Friday, August 16, 2013

DANTE IN THE GARDEN: THERE'S NOTHING STRANGAH THAN HYDRANGEA!

Dante and I thought we would update you on the state of our front garden.

 Something is changing ...

 ... and there are clues in these two pictures!



"I'm checkin' fings out frum close range", says Dante.  "An' I kin tell yoo dere is sumfin reely strange goin' on!"



 Here are our beautiful blue hydrangeas -- the pride of our garden!


 Except now they're turning pink!!!

This is the thing about hydrangeas.  They can easily turn colour.  Here's a little excerpt that I found on the internet:

"Hydrangeas are fascinating in that, unlike most other plants, the color of their flowers can change dramatically.

It would be nice if one could change the color of hydrangeas as easily ... but for most of us, it is not easy. The people who have the most control over the color of their hydrangeas are those who grow them in containers. It is much easier to control or alter the pH of the soil in a container than it is in the ground.

On the other hand, hydrangeas often change color on their own when they are planted or transplanted. They are adjusting to the new environment. It is not unusual to see several different colors on one shrub the next year after planting.

It is much easier to change a hydrangea from pink to blue than it is from blue to pink. Changing a hydrangea from pink to blue entails adding aluminum to the soil. Changing from blue to pink means subtracting aluminum from the soil or taking it out of reach of the hydrangea." 


 "So until Dada adds sum aloominums to our gahdin soil ...


... I'm jus' gonna enjoy being in da PINK!