Marianne's Response

Can Hyacinth flowers change color

Hi,
I have a bed of hyacinth that were half blue flowers and half pink flowers last year. This year all but one is pink. What would be the cause of this color change. The plants are in Graham wa.
Thanks

Posted by woltzen on April 11, 2019

Marianne's Response

Hyacinths are like hydrangeas in that the color of the petals can change depending on the acidity of the soil. In acid soil with a lower pH the blooms will be blue. Even if you plant blue hyacinths,  after a few seasons the roots may grow into your own more alkaline soil and turn pink. White varieties stay white. If you want to keep your hyacinths (or your hydrangeas) blue you can add aluminum sulfate to the soil to make it more acid. Look for this product with the label "Garden Select" and you will be getting the form in a polymer coated granule just like Osmocote plant food. Just work the granules into the soil a bit, water and by next spring you should see more blue than pink hyacinth blooms. Plants are pretty amazing and changing the color of the blooms is a fun way to experiment in your garden. Keep growing, Marianne Binetti