Hydrangeas...

We used to have a blue and a pink one next to each other in the front garden (I dug them up as I can't stand them, look really messy all winter and remind me of a slightly smelly old woman who lived near us as a kid!) when we first moved in and my understanding was that it was down to the type ie one which is pink will always be pink but you'll get better colour in the acid soil.

Now you are teasing, don't tell me you are about to hand over your QoG mantle.......

Hydrangea Questions and Answers

Oi matey

I'm wondering about white and deep red ones...couldn't find anything about that!!!

'Lanarth White' is a hardy old fashioned variety reaching 3 feet tall. The lacecap type flowers are blue to pink with pure white outer ray flowers. This deciduous, rounded shrub has ovate, toothed green leaves to 8 inches long. Enormous flower clusters to 8 inches across bloom in summer and early fall. Lacecaps have small fertile flowers in the center of the cluster, surrounded by larger, four-petaled sterile flowers. Hortensias, also known as Mophead Hydrangeas, have clusters made up of only large sterile flowers. Pink or blue flower color is determined by soil pH. White varieties are not affected by soil pH. Hydrangeas do best in moist, well drained, moderatly fertile soil that is rich in humus. Protection from winter winds and extreme cold is best. Cultivars of Hydrangea macrophylla fall into either Lacecaps or either Hortensias. Red to pink flowers occur in alkaline soils and blue to purple flowers in acid soils. Hydrangeas can be forced to change flower color, however, this must be done before bloom begins. To make or maintain blue flowers in alkaline soils, treat with aluminum sulfate. To make or keep pink flowers in acid soil, add lime............

http://www.backyardgardener.com/plantname/pd_24bf.html

my in laws have three side by side in their front garden one white one blue and one pink, they have had them for years and years and add a handfull of rusty nails to the soil by the blue one once every few years.
so i don't think pots are necersary

Strictly speaking, it is not the soil pH that determines the colour of your hydrangeas but the aluminium take up.

Our last house had well established hydrangeas - blue and pink ones. I wasn't crazy about them at all until one day I decided to use them as a cut flower as we had hundreds of them - totally changed my opinion as they looked so striking.

Last year, Waitrose were selling eight hydrangea blooms in a bouquet for £25.00. I was amazed!

I'm quite taken with the white ones...might find space in a border for one.