Hydrangeas are in bloom across the country, with gorgeous shades of blue, pink and white popular options. Heading into autumn, it’s important to take extra care of them so they bounce back next year. If you have pink hydrangeas and you would love to turn them a shade of blue, there’s one kitchen item which can be used to feed them.
Hydrangeas change colour based on the pH level of the soil they grow in, which means changing this can encourage them to turn blue. This includes using coffee grounds, which make the soil more acidic.
Whether using grounds leftover from your machine or out of a jar, either will do the job, according to one gardener on Facebook.
Taking to the Gardening Hints and Tips UK Facebook page, John Baxter wrote: “You can use eggshells to try or add aluminium sulfate to the soil, but I tend to sprinkle coffee scraps.
“This doesn’t just change the colour of my hydrangeas, but it also provides them with key nutrients. It took a while, but I swear by it now. They are a stunning shade.”
You can add coffee grounds to the soil whenever you like, but a couple of times throughout the flowering season is ideal.
Let the grounds dry out before adding them to the soil if they are wet, as this will create mould. Then simply spread the grounds evenly around the base or mix them into the soil.
However, it’s important to use the coffee grounds in moderation, as large amounts can be harmful.
Let the grounds dry out before adding them to the soil if they are wet, as this will create mould.
Then simply spread the grounds evenly around the base or mix them into the soil.
Citrus peels such as orange, grapefruit, lemon and lime can also be beneficial for hydrangeas and turn them blue.