
Why Are My Hydrangeas Turning Green?
Hydrangeas are the glory of the summer season. They are mostly popular for their large, showy flower heads. The Hydrangeas come in various colors, from classic blues or pinks to vibrant reds and whites. These versatile shrubs are popular for outdoor gardens and indoor decoration.
Their natural booming season is summer. Besides the colorful and vibrant blooms, sometimes green Hydrangeas are also seen. Are you worried and thinking, “Why are my Hydrangeas turning geen?” If you are, then you are in the right place. Keep reading to explore more about Hydrangeas and their reason for turning green.
What are the Types of Hydrangeas?
Hydrangeas are divided based on a couple of factors, like flower shape and species. There are two types of Hydrangeas based on the shape of their flowers.
- Mophead Hydrangea
- Lacecap Hydrangea
Depending on the species, there are lots of popular breeds of Hydrangeas. Some of the major species are:
- Bigleaf Hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla)
- Smooth Hydrangea (Hydrangea arborescens)
- Panicle Hydrangea (Hydrangea paniculata)
- Oakleaf Hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia)
- Climbing Hydrangea (Hydrangea anomala)
- Mountain Hydrangea (Hydrangea serrata)
How to Take Care of Hydrangea?
To get a perfect bloom in the blooming season and ensure your plant lives long, you must take care of your Hydrangea properly. Here are some important factors you need to take care of.
Soil and Planting
Soil is one of the most important factors for all plants to live and grow. In the case of Hydrangeas, they love soil that is moist but not waterlogged. You must have one draining hole in the pot, or your hydrangea will die of waterlogging. You can use compost or leaf mold to improve soil fertility. Also, plant it with the top of the root ball slightly above ground level for the best results.
Watering
As mentioned earlier, the soil of Hydrangeas must be moist. You can water the plant deeply and infrequently. It will encourage deep root growth. You can also apply a layer of mulch around the base of the plant to retain moisture in the soil.
Light
Proper light is a must for the growth of Hydrangeas. Hydrangeas respond the best in the dappled or morning sun with shade in the afternoon. You must protect your Hydrangeas from scorching afternoon sun, especially in hot weather.
Fertilizing
Use a balanced (10-10-10) fertilizer for your Hydrangeas in the early spring. Make sure not to over-fertilize your Hydrangea. It may lead to lush foliage but will reduce the amount of flowers.
Pruning
The timing of pruning the Hydrangeas depends on the variety of the plant, as different varieties set buds in different seasons. Generally, remove the spent flowers to encourage new blooms. You can maintain the shape and size of the plant by pruning it regularly.
What Color Should Hydrangeas Be?
Hydrangeas mainly bloom in shades of blue, pink, and white. The blooming color depends on the soil type you have. Some Hydrangeas come in blue flowers on acidic soils and pink flowers in alkyne soils. Some variants produce better color compared to the other Hydrangeas.
Blue Flowers on Acid Soil
These Hydrangeas bloom in blue colors if the soil is acidic. If your soil is neutral, you can acidify it to improve its blue color. You can also use Hydrangea colorant for that.
White Hydrangea
White Hydrangeas create a sight to behold. But, as they age, the color changes to shades of pink. Therefore, consider that when choosing a planting position for your Hydrangea. Make sure they are around the surroundings to look attractive.
Pink and Red Hydrangeas
These Hydrangeas perform well on neutral to alkaline soil. Some variants start out white and then gradually turn pink, like Vanille Fraise.
What are the Reasons for Green Hydrangea Blooms?
Green blooms of Hydrangeas depend on factors like the soil’s pH, the flowers’ age, and the availability of light. Actually, those beautiful flowers are not petals. In reality, they are sepals that protect the flower bud. So, why do Hydrangeas turn green?
This is because green is the natural color of the sepals. As the flower ages, the natural green overpowers the ping, white, and blue pigments. Therefore, often the colored Hydrangeas turn green eventually.
Many gardeners believe that the presence of aluminum and the soil’s pH is solely responsible for the colors of the Hydrangeas. The availability of aluminum provides blue blooms. Without aluminum, you get pink blooms. That is true, but just part of the whole thing. Green Hydrangeas turn color with the availability of sunlight. Lights give the other pigments energy to dominate the green ones.
So, how long does the color of Hydrangeas last? The colors can last for weeks, and then they will turn green again. With shorter daylight time, the green, blue, and pink pigments lose energy and fade away. Therefore, the flower turns green after a certain time.
Final Words
Hydrangeas turning green is a very normal and common phenomenon. No matter what you do, in the end, the flowers will turn green as they naturally should be. If you have a Hydrangea that refuses to turn green, you have one of nature’s uncommon Hydrangea, and there is no explanation behind it.
Whether your Hydrangea turns green or not is not something that matters in the end. Your flowers are just getting old. So, if you see your Hydrangeas turning green, don’t panic. Sit back, relax, and enjoy one of the most beautiful shows of the mother nature.
FAQs
Are eggshells good for Hydrangeas?
Eggshells are very effective in improving soil acidity. Hydrangeas bloom in blue colors in acidic soil. So, if you need blue blooms, eggshells can be a great fertilizer for you.
How to keep your Hydrangeas white?
The color of Hydrangeas depends on the pH of your soil. To keep your Hydrangeas white, you must maintain a neutral pH of 6.0 to 6.2.
What does a green Hydrangea symbolize?
Normally, a green Hydrangea is a symbol of renewal and rebirth. It can also represent youthfulness, prosperity, good health, and fortune.
What soil pH turns Hydrangea pink?
A soil pH of 5.5 to 6.5 will bloom in purple or both blue and pink. To make the flower pink, use garden lime on the soil. You also have to keep a high level of nitrogen and minimize phosphorous.