Some hydrangeas are interesting as the colour of their flowers can change dramatically. If you have a white hydrangea, unfortunately they can NOT be changed to pink or blue. Although, sometimes as the flower ages, you may see a pinkish blush to them.
The hydrangea growers have the most control over the hydrangeas as it is easier to control the pH of the soil in the container than in the ground. Sometimes, hydrangeas will change colour on their own when they are planted or transplanted. They are adjusting to the new environment. It is not unusual to see several different colours on one shrub the next year after planting.
PINK
For Hydrangea blooms to be pink, the plants must be planted in an alkaline soil with a pH of about 6.0-6.2. To achieve this, add dolomitic lime several times a year. Use a fertilizer with high levels of phosphorus. Phosphorus helps to prevent aluminum from being absorbed which keeps the colour pink not blue. Planting hydrangeas near a concrete foundation or sidewalk will often affect the colour since the pH of the soil may also be raised by lime leaching out of these structures.
BLUE
To obtain the blue flowers on a hydrangea, aluminum must be available in the soil and the pH must be lower to allow the plant to absorb the aluminum. The pH of the soil should be about 5.2-5.5 and to achieve this acidity, add organic matter such as coffee grounds, fruit and vegetable peels, pine needles and evergreen clippings. When planting the hydrangea, add a few aluminum nails to your planting mixture, or add aluminum sulphate to the soil to make it more readily available. Also try a fertilizer that is low in phosphorus and high in potassium to help produce the blue colour. Bone meal should be avoided when trying to produce blue flowers.
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