Hydrangeas – Pinker Than Usual This Year

Q: My hydrangeas are more pink than usual this year. Do you know why?

A: A: I could suggest theories but I’m not sure they hold water. Hydrangea flower color is determined by the amount of aluminum present in the flower petals. More aluminum equal a blue-er bloom. Perhaps last year’s drought damaged the shrub roots so not as much aluminum was absorbed this year. Perhaps the March freeze damaged the top flower buds and the secondary buds were not able to absorb aluminum as they normally would in most years. You can promote blue flowers in the future by adding a couple of tablespoons of aluminum sulfate to a gallon of water and pouring it around your hydrangeas.