Use of nails with hydrangea
 

Does the use of rusty nails actually work to keep hydrangeas blue?
I have a new blue variety which has come through purple and I see that there
is not a blue one on the street. I know all about acid and alkali, but
wondered whether I need aluminium sulphate blueing powder or whether the
cheaper alternative really works.
--
Jim S
Tyneside UK
http://www.jimscott.co.uk

Use of nails with hydrangea
 

Jim Scott wrote:
Does the use of rusty nails actually work to keep hydrangeas blue?
I have a new blue variety which has come through purple and I see that
there
is not a blue one on the street. I know all about acid and alkali, but
wondered whether I need aluminium sulphate blueing powder or whether
the
cheaper alternative really works.

I'd be interested to know the answer to this. I bought a blue hydrangea
earlier this year and put it in a bed which had several pink-flowering
things (not hydrangeas, but I don't know what most of them are). The
intention was to create a nice colour contrast but sadly it turned pink
within weeks.

Rhiannon