Hydrangea’s Colors Can Be Made To Order

The billowy flower heads of hydrangeas come in an array of colors. The pH of the soil determines whether these attractive shrubs will be blue or pink.

If you love blue flowers in your garden, few plants offer as many shades of this elusive color as hydrangeas. These blooming shrubs, for the most part, require no care, and if a few simple cultural requirements are met, they will bloom reliably in the garden for years.

Hybridizers from North America, Europe and Asia have been breeding this versatile shrub for years, and new varieties arrive on the market annually. The most recent breakthroughs in breeding have been in the area of containerized hydrangeas — what professional growers call "florist hydrangeas." These plants are often available around the holidays and are found in beautiful shades of blue, pink, white and bicolors. They often have large flowers that last for a long time indoors.

To read the rest of this story please go to: The Chicago Tribune