Ask Gerry

I've purchased hydrangeas two were blue one pink and one white the following year all plants just turned pink. I was told it is the soil, but if you go down to Clonakilty you will see pink hydrangea beside a blue hydrangea next to a beautiful purple hydrangea growing wild how is this the case. an old man told me to take up one of my hydrangeas which we did and bury old iron chains and horseshoes and this would insure the blue colour we are yet to find out . It has just started to leaf.

I planted a small Acer earlier this year but had to lift as leaves were curling and falling off. Slow drainage in area planted and clay soil. Small garden and nowhere else to plant. To improve drainage could I dig a large hole (with digger), fill with stones, then topsoil? Area is beside a wall with main road on the other side. Will water drain under road hardcore?