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The Hydrangea is a favorite to many gardeners and has become quite popular in the south, since they are hardy, easy to grow, and require little maintenance. Hydrangeas bloom in whites, blues and pinks, and the color depends on the soil conditions. Unlike most other plants, the color of their flowers can change dramatically. To change the color of your hydrangea, you will need to alter the pH of the soil.

To change CHANGE TO PINK

Hydrangeas turn pink because they are deprived of aluminum. This can be accomplished by doing the following:

Add dolomitic lime to raise the soil pH to about 6.0 to 6.5.

Grow your hydrangeas in pots - soil-less potting mixes don’t usually contain aluminum, so there’s no chance of your hydrangea reverting to blue. In a pot, it will be much easier to control the requirements for growing pink hydrangeas.

Fertilizer - choose a high phosphorus fertilizer, since phosphorus seems to prevent hydrangeas from accessing aluminum Choose a fertilizer close to the ratio of 25/10/10 (Phosphorus is the middle number).

To change CHANGE TO BLUE

Hydrangeas turn blue as a reaction to aluminum in the soil. This can be accomplished by doing the following:

Soil pH should be slightly acidic (5.2 - 5.5).

Do a soil test to determine your starting pH. If the soil naturally contains aluminum and is acid (low pH) the color of the hydrangea will turn shades of blue and/or purple.

Add aluminum sulfate to the soil to help lower the pH. A solution of 1/2 oz (1 Tbsp) aluminum sulfate per gallon of water be applied to plants (which are at least 2-3 years old) throughout the growing season. If aluminum is naturally in your soil and the pH is low, your hydrangeas are probably already blue. But even if you have naturally acidic soil, you may need to add some aluminum sulfate.

Important:
Water plants well in advance of application and put solution on cautiously, as too much can burn the roots.

Not all plants can tolerate acidic soil and neighboring plants may be affected. Always follow label recommendations when adding amendments to your soil.

Fertilizer with a high potassium, low phosphorus fertilizer to help maintain your blue color. Choose a fertilizer with an approximate ratio of 25/5/30 is good (potassium is the last number). Superphosphates and bone meal should be avoided when trying to produce blue.
 It is important to have your water tested so that it will not "contaminate" the soil that you have worked so hard to balance. The pH of the water should not be higher than 5.6.

Even if you have hydrangeas that turn pink or blue, adding more amendment to the soil will not intensify the depth of color. Color may vary from season to season due to weather, plant stress and changes in the environment. Plants near a concrete foundation or walkway may never turn blue because of the lime that leaches out of the concrete. And remember, altering your soil to change your hydrangea’s color is not a one time thing. You will have to maintain the altered soil conditions.


{ Happy Gardening! Posted by McDonald Garden Center, June 16, 2010 }

If you love blue, Agapanthus produces some of the best blues in the summer garden.

This easy-to-grow perennial produces colorful blue globes made of trumpet-shaped flowers in summer and fall. Its evergreen leaves add texture to beds, borders, and containers. Agapanthus blooms best in a spot where it gets full sun and has moist, well-drained soil. These blue beauties can be grown in the ground and are striking in containers.

Consider these design ideas when planting Agapanthus in your garden. Line them up for a quaint edging or plant in seas of blue as a groundcover. They work well in groups combined with other annuals and perennials. The structure of the flower makes it suitable for modernistic landscapes and crisp contemporary compositions.

They are perfect paired with shades or orange and yellow. Try these companion plants: Shasta Daisies, Coral Bells, Lantana, Daylilies

Agapanthus is truly a summer gift to the garden.

One of life’s simple pleasures is enjoying fresh, ripe berries at breakfast. Or, how about impressing dinner guests with a salad medley of tender homegrown greens and cherry tomatoes?

The appeal of fruits and vegetables, picked at their succulent best, is prompting more and more gardeners to try growing their own. Over the past four years harvesting home-grown veggies has risen steadily. This is due in part to the popularity of organic food, concern for the environment and a burgeoning appreciation for great-tasting fresh food.

In Hampton Roads, which straddles zones 7 and 8, growing your own food is not too challenging. Planting typically begins in mid- to late April, and the growing season can run up to 280 days. The long summer heat allows us to have melons, peppers, okra, and fruits like figs and persimmons.

We suggest these helpful tips for hungry gardeners who want to make the most of our area’s generous climate:

HAVE A BLUEPRINT
Think about what you and your family like to eat and what you’re planning to do with the produce. If you plant too many veggies, they may grow faster than you can eat them.

TEST THE SOIL
For best results, it’s important to run a pH test on your soil. Keeping the pH adjusted correctly makes your fertilizer more effective and improves plant performance. McDonald Garden Center customers can have this done at any of our locations.

CHOOSE A SUNNY SPOT
Vegetables need a minimum of six hours of sun each day. Long-term crops like fruit trees, shrubs, and vines should be planted to the north side so they get a share of the sun too, creating an ascending order as you look north.

ADD MULCH
Mulch keeps soil moisture at an even level. The first week of May, when the soil has warmed up, is the perfect time to apply 4 to 6 inches of mulch.

WATER WEEKLY
Vegetable gardens like about an inch of water a week, preferably in the morning, rather than a little water each day. Once a week, gives your garden a deep watering allowing water to seep down into the ground enabling the plants to develop a good, strong root system.

You only get one chance for your home to make a first impression, and with a little help from Mother Nature, you can get a second look from passerbys by infusing show-stopping color in your landscape.

Color is one of the more important principles to think about when planning your landscape design. The use of color can create focal points that help draw attention to certain areas of your yard. Use splashes of color to highlight your front door, a walkway, a focal point (bench or fountain) or even an entryway.

Focal points in your landscape do not have to be complicated. You can do simple things such as placing a large grouping of brightly colored flowering plants among greenery. You could also use color pockets to create focal points. For instance, bright, white flowers are great for helping to accomplish this goal as they are a natural focal point. When planning your landscaping project, be sure to plan for the various changes in colors that your selected plants will make throughout the year. Above are some photos displaying landscapes designed and installed by McDonald Landscapes. Here are some of our Landscape Designers recommendations for both sun & shade plants that will add a ‘pop’ of color in your landscape:

Shade Loving Plants:
Impatiens
Begonias
Columbine

Sun Loving Plants:
Petunias
Shasta Daisy
Lantana