UK compost
What compost for hydrangea 'let's dance rhythmic blue' in the UK?
Hydrangea macrophylla 'Let's Dance Rhythmic Blue'
More about hydrangea 'let's dance rhythmic blue' in the UK
Which compost hydrangea 'let's dance rhythmic blue' needs
For hydrangea 'let's dance rhythmic blue' the mix to buy is peat-free ericaceous (lime-free) compost. For blue flowers, maintain pH 5.0–5.5 with ericaceous compost or aluminium sulphate. For pink, pH 6.0–7.0 is fine. Improve with generous organic matter. In containers, ericaceous compost is the simplest way to achieve and maintain blue blooms.In British garden centres the bagged growing medium is sold simply as “compost” (multipurpose, ericaceous, or loam-based John Innes), which is a different thing from the rotted garden “compost” you make in a heap — for a pot you want the bagged kind.
Peat-free compost
Buy peat-free. The sale of peat compost to home gardeners is being phased out across the UK, and the RHS recommends peat-free on environmental grounds. A good peat-free multipurpose grows hydrangea 'let's dance rhythmic blue' perfectly well; the one habit to change is watering — peat-free dries faster at the surface while still moist below, so check by feel a knuckle deep rather than trusting the look of the top.
Ericaceous or multipurpose?
Hydrangea 'Let's Dance Rhythmic Blue' is a lime-hater: it needs an acidic, lime-free ericaceous compost. In ordinary (limey) multipurpose it slowly yellows between the leaf veins as it locks out iron. Buy a bag labelled "ericaceous", and in a hard-water area water with rainwater where you can, since tap water is slightly alkaline.
For the full recipe, pH and drainage detail (US wording), see the hydrangea 'let's dance rhythmic blue' soil & potting-mix guide.
Compost for Hydrangea 'Let's Dance Rhythmic Blue' in the UK — frequently asked questions
What compost should I use for hydrangea 'let's dance rhythmic blue' in the UK?
Use peat-free ericaceous (lime-free) compost. For blue flowers, maintain pH 5.0–5.5 with ericaceous compost or aluminium sulphate. For pink, pH 6.0–7.0 is fine. Improve with generous organic matter. In containers, ericaceous compost is the simplest way to achieve and maintain blue blooms. In UK garden centres this is sold simply as "compost" — the bagged growing medium, not garden-made leaf-mould — so match the description above rather than a brand.
Can I use ordinary multipurpose compost for hydrangea 'let's dance rhythmic blue'?
No — hydrangea 'let's dance rhythmic blue' needs an acidic, lime-free (ericaceous) compost. Standard multipurpose is too limey and will slowly cause yellowing between the leaf veins (lime-induced chlorosis). Buy a bag labelled "ericaceous".
Should the compost be peat-free?
Yes. Sales of peat compost to home gardeners are being phased out in the UK, and the RHS recommends peat-free for environmental reasons. Modern peat-free multipurpose composts grow hydrangea 'let's dance rhythmic blue' perfectly well — they dry a little faster at the surface, so check moisture by feel rather than by the look of the top.
Does hydrangea 'let's dance rhythmic blue' need grit or perlite added?
Not essential, but a couple of handfuls of perlite in the mix improves aeration and guards against overwatering — useful on a cool, damp British windowsill where compost stays wet longer.
What pot and drainage does hydrangea 'let's dance rhythmic blue' need?
Always a pot with drainage holes. Fertile, moisture-retentive, humus-rich loam; pH-sensitive for colour. Stand it on a saucer, empty any water that collects after watering, and never leave the pot sitting in a full outer cover — waterlogged compost in a cool UK room is the commonest cause of root rot.
More hydrangea 'let's dance rhythmic blue' care
See the full hydrangea 'let's dance rhythmic blue' care guide, its UK watering and UK hardiness.