‘Lady in Red’ Hydrangea – Producing Blue Flowers

Q: Why is my ‘Lady in Red’ hydrangea blue? The flowers were red when I bought it but now they are blue.

A: The flowers of ‘Lady in Red’ are normally pinkish-white but they turn more lavender if the plant is grown in acid soil. Most Georgia soil is acidic, so that explains why yours has turned blue. Combat acidity by adding a cup of garden lime around the plant every year until the original shade of red is reached.