Lady In Red Hydrangea

‘Lady in Red’ Hydrangea
Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Lady in Red’ #15,175

Flowers are delicate lacecaps, 4 to 5 inches across, ringed with 5 to 10 clusters of showy pinkish white to pink sterile ray flowers. The fertile (center) flowers are bluish-purple. The ray flowers in acid (aluminum based) soils develop light blue coloration. As sepals mature, they reverse with the back-sides visible and gracefully age to burgundy-rose. If the flowers become unsightly as they mature, simply pinch or prune them. The ensuing growth brings a new freshness to the plant.

Changing Flower Color
Determining what color your Hydrangea macrophylla will be is based on the pH of your soil. A low pH (acidic, levels 4-5.5) means that aluminum is readily available in the soil and your flowers will tend to be blue. A high pH (alkaline, levels 6-6.5) indicates less available aluminum in the soil and produces a pink color to the blooms. In the growing mix used by most nurseries, the sepals will be pinkish white to pink because aluminum is not present in the medium.

To blue the sepals of ‘Lady in Red’ add aluminum sulfate (peat, pine needles, or soil sulfur). To have a pinker flower, add agricultural limestone, superphosphate or dolomite lime. Changing the color of the blooms can be tricky and variables in the pH of your water source can be a large part of the equation.

The pinkish white flowers are more attractive than the blue, so it is usually referred to as a pinkish-white bloom and “blueing” is not recommended. Consult your preferred Garden Center about rates and products to use for your specific area and be sure to follow the product directions as specified.