How do I obtain a hydrangea bush to be purple?? I know to use lime for pink color, but how do I acquire purple?
Answers: To get the pH of the soil slightly lower than it is at the moment. Strong Alkali make the hydrangea go blue and near the lime you have made it more sharp so it needs to be slightly smaller quantity acidic but not too acidc for pink as you enjoy them already. It may take a bit of time to carry the right coulour.
There are a lot of myths give or take a few PH being a factor - but the PH merely affects the absorption of Aluminum by the plant within this case. Hydrangeas next to Aluminum and acidic soil will be blue - but they requirement both, which is why Aluminum Sulphate is the proper additive. You can buy it at the garden store and they even sometimes trade it as "Hydrangea Blueing Additive" - but it is just plain behind the times Aluminum Sulphate. Wash your hands after handling or wear gloves to apply it around the platform of the plant. It is most effective when applied past the leaves start to come out, but it will eventually make the latter blooms more blue (or purple) even if it is already blooming now.