly increase the acidity of your soil. .... But, not every Hydrangea can turn blue. White or creamy Hydrangeas, like Oakleaf and Annabelle, cannot turn blue. Most mophead and lacecap Hydrangeas that are pink, blue or purple, can usually change color according to the pH of your soil. You will need to reapply the sulphur throughout the growing season to maintain the bluer blooms. For blooms that are more pink, make your soil sweeter (alkaline) work lime into the soil.

Question: "My Hydrangea plant was a Mothers' Day (or Easter) gift. I've planted it in my garden. It is a nice, healthy plant, but has never bloomed."

WB: Did the pot come covered in foil? If so, it was most likely from a florist/greenhouse that forced your Hydrangea to bloom early. It could be that the type of Hyrdangea wasn't cfhosen for its ability to thrive in our climate. We recommend Endless Summer (blooms continuall all summer), Quickfire and Blushing Bride for their abilitiy to thrive in New England.

Question: "My Hydrangeas haven't bloomed this year. I cut one back in November. The other one was pruned in April."

WB: If they were pruned in fall, winter or spring, the new growth will come from the ground, and not the stems that remain. Hydrangea blooms typically form on old stems. You will have a stronger, healthier plant. I am sorry to say, that you won't have blooms this year.

Question:"This spring, the leaves on my Hydrangea were killed off by a late cold snap. Is that why it hasn't bloomed this year?"

WB: Not only were the leaves damaged by the freezing temperatures, the tiny buds that were forming were damaged, too. Next winter try covering your Hydrangea to keep them cozy until after the danger of a cold snap is past.

I visited Woodbridge Greenhouses again this week. I'm thrilled to have found varieties of Hydrangea that bloom ALL SUMMER LONG -"Endless Summer", in addition to the traditional round mop head, they also have "Twist and Shout", a lace-cap Hydrangea that defies the Hydrangea stereotype.   Enjoy.  I know my family will, all summer long!

More Hydrangea information here.