So Blue that I'm Happy

Another successful year of my Nikko blue hydrangea actually blooming blue. The first two years I had this shrub, it bloomed pink. Our soil is naturally alkaline, and Nikko doesn't turn blue unless the soil is acidic. So elemental sulfur has to be worked into the soil each fall and spring.

Blue Isn't an Easy Color

My Nikko blue hydrangea, which spent its first few years flowering pink. The soil was too alkaline, and it took three years to get the acidity high enough for blue blooms.

Naturally Dried Hydrangea

Found this bloom from last year while doing some clean-up.

Blue is Tricky in Boise

This hydrangea has come very close to being evicted from my yard, but seeing this baby blue bloom makes me happy it's still here. This plant bloomed pink for the first 4 years I owned it because the soil has to be more acidic than alkaline for the blue to show up...and Boise soil is naturally alkaline. And it took four years of acidifier additives to get it to this color.

Dried Hydrangea

A naturally-dried hydrangea bloom.

Tricky Hydrangea

Yes, what a pretty blue hydrangea...and a frustrating plant! For the first four years, it bloomed pink because my soil was not acidic enough for it to bloom blue. Two years of soil treatments and finally, it's blue.