Thursday, July 10, 2014

Sad I Know, But I Grew Them


I love hydrangeas, blue ones especially.

I heard hydrangeas are easy to grow, so two
Summers ago I bought a plant with blue flowers.

Miraculously the plant has survived two winters.
But, after the first winter, the flowers came
back pink.


I bought a product that said it would turn them
back to blue, but that didn't work out...

I've decided to embrace the pink.

But I'm going to buy another plant
with blue flowers and see if I can keep
them blue.

If you have any tips on keeping them
blue, I would love to hear them!

 Meanwhile, I'm really proud of these
sad little shaggy blooms.

 I put them in an old blue Mason jar and set
them on my coffee table that's a work in progress.



Here's a peek at my $12 Goodwill coffee table.
I bought it 3 years ago and have been torturing
it every since.

It's only halfway through it's makeover at this
point. I'll be sharing it as soon as I get done.

 Thanks for dropping by and be sure to leave me
any tips you have for keeping hydrangeas blue!




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19 comments:

  1. Phyllis @Around the HouseJuly 10, 2014 at 11:29 PM

    my hydrangeas did the same thing, I still loved the pink then the whole thing got a disease and it died..lol love yours though

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    Replies
    1. At Rivercrest CottageJuly 11, 2014 at 6:56 AM

      oh no, not a disease. this is the first outside plant I've been able to keep alive. It was only about $7 at Lowes so I guess I've got my monies worth.

      Delete
  2. UnknownJuly 10, 2014 at 11:32 PM

    Add aluminum to the soil to turn pink to blue. It's easier than changing blue to pink. I like your project so far. Can't wait to see it done.

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    Replies
    1. At Rivercrest CottageJuly 11, 2014 at 6:59 AM

      I'm really not a gardener Nancy, so all I can think of is to wrap it in Reynold's Wrap. Can you tell me how to add aluminum?

      Delete
  3. VickiJuly 11, 2014 at 12:33 PM

    I love hydrangeas, but haven't had much luck with them - our climate is too arid, I think. To make yours blue again, I just read an article that suggests adding epsom salts, and a fertilizer that has aluminum sulfate in it. http://www.al.com/living/index.ssf/2013/06/how_do_i_make_my_hrdrangeas_bl.html

    That made me laugh about torturing your coffee table. It looks pretty already-- looking forward to seeing the end result.

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  4. At Rivercrest CottageJuly 11, 2014 at 3:00 PM

    oh...so aluminum sulfate and Epsom salts. I'm going to give it a try. thanks for reading and thanks for the tip.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Cranberry MorningJuly 11, 2014 at 4:09 PM

    I thought the idea of wrapping it in aluminum foil was perfectly logical. LOL I had hydrangeas once, but the blossoms were so heavy they bent down to the ground. Anyway, I love that table, just as it is now. I wish I had some of the furniture I've thrown out over the years. I've seen so many makeovers now, that I'm feeling a tad regretful. Have a nice weekend. So fun to find your blog. Following via GFC.

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  6. JaysaJuly 11, 2014 at 5:01 PM

    I know it has something to do with the soil, but no idea what. I think the pink is lovely. I say, just roll with it. Beautiful! And I love that coffee table.

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  7. Art and SandJuly 12, 2014 at 1:46 AM

    love the coffee table . . . love your hydrangeas

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  8. Pat@Back Porch MusingsJuly 13, 2014 at 4:44 PM

    For a few years we had lots of blooms on the hydrangeas. They were blue the first year, then went pink and nothing we did made them go back to blue. Last year, due to drought, we had only one bloom, this year, due to the colder than usual Winter, we had only two.
    Your hydrangea bouquet is beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
  9. PatJuly 13, 2014 at 6:28 PM

    Rivercest Cottage,
    Hydrangea hues will change with your soil.
    It is due to the acidity or lack there of.
    If you take a sample of your Soil to your County Extension Office it can be tested for a modest fee. After testing they will tell you what to add to ammend your soil to the perfect ph balance to keep your hydrangea plant healthy and blue.
    Anything that doesn't survive in arid climate and high temperatures doesn't survive in my Garden regardless of what Zone suggestions state!!!
    The pink hydrangea is a beautiful hue.
    Here's to great gardening!!!
    Fondly,
    Pat

    ReplyDelete
  10. Laurel StephensJuly 13, 2014 at 6:44 PM

    I wish I could give you some useful advice for growing hydrangeas, but until this year's successful white one (the entire plant's only a foot tall) I've been pretty useless at it. I'm like you, though when I manage to grow one, I couldn't be prouder of it! Your comment about torturing your coffee table has me chuckling! It's beautiful!

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  11. ChrisJuly 13, 2014 at 10:04 PM

    Hi there, I just love your hydrangeas. I'm just stopping by to say how delightful your blog is. Thanks so much for sharing. I have recently found your blog and am now following you, and will visit often. Please stop by my blog and perhaps you would like to follow me also. Have a wonderful day. Hugs, Chris
    http://chelencarter-retiredandlovingit.blogspot.ca/

    ReplyDelete
  12. chateau chicJuly 14, 2014 at 7:13 AM

    I think you're pink hydrangeas are gorgeous!! This year I'd take any color since mine aren't blooming. :-)
    Thanks so much for stopping by.
    Mary Alice

    ReplyDelete
  13. Lady of the ManorJuly 14, 2014 at 8:19 AM

    Love your hydrangeas! I had lots of blooms last year, all colors-they seemed to progress the rainbow as they aged on the bush. Not sure why? This year, I don't have any blooms. :( It's a healthy looking bush, though. I really like your coffee table as it is now. I'll be interested to see what you're going to do with it. Enjoy your week!

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  14. Pat@Life At Lydias HouseJuly 14, 2014 at 10:01 PM

    I love your pink hydrangeas! We can only grow blue ones here in SC because the soil is too acidic. You need to add an acidifier to your soil. Various plant foods at the garden center will be labeled specifically for "acid loving plants." You may want to try one of those.

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  15. Sharon @ Elizabeth & Co.July 17, 2014 at 10:03 PM

    I know you can play with the acidity of your soil to influence the color of your hydrangeas, but I tend to just let them bloom whatever color they prefer. I think the pink is really pretty!

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  16. Sandies' PatchAugust 6, 2014 at 4:33 AM

    Beware of using too much Epsom salts as this could kill off the good bacteria in the soil and your plant.
    Leave the flower heads on over winter as it protects the the new shoots (with flowering potential) just underneath the flower head, either side of the stem. When the weather is warmer and the plants around start growing well, remove the flower head. Planting in and mulching with Ericaceous compost and leaf mould (for acid loving plants/woodland plants), will raise the pH and help your your Hydrangea have blue flowers. Good luck!

    ReplyDelete
  17. NanaNor'sSeptember 11, 2014 at 5:26 PM

    Hi there, I agree that the acidity of the soil is the key-but don't know enough to give you details-I would google it. I do remember that we used to save the water from steamed veges-like broccoli and water our Azaleas with it and any other acid loving plant.

    ReplyDelete

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