Hydrangea Flower Colors Explained

Hydrangea colors can be tricky to define due to one fascinating characteristic – they can change color. There are several factors that influence this change, from species to age and, most importantly, the pH of the soil. This article discusses everything you need to know about Hydrangea colors, including the most popular types in each category.

What Determines The Color Of A Hydrangea?

Hydrangeas are perhaps most well-known for their ability to change color. As the flower ages, this isn’t a minor color change, as you may see in some other blooms, but a drastic change from deep pink to bright blue.

There are a few characteristics that impact Hydrangea flower color to look out for:

Species

The first defining factor in Hydrangea color is the species. Only two of the few commonly grown species can change color. This includes the most popular Bigleaf Hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla) and the Mountain Hydrangea (Hydrangea serrata). Other Hydrangea species will remain the same color no matter the conditions they are kept in, with some only changing color toward the end of the season as the flowers fade.

Original Color

If you’ve planted a Bigleaf or Mountain Hydrangea, that does not guarantee they can change color. White Hydrangeas will remain white, and even some pink and purple species will remain the same color, not impacted by external conditions. These species can fade to a different color toward the end of the season but will remain their original color during their main blooming period, no matter where they are planted. It’s essential to understand your specific type before buying if you want color-changing Hydrangeas.

Soil Acidity

If you have the suitable species and color, the next and most important factor influencing their color is the pH of the soil. Well, to get more technical, it is actually the presence of aluminum in the soil and how it interacts with the soil pH.

In alkaline soils with a pH of 7 or higher, aluminum particles bond to the soil more frequently, not taken up by the plants. Due to the lack of aluminum, the hydrangea blooms will remain pink. In acidic soils, more aluminum is absorbed and metabolized by the plants, causing them to turn blue.

Most soils have enough aluminum to make the pH distinction enough to change the color. However, in soil that lacks aluminum, your Hydrangeas will always stay pink, no matter the pH.

Growing Zones

Temperature can also have an impact on what color your Hydrangeas are and the intensity of that color. Hydrangeas grow best in moderate conditions in USDA Zones 3-7. They prefer cooler weather to warm weather. 

If temperatures are too warm, your Hydrangeas will never turn an intense pink, almost red color, nor will they reach deep blue. Instead, they will remain a soft pink, purple or blue, depending on the other factors discussed. 

White hydrangeas can also change color to a pink hue when temperatures drop, signaling the end of the flowering season.

Hydrangea Color Varieties

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White Hydrangea Flowers

White is arguably the most popular Hydrangea color. The delicate blooms instantly brighten any garden, standing out amongst the deep green foliage. They also make wonderful cut flowers, especially for wedding bouquets or décor.

There are many beautiful cultivars to choose from across the different species. Bigleaf Hydrangeas are generally sold with colored flowers, but a few options remain pure white throughout the season. Lanarth White is one of these, with large lacecap flowers and a hardy growth habit. Fireworks is another option, featuring double blooms that can take on a slight pink or blue tinge depending on soil pH.

Most white Hydrangeas are part of the Hydrangea paniculata species. Flowers in this species have a unique cone shape and are either pure white in color or have a slight hue that makes them appear a soft pastel. Sundae Fraise is one of these, developing a soft pink blush as the flowers mature.

Popular as cut flowers, Smooth Hydrangeas are stunning in white, with rounded heads in stark and eye-catching creamy colors. Annabelle is a beloved white cultivar for its massive flower heads that, despite their size, look incredibly delicate. Incrediball features even bigger flowers and stronger stems than Annabelle to stop the stunning flowers from falling over under their own weight.

Oakleaf Hydrangeas can’t be left off this list either. With names like Snow King, it’s not hard to see why. These Hydrangeas are great for warmer areas as they can better withstand the head without impacting too much on their flowering. Try Alice or Gatsby Moon for stunning white summer blooms.

Blue Hydrangea Flowers

Blue flowers are somewhat of a mystery, not at all common, but incredibly sought after by ornamental gardeners. Their rarity is explained by the difficulty of flowers in producing blue pigment, which is why only 10% of all flowers worldwide have blue petals. Other flowers may appear in specific lighting but are generally considered purple.

If you’re looking for that beloved blue color, look no further than Hydrangea macrophylla and Hydrangea serrata. In the right soil conditions, there are many varieties that cover different shades of blue, from pastel to an intense deep blue that most gardeners only dream of.

Most blue Hydrangeas fall under the Bigleaf category. The most sought-after has to be blue members of the Endless Summer Series, grown for their long-lasting flowers and long blooming season. 

Twist and Shout is one member of the series with lacecap flowers in a stunning blue tone. But that’s not all there is to choose from. Look out for these other blue Bigleaf cultivars in your area:

• Générale Vicomtesse DeVibraye
• Big Daddy
• Nantucket Blue
• Nikko Blue
• Let’s Dance Rhythmic Blue – a mix of blue and purple
• Mathilda Gutges – the deepest blue of all the Hydrangeas

Although less common, you can also look to Mountain Hydrangeas for your daily dose of blue color. These blooms are usually a more delicate pale blue than some Bigleaf Hydrangeas’ intense blue. Look out for Bluebird, Blue Billow, or Tuff Stuff Ah Ha, and snatch them up quickly as they sell out fast.

As these species can change color, ensure your soil is acidic and has enough aluminum to keep these blooms blue. Specialized fertilizers and potting soils are also available to maintain the flowers’ color.

Pink Hydrangea Flowers

Pink hydrangeas are a firm favorite among home gardeners, in shades from the lightest blush pink to an almost vibrant red hue. Most of the cultivars labeled as red hydrangeas are just a really dark pink color, intensified in suitable soil and climate conditions.

As with blue Hydrangeas, the Endless Summer series is the go-to flower for its longevity and gorgeous shape. With the right soil and conditions, you can make these flowers appear any way you want. Other Bigleaf Hydrangeas in the pink category are Zorro or the incredible Miss Saori, boasting white petals with pink edging.

For a deeper pink flower color, opt for the Mountain Hydrangea Preziosa. The blooms are bright and intense pink, and the foliage provides an interest of its own, changing to a deep burgundy color in fall.

Other species also provide attractive options for any kind of garden. For lovers of Oakleaf Hydrangeas, Gatsby Pink will meet all your needs.

Green Hydrangea Flowers

The final Hydrangea color to consider is green. While some gardeners don’t appreciate when their previously white, pink, or blue blooms transform into a shade of green, many gardeners look forward to it. Thanks to this interest, a few cultivars that remain green for most, if not all, season long have been developed. These are also very popular in floral arrangements, complementing green foliage incredibly well.

The most popular of all the green Hydrangeas is Limelight, a Panicle Hydrangea with gorgeous whitish-green flowers. Although they are considered the best and longest-blooming green type, they often take on a shade of turn white and eventually turn pink at the end of the season. Little Lime is the next best thing – just like Limelight, only more compact.

If you can get your hands on one, you can also try Pistachio and Candy Apple. While they generally don’t stay green as long as Limelight, they are great ways to add a fleeting complementary green hue to your perennial garden.

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Botanical Overview

Hydrangeas are commonly known by their genus name and occasionally their previous genus name Hortensia. They are the most used genus in the family Hydrangeaceae, with over 75 species grown worldwide. They are prized for their symbolic value and host of uses and benefits.

Although there is some variation between the popular hydrangea species, only a few are usually grown in home gardens:

• Bigleaf (Hydrangea macrophylla)
• Oakleaf (Hydrangea quercifolia)
• Smooth (Hydrangea arborescens)
• Panicle (Hydrangea paniculata)
• Climbing (Hydrangea anomala subsp. petiolaris)
• Mountain (Hydrangea serrata)

Bigleaf Hydrangeas are a crowd-favorite and the most widely grown species. But each species comes with its own quirks, from uniquely shaped flowers, varying sizes, to different growing zones that make them all beautiful choices for home gardeners.

The Final Word 

These color-changing beauties are staples in any ornamental garden, treating you to a kaleidoscope of pink, purple, blue, white, and green throughout the season.