My Hydrangea is turning green? archived

Have you fertilized it? Does it seem like it might be pot-bound?

I'm not sure why a hydrangea would turn green, but they are very sensitive to the PH levels in the soil they inhabit. I have seen them go more blue, or more pink, but not green.

What color did it start out as??

Usually hydrangea flowers (petals) turn green as they age. The heads themselves don't fall off, they turn green, then gray, then pale. Lovely winter interest if they're outside. A drag if they're inside.

Some also start off green before the color develops.

Its an indoor plant that started out lovely periwinkle blue. After about a month, it started going green on me.

Peggy - what does potbound mean? That it's crowded in its current container?
momof4 - does that mean it's a seaonal thing and will go blue again? Please say yes.

That particular flower will not be blue again, but like you pointed out, other buds are forming. To make sure the flowers are blue, add some iron sulfate to the soil (I can give you a baggie of some if you need it - just whisper). Acidic soils make the hydrangea flowers pink. So don't add coffee grounds to the soil.

When I was growing up in Western Pa in the 1950's, the farmers would throw old nails and other scraps of iron around the hydrangea bushes. That worked too.

Posted By: debbyPeggy - what does potbound mean? That it's crowded in its current container?

Yes, this means the roots have grown too large for the container they are in. If you tip it a little, look at the drainage holes on the bottom. If there are roots sticking out of the drainage holes, it is time to find a bigger pot for it.

Interesting trick, wedjet.

I don't think that would cause the flowers themselves to turn green. It's probably the type of hydrangea (my Annabelle -- pure white -- hydrangea started out white and has now turned to green).

Posted By: EmskwareI don't think that would cause the flowers themselves to turn green. It's probably the type of hydrangea (my Annabelle -- pure white -- hydrangea started out white and has now turned to green).

I agree. I have a bad track record with hydrangea for some reason, so I have no idea.

could also be the lighting...may need a spell in proper dappled sunlight without glass protecting it. can you tell us the variety name??

Speaking of hydrangea, this picture was taken this afternoon in a small town in New England. These hydrangea are pink, white and exceptional. Anyone know why they look so great?

Those are probably Hydrangea Paniculata, a tree form. They bloom later, and are usually white around here. Most of the people here are posting about Oakleaf or Endless Summer or other modern species of shrub Hydrangea.

I also have a Hydrangea Petiolaris, which is a vining Hydrangea species. None of the talk here applies to that either.

It's complicated.

I love the tree form hydrangea... I want to try one or two of those next year. They are simply gorgeous.

They grow so well around here (New England.) Must be the cool, wet climate.