When Do Hydrangeas With Nikko Blue Blooms?

Nikko Blue hydrangea is a deciduous mop head hydrangea that blooms in early summer for up to two months, producing beautiful 4-inch blue blooms throughout the summer. The plant thrives in partial shade and prefers dappled or filtered light with protection from the sun. The flower heads may turn pink or blue, and the plant features clusters of pink or blue florets in large, rounded panicles (corymbs) that bloom in June for up to two months.

The bloom season for hydrangeas varies from spring to summer, with some warmer climates experiencing a burst of blooms during early fall. Harvest the blooms when they are fully open and deadhead spent blossoms to encourage more flowers. Cut back the plant in late fall to help it grow.

Nikko Blue hydrangea blooms will appear in late spring or early summer, continuing to bloom throughout summer. They start to die back in the fall, but you can prolong the blooming season by continually removing spent blooms. Spring and Fall are ideal times to plant hydrangeas, but avoid planting them in summer when temperatures are mid80s or higher.

Pruning Nikko Blue hydrangeas should be done in early to mid-summer, as they grow buds in late summer and fall on old wood. Pruning right after the plants finish blooming is best for Nikko Blue and other hydrangeas, but there often is dead wood in the spring that needs attention.

The mature spread of Nikko Blue hydrangea is 6-7 feet, with a habit of upright growth and large, rounded flower clusters that bloom in a rich, sky blue throughout the summer season.

Where do blue hydrangeas grow best?

The color of hydrangea flowers is not determined by the blooms themselves but by the chemistry of the soil. Alkaline soils result in pinker blooms, while neutral pH soils show hints of blue with lavender shades. Blue hydrangeas bloom in acidic soils, usually with a pH of 5. 5 or less. To turn hydrangeas blue, mix ¼ oz aluminum sulfate with water and soak the soil surrounding the plant in spring. Reapply the acidity every 4 weeks and 8 weeks.

Organic materials like coffee grounds, egg shells, or citrus fruit peels can also make soil more acidic. Grinding these materials into the ground can gradually change the pH. Most hydrangeas are already blushing at a neutral pH, so it’s not necessary to turn them pink. However, if the hydrangeas show a purple tinge, lime products can be added to increase alkalinity and restore the color.

Why is my nikko blue hydrangea pink?

Hydrangeas’ color is determined by the pH of the soil. In acidic soil, flowers turn blue, while in alkaline soil, they turn pink or red. In slightly acid or neutral soil, they may be purple or a mix of blue and pink. Selections vary in their sensitivity to pH, with some plants remaining crimson in acidic soil and others remaining purple. White hydrangeas remain white regardless of the soil pH. To change the color of a hydrangea, sprinkle ½ cup of garden sulfur over the soil and water it in, or use ground lime to make it more alkaline.

‘Endless Summer’ Color Me Pink and Color Me Blue products provide pelletized lime and sulfur, which may need to be applied several times at 60-day intervals. Results may take months or not become evident until next year’s bloom.

When to cut back nikko blue hydrangeas?

The “Nikko Blue” hydrangea is relatively unprone to excessive pruning, although it may be shaped by pruning in early fall. The plant will remain viable and will bloom next year. Roxanne extends her best wishes to you all.

Do blue hydrangeas like sun or shade?

Enchantress hydrangeas flourish in environments that receive indirect sunlight or shade during the morning and afternoon hours. The plants have been cultivated in containers for a period of five years, during which time they have been fertilised with organic matter and compost. The plant specimens include “Blue Jangles,” “Bloomstruck,” and “Let’s Dance Diva.” It is recommended that shorter varieties of Hydrangea macrophylla be used in containers.

How do you take care of a Nikko blue hydrangea?

The cultivar “Nikko Blue” is a popular and vigorous variety, characterized by large, rounded flower heads of a deep blue hue. To maintain the plant, one should prune it back to the first pair of buds in the spring. The plant should be cultivated in soil with a high water retention capacity and good drainage, in a location with sunlight to partial shade, and in a sheltered position to protect it from drying winds.

Do Nikko blue hydrangeas like sun or shade?

The Nikko Blue Hydrangea thrives in full sun to part shade and prefers moist, well-drained, fertile, acidic soil. In hot climates, it requires some shade. To maintain the deep blue color, amend the soil with compost, elemental sulfur, or acid-loving fertilizers. Mulching with pine straw or pine bark can help add acidity to the soil. Keep the soil moist but not saturated, especially in summer and the first year after planting. Deep watering once weekly during hot temperatures is recommended, with mulching at about 3 inches deep.

Choose a slow-release fertilizer for acid-loving plants and fertilize once in spring after the last chance of frost and again in early summer. Pruning hydrangeas after blooming can encourage bushier growth and renew an older plant.

Preventing disease and pests is crucial, with proper location choice, watering, and fertilization being key. Natural treatments for mites, scale, whiteflies, and aphids include neem oil or insecticidal soap, while pesticides like carbaryl can be used for severe infections. Fungal infections can be prevented by good drainage and avoiding overhead watering. Preventative treatment in early spring is generally effective.

The compact Nikko Blue Hydrangea is perfect for small gardens, confined spaces, and containers, accenting your landscape with its endless blooms.

How do you get blue hydrangeas to flower?

To turn hydrangeas blue, adjust the soil’s pH by adding aluminum sulfate, coffee grounds, vinegar, or other substances. This is a proven method for changing flower color, but it may take up to a year for the flowers to transition to the desired shade. The process is gradual and may require multiple applications. Re-test the soil’s pH and adjust treatments as needed. If the hydrangeas already bloomed pink, they may not see blue flowers until next year.

Soil amendments affect developing buds, not bloomed flowers. Be cautious when lowering the pH too much or too quickly, as this may cause plants to struggle to absorb necessary nutrients. If the pH becomes too low, apply lime to raise it back up.

What is the lifespan of a blue hydrangea?

Hydrangeas are large, shade-loving garden shrubs that flourish in cooler climates and have the potential to survive for up to 50 years with appropriate placement and maintenance.

Do coffee grounds really turn hydrangeas blue?

Coffee grounds can be used to change the color of hydrangeas, but it’s best to use aluminum sulfate for a proven flower color change. Crushed eggshells may work, but they should be used with a proven method of raising the pH, like applying garden lime. Vinegar can be added to watering cans to change soil acidity and turn hydrangeas blue, but it’s not a long-term solution and can be harmful to local wildlife.

How long does it take to turn pink hydrangeas blue?

To change the color of hydrangea plants, it takes time and patience to adjust the soil pH. The ideal pH for pink blooms is around 6. 0, while blue blooms are around 4. 5 to 5. 5. Soil high in pH may have free calcium carbonate or marl, making it difficult to lower the pH.

To turn hydrangea flowers pink, add lime to the soil, following the recommended dose. Sandy soils require less lime than clay soils, and applying about one cup per plant once per year is safe. Sprinkle the lime all around the plant, using a rake to combine it with the top layer of soil. The optimal time to apply the initial dose is in early spring or fall, but you can add the lime anytime.

Reblooming varieties of hydrangea may show a color change before the blooming season is over, especially with reblooming varieties with a long flowering season. It’s worth the wait and effort to achieve the desired color change for your hydrangea plants.

Do coffee grounds keep hydrangeas blue?

Coffee grounds can be used to change the color of hydrangeas, but it’s best to use aluminum sulfate for a proven flower color change. Crushed eggshells may work, but they should be used with a proven method of raising the pH, like applying garden lime. Vinegar can be added to watering cans to change soil acidity and turn hydrangeas blue, but it’s not a long-term solution and can be harmful to local wildlife.