What is the Description of a Hydrangea?

A hydrangea is primarily known as a deciduous shrub celebrated for its striking and varied flower clusters. These popular garden plants produce their beautiful blooms in distinct terminal, round, or umbrella-shaped formations.

Key Characteristics of Hydrangeas

Hydrangeas are easily identifiable by several defining features:

• Type: They are classified as deciduous shrubs, meaning they shed their leaves annually, typically in the autumn.
• Flower Arrangement: Their flowers are presented in prominent clusters. These clusters can take on different shapes, commonly appearing as:
  • Terminal Clusters: Forming at the end of stems.
  • Round Clusters: Often referred to as "mophead" hydrangeas due to their large, spherical blooms.
  • Umbrella-Shaped Clusters: Also known as "lacecap" hydrangeas, featuring a flatter cluster with small fertile flowers in the center surrounded by larger, showier sterile flowers.

The Fascinating World of Hydrangea Flower Colors

One of the most captivating aspects of hydrangeas is their diverse range of flower colors, which can include white, pink, blue, or even purple. What makes these colors particularly interesting is that, for many varieties, the bloom color is directly influenced by the pH level of the soil they are grown in.

Here's how soil pH affects hydrangea color:

• Blue Flowers: If a hydrangea plant flowers blue, it indicates that the soil is acidic, typically having a pH of less than 5.5.
• Pink Flowers: Conversely, if the blooms are pink, it signifies that the soil is alkaline, with a pH higher than 6.5.

Soil pH and Color Guide

Understanding this relationship can help gardeners influence the color of their hydrangea blooms.

It's important to note that white hydrangeas typically retain their white color regardless of soil pH.