The Helpful Gardener's Hydrangea Forum!

[The Helpful Gardener]

Hydrangeas are quickly becoming one of the most popular plants in the world; I suspect they will give even the rose a run for it's money. Let's hear about those trials and tribulations with your hydrangeas and if you have any questions I'd be glad to help...

Scott

[Newbie1]

Hi there,

I am new to gardening. I saw that you were looking for some trials and tribulations to the wonderful world of hydrangeas. Well, I have some AWFUL tribulations to talk about.
I bought a beautiful Nikko Blue Hydrangea and couldn't wait for it to bloom. Well it did, and it was fushia pink!! What can I do to make it blue, or maybe I got one that was labeled wrong. Secondly, my dear husband thought that he was helping me and pruned this beautiful thing. I think he cut it back to short, how can I tell? And if it is, do you think it will come back.

See, I told you I was a newbie

[The Helpful Gardener]

Hiya!

This is all easily remedied, although the pruning job means no more flowers for this year. Hydrangeas are variable in flower color for the most part and the way to keep them blue is to acidify the soil. Clay soils have a tendency to be base; our New England soil is usually acidic. Aluminum sulphate is the drug of choice, but even some rusty nails in the soil around the plant will help keep your Nikko Blue! No more pruning unless it's right after flowering, lots of water, some Miracid, and you'll be fine...

Scott

[Newbie1]

Hi!
Thanks for the info, it is really helpful. Just one question--do you think that my hydrangea will grow again? He pruned it pretty low to the ground, and I haven't seen one that low before.

Thanks for any help you have, and I promise I won't let my husband near my garden again.

Bev

[The Helpful Gardener]

Sure, it'll be back. Hydrangeas break from the base so even if you prune them to the ground, they usually come back no problem...

Fear not!

Scott