http://www.flowersbulbs.com/manipulatecolor.cfm

Here is a reference for pH and coloring. I did have it backwards.
Sorry, thanks John.

pH of 4.5-----deep blue----acid

pH of 7.0----deep pink----alkaline

Aluminum in the soil is the element responsible.

*note that white hydrangeas are not altered at all. white stays white.

Elaine in Ga
Zone 7b


"John Savage" wrote in message
om...
"Elaine" writes:
As I stated above soil pH determines the color. Alkaline for blue, acid
for
pink but they start out green until they mature. The plant itself tends

Without consulting a reference, I'd say you have that 'round the wrong
way.
I seem to remember hydrangeas being the opposite to litmus; hydrangeas are
blue in acid and pink in alkali I think.

(Actually it's not that straightforward, as I recall a science teacher
winning a science award for determining what it *really* is that changes
the hydrangea's colour from pink to blue or back again, but roughly
speaking using pH is good enough, but you probably know that.)
--
John Savage (my news address is not valid for email)