Like humans, flowers change color as they grow older and wiser. It’s one of the most amazing natural transformations that you might get the chance to witness in your surrounding environment. These colors the flowers are changing to are more than just looks. It’s also a way of communicating and adapting to its atmosphere.
While it’s clear that everything changes with time, here are a few specific flowers that change color depending on their age or factors outside of their control.
Hydrangeas
Hydrangeas are the most well-known when it comes to flowers changing with age, but their color is also influenced by the soil they grow in. Acidic (low pH) soils produce blue blooms, while alkaline (high pH) soils turn the same plant’s flowers pink. But over time, blue and pink hydrangeas naturally fade and shift into purples, greens, or dusty hues depending on the plant’s life cycle.
A hydrangea’s unique trait
Aside from responding to the soil’s chemistry, hydrangea blooms also age visibly. As the petals mature, they develop richer or more muted tones. This brings continuous interest to your garden even on regular days.
Morning Glories
As their name suggests, morning glories bloom bright and early. But their color doesn’t stay the same for long. Many varieties open in one shade and gradually fade as the day progresses. You might see a vibrant blue flower in the morning that’s a pale purple or even white by evening.
Why do they change?
It’s all about light exposure and the natural life of the bloom. Morning glories only stay open for a short window of time, so their softening color is a visual cue that the flower is nearing the end of its day.
This subtle shift is a perfect example of flowers changing with age, shifting right before your eyes every day.
Lantana
Lantana is one of the most dramatic examples of color-changing blooms. Each flower cluster contains multiple small florets, and as each floret ages, its color changes. This results in multicolored displays on a single plant. You’ll see yellow flowers turning orange, then red, all in one vibrant bunch.
The science behind a lantana
The shift is beautiful but with a purpose. Young, unpollinated flowers are brighter, signaling pollinators to visit. Once pollinated, the flower changes color to indicate it’s out of commission, guiding bees and butterflies to fresher blooms.
Roses and Hibiscus
While we’ve only been discussing more dramatic flowers, there are some others that deserve attention too. For example, Heirloom roses might open in a blush pink but fade into a silvery-almost-white or richer mauve color as they get older. Tropical hibiscus flowers can do the same, especially in warm climates. They start bright and bold and soften as the sun rises and falls.
What to watch for:
If you’re growing these in your garden, take note of the same bloom over a few days. You’ll often see a subtle but beautiful change in shade, a natural patina that gives older flowers a more vintage look. These elegant changes are part of what makes them such popular choices for spring gardens and thoughtful gestures in Mother’s Day bouquets.
Four O’Clocks and Other Time-Telling Flowers
Some flowers, like Four O’Clocks, open in the late afternoon and can change color as they mature. These plants often produce multiple colors on the same plant like the Lantana. Yellow, pink, red, and sometimes even streaked petals that shift over time.
Why it’s special:
Not only do Four O’Clocks change color with age, but they also shift their behavior based on the time of day - making them more interesting to watch throughout the day. Four o’clocks are like a clock in flower form.
Time To Change
Nature is full of surprises, and few are as magical as flowers changing with age. Hydrangeas, lantanas, roses, hibiscus, four o’clocks - most of these can be found at your local Brooklyn florist shop. Adding these kinds of flowers to your garden or bouquet doesn’t just brighten the space. It adds storytelling to your room and freshens up the place. Flowers are always in motion, just like us.