Uppie's Farmhand‘Hydrangea’ is derived from Greek and means ‘water vessel’, which is in reference to the shape of its seed capsules. In most species the flowers are white, but in some species (notably H. macrophylla), can be blue, red, pink, light purple, or dark purple. In these species, floral color change occurs due to the presence of aluminium ions which are available or tied up depending upon the soil pH. For H. macrophylla and H. serrata cultivars, the flower color can be determined by the relative acidity of the soil: an acidic soil (pH below 7), will have available aluminum ions and typically produce flowers that are blue to purple, whereas an alkaline soil (pH above 7) will tie up aluminum ions and result in pink or red flowers.
This is caused by a color change of the flower pigments in the presence of aluminum ions which can be taken up into hyper-accumulating plants. Lowering the pH of potting soils or mixes usually does not change the flower color to blue, because these soils have no aluminum ions. The ability to blue or pink a hydrangea is also influenced by the cultivar. Some plants are selected for their ability to be blued, while others are bred and selected to be red, pink or white. The flower color of most other Hydrangea species is not affected by aluminum and cannot be changed or shifted. Hydrangeas are also nicknamed ‘Change Rose’.
Uppie likes to feed them coffee grounds, but this year, she’s been inconsistent, so our colors are sort of all over the place, which I find rather fun. Either way, when you’re sitting outside, you’ll often get a strong aroma of coffee, usually some form of Hazelnut and Vanilla, and it’s quite lovely. I like to think of it as our coffee-flavored flowers.
Uppie's Farmhand
