Holy hydrangeas! Why they're more colorful this year and how you can get in on the magic

Sometimes, the grass is greener. But how about those hydrangeas? If you're noticing more vibrant colors in your garden, you aren't alone.

Thank the fact that we had a nearly "perfect spring" this year, with a steady increase in temperature, plenty of rain and no random deepfreezes, says Kathleen Strahan, a horticultural educator at Cornell's Westchester Extension.

These "lucky" conditions allowed hydrangea shrubs in the Lower Hudson Valley "a lot of time to prepare their buds" for a colorful spring show.

Last year's El Nino weather also may have had an impact on the growing season, providing gardeners with a wet fall and a much milder winter.

"We are currently 'ENSO Neutral'," Strahan explained. "This means we are on the perfect downswing of El Niño and upswing of La Niña."

How do hydrangeas get their color?

There are multiple factors that can contribute to a flower's coloring, the Library of Congress wrote for their "Everyday Mysteries" blog, two big components being anthocyanins and carotenoids. Those plant pigments are responsible for giving petals their own personal palette — but there are other factors in play as well.

The amount of stress a plant endures, light received, temperature and pH level of the soil all have an impact.

When it comes to hydrangeas, pH level is a big deal.

And more rain can contribute to those levels. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, rain is typically on the more acidic side, at about a pH of just under 6. Acid rain can range between a pH of 5 and 5.5, but it can be as low as 4 in the northeast.

"When pH levels are lower, more acidic, you get that lovely blue color" for hydrangeas, Strahan said.

How to change your hydrangea's colors

According to the Old Farmer's Almanac, and the Victorian language of flowers, hydrangeas symbolize "gratitude for being understood, frigidity and heartlessness."

But hydrangeas are anything but frigid. Ranging in hue from classic white and cool blue to hot pink, the shrub is known for its colorful petals that demand attention.

You can adjust the pH of your soil to customize your hydrangea flowers' colors, but the method doesn't work for all cultivars, and it takes time. Plus, white flowers aren't affected. Different types of soil and plants need different nutrients, Strahan said. Many gardeners add amendments to their soil to adjust pH levels and customize their hydrangeas' colors.

The Old Farmer's Almanac says to check the pH of your soil. Blue flowers will thrive in soil that has a pH of less than 5.5, and a pH higher than 6 will result in pink blooms. Your plant should be at least 2 years old before undergoing a pH change.

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What does the Old Farmer's Almanac say about blooms?

You may opt to wait until the fall if you're new to the hydrangea hype — the shrub tends to wilt in extreme heat (and temps in the Lower Hudson Valley have easily topped 90 degrees lately).

The Lower Hudson Valley sits in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b, which sees temps as low -10 to -5 degrees, respectively. According to hydrangea.com, an online retailer that specializes in the shrub, certain hydrangea cultivars can endure temperatures as low as -15 degrees.

"Autumn is the best time to plant hydrangeas, followed by spring planting. Plan to plant in the spring after the last frost or in the fall before the first frost," the Old Farmer's Almanac says. This gives the plant plenty of time to establish healthy roots.

Would-be green thumbs have plenty of time left to enjoy the summer growing season, Strahan said.

"Weather patterns won't really get crazy until November," she said. "You can still plant your summer zucchini, squashes, vegetables in the hot weather."

It's also a great time to start planning your fall gardening. Strahan recommended plants such as ornamental kale, marigolds and Black Eyed Susan.

Just remember one thing as you enjoy summer gardening for now, Strahan said: "Make sure your plants get plenty of water with this heat."

Is your garden ablaze with color? Send us your photos!

Send us your photos for the chance to be featured in a gallery highlighting local gardens. Westchester, Rockland and Putnam readers can submit online via bit.ly/lohudthroughyoureyes.

Ashley Fontones is the Emerging Audiences Editor at The Journal News and lohud.com. Got an idea for a poll or a story? Email her at afontones@lohud.com.