Green Hydrangea
Interesting Facts about the Green Hydrangea
Green is not normally a hue associated with naturally colored flowers although there are an amazing variety of them; one of which, the green hydrangea, offers up large mounded heads of green blossoms to present a visual treat in your garden.
Hydrangeas are much loved in gardens. A bush like perennial that typically grows as wide as it does tall, the typical hydrangea plant can reach up to around four feet. Different varieties of the bush acclimate to just about every region of the country. The varieties are remarkably similar in foliage appearance, so it is wise if a particular type of hydrangea is desired to purchase a plant that is in bloom to ensure it is truly what you seek. They can be quite hardy when they are grown in the ideal environments. Hydrangeas require at least four to five hours of sunlight to produce the largest number of blooms as well as to grow to their expected size. Large mounds of multiple blossom heads crown the ends of the stems; their heavy weight threatening to tip the seemingly slender stem to the ground. A sturdy and hardy shrub like plant, the hydrangea is well suited to exhibiting the lovely grandeur of its bloom period.
A variety of lovely colors can be found decorating the hydrangea bush. White, pink and blue are some of the most familiar colors seen in flower gardens and landscapes. What may seem to be an unusual and uncommon color for any type of flower is green. Hydrangea flowers can be green in two different ways. Certain varieties of the plant are designed to bear green blooms; the Limelight produces bright fashionable lime green blossoms, and the Annabelle which sports pure white flowers initially that change to a lovely green after about two weeks of bloom time.
Possible a surprising development in hydrangeas are those which display colors of white, pink or blue for years, and then does an abrupt change of pace and suddenly produces green flowers one year. This phenomenon is particularly common in pink or blue blooms. Many people who have been growing hydrangeas for a considerable time believe that it is age that creates the change in color. Others believe that it is a change in climate that stimulates the plant to produce the green flowers. Any gardening authority will confirm that hydrangeas prefer to be treated to rather consistent weather conditions, which can differ with the varying types of hydrangea plants. Some of them like hot and sunny climates, while others will do well in partial shade. Actually, all hydrangea plants can be grown in an area of the garden that receives sun in the morning and shade in the afternoon. The cooling effects of the shade will enable the blooms of the plant to last longer.
Regardless of the beliefs of the gardener for the phenomenon of the changing green hydrangea, it is known that most plants that unexpectedly begin to sport green blossoms after blooming white, pink or blue previously will return to produce their original colored flowers after a year or two. Oddly enough, the flowers never change into any other color, although some of the blossoms grown in warmer climates may deepen their hues to burgundy or maroon in the heat.
If your plant was originally meant to bear white, blue or pink blooms and you prefer those colors, simply add more fertilizer to your soil around the base of the plant and wait a year or two for those colors to return. And in the meantime, just enjoy. Fun and quirky, the large green flower heads of the hydrangea will definitely make your garden into an interesting conversation piece as many people have never before heard of a green hydrangea.