Hydrangeas will turn 'stunning' blue if fed with 1 kitchen scraps — not banana

Hydrangeas are blooming magnificently nationwide, displaying stunning hues of blue, pink and white that gardeners adore. As we transition into autumn, it's crucial to provide them with proper care to ensure they flourish again next year, reports the Express.

For those with pink hydrangeas who fancy transforming them into a beautiful blue shade, there's a simple kitchen staple that can work wonders. Hydrangeas alter their colour depending on the soil's pH levels, meaning adjusting this can prompt them to shift blue.

This involves using coffee grounds, which increase the soil's acidity. Whether you're using leftover grounds from your coffee maker or straight from a jar, both will be effective, according to one experienced gardener on Facebook.

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How to grow blue hydrangeas

Posting on the Gardening Hints and Tips UK Facebook group, John Baxter shared: "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."

Coffee grounds can be applied to the soil at any time, though a few applications during the blooming period works best.

Allow wet grounds to dry completely before incorporating them into the soil, as moisture can cause mould to develop.

Simply scatter the grounds uniformly around the plant's base or work them into the earth.

Nevertheless, it's vital to use coffee grounds sparingly, as excessive quantities can prove detrimental. Allow the grounds to dry out before incorporating them into the soil if they're damp, as this could lead to mould.

Then just distribute the grounds evenly around the base or blend them into the soil. Citrus peels like orange, grapefruit, lemon and lime can also be advantageous for hydrangeas and turn them blue.

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