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Watering a blue hydrangea

ViewAheadViewAhead Posts: 866
in Plants
It has long been a personal ambition to have a blue hydrangea.  Mine are, however, pink as pink can be.  Every yr around this time I am tempted by the blue ones on offer in garden centres.  I would need to keep it in a pot and use acidic compost.  So far, very doable.  My problem would come with watering.  I have no drainpipes on my property, so no water butt.  Plus, we don't get enough rain here anyway.  Most summers are pretty dry.  Therefore, it would have to be daily tap water, but that would turn the flowers pink.   Is there anything I could add to my hard water that could run through the pot safely without damaging the surrounding environment?   

Or should I just give up on the idea of a blue hydrangea? 
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  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    You could use this -
    https://www.amazon.co.uk/Vitax-500g-Hydrangea-Colourant/dp/B078W9637Y/ref=sr_1_6?crid=2JOREW0ZO4368&keywords=hydrangea+blue+colourant&qid=1693150022&sprefix=hydrangea+bl%2Caps%2C97&sr=8-6

    Then no worries about rainwater

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • ViewAheadViewAhead Posts: 866
    Are colourants safe for the area water would run off to?  I don't want to damage other plants, worms, etc.  
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    I don't know.
    There's the safety data sheet here-
    https://www.gardenworld.co.uk/resources/uploads/576/products/74/Hydrangea%20Colourant.pdf

    Which indicates it's a skin irritant and not to get it in your eyes.

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • ViewAheadViewAhead Posts: 866
    I wasn't worrying about me as much as any build up in the ground around the base of the container.  
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    I don't really know, but I'd imagine it's as safe as many other garden products.
    There won't be a build up in the soil - you're not using much of the stuff and rain will wash it away, so it's unlikely to accumulate

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190
    It’s all Aluminium Sulphate,  probably cheaper than buying the branded hydrangea blue.

    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • ViewAheadViewAhead Posts: 866
    Might give it a go with next yr's blooms! 
  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190
    I wouldn’t spend too much though,  it doesn’t work that well,  it’s best to go with the soil you’ve got rather than trying to change it.
    I am very lucky that I have very acid soil so mine are all blue,  except the white ones and a Vanilla Fraise. 
    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • ViewAheadViewAhead Posts: 866
    I do try to grow things that want my conditions.  Given no restraints, I'd have a garden full of blue hydrangeas, delphiniums, and hostas.  In reality ...

    Ahh well!  A girl can dream ...  B)
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