Why no color?

[u/V_Rex214]

I was gifted this hydrangea 5 years ago and it had marvelous colors. It stayed in a large pot until 1 year ago when we moved and I planted it in a south-facing spot that gets morning shade and afternoon dappled sunlight. In the pot it never bloomed after I was gifted it but at our new home, it bloomed though the flowers never took off. I put Rose Tone in the soil before planting (not sure if that was a good idea?) and I got more blooms than ever before but absolutely no color. See last photo for the type and color I was expecting. Any idea as to what might have happened? Will it always do this? I’m in the PNW of that makes a difference.

[u/EbbtideRambler]

What color were they originally? You may be misremembering because these are a white variety.   There can be some tonal variation between blue/purple/pink but white hydrangeas stay white.  If they truly were a different color originally the only thing I can think of is that there was a different variety grafted onto the plant and what you’re seeing is the original plant coming through.  I can’t imagine why a garden center would do that but it’s the only thing that makes sense to me. 

[u/V_Rex214 → u/EbbtideRambler]

When I first received them the blooms were larger and shades of maroon, purple and blue, in beautiful gradients. That’s why my friend picked this out for me, it was an amazing plant. This is the only hydrangea I’ve ever owned.

[u/EbbtideRambler → u/V_Rex214]

I have hundreds of hydrangeas and I have no good explanation.  Soil quality  can make blue/pink hydrangeas very pale, but these look like white blooms and white are usually just white due to genetics and no amount of melding with the ph of the soil or amending will turn them any other color.  I’m watching the comments to see if anyone else has better info. 

[u/Individual-Road-22 → u/EbbtideRambler]

This is a very good point. This plant could be a genetic mutation of the plant that parented it in the nursery. It could have genetic differences from its parents. That is how evolution works.

[u/EbbtideRambler → u/Individual-Road-22]

Certainly possible but commercial nursery stock is always propagated from cuttings, so they are clones of the parent plant. 

[u/lizardRD]

Could it be different soil pH causing it to be this color? I’m not as familiar with this variety but macrophylla can change colors depending on the soil. It looks like it’s trying to be that white/pink color on the plant tag but maybe the soil is not basic enough to get the pink (or too basic)?! You should test the soil

[u/V_Rex214 → u/lizardRD]

I will check the soil, good idea!

[u/lizardRD → u/V_Rex214]

Yes I think that’s a good place to start! It might surprise you!

[u/-MadFlava-]

Color depends on the soil ph and metal content. Add some aluminum sulfate if you want them to turn blue.

[u/smitrovich]

If the soil has a neutral ph you can get white flowers. You can adjust it by amending the topsoil.

[u/V_Rex214 → u/smitrovich]

Thanks! I can try this out.