Hydrangea quercifolia/Oakleaf Hydrangea
Oakleaf hydrangeas are quite popular these days, and for very good reasons - because they're large, dramatic, four-season plants that perform well anywhere with little or no care. What's not to like?
It's native from the Carolinas to Florida and Mississippi.
Details
- The popular variety ‘Snow Queen' matures to 12' tall and wide; the 'Snow Flake' shown here is shorter.
- Not only tolerates deep shade but blooms just fine in such sites.
- It also tolerates full sun, with more frequent watering.
- Hardy in Zones 5-9.
- Its leaves are as large as 8" long and wide and turn rich burgendy in the fall.
- Its flowers are 4 to 12" long, open in June, and last 3-4 weeks.
- The bark is exfoliating.
- Grows fast with adequate moisture.
Care
- Definitely drought-tolerant.
- Prune, if you must, right after blooming, but remember that will remove flowers that otherwise would look good for months. Instead, I do minimal renewal pruning (removing one-third of the stems - the oldest - to the ground), and only as needed.
More Great Info in Print
- Hydrangeas for American Gardens
by Michael Dirr - Dirr's Hardy Trees and Shrubs
by the best-known authority on the subject. - Taylor's Guide to Shrubs
is another good one.
Location Matters
I grow these plants in the Washington, D.C. area, Zone 7A. If you've grown them and have comments you'd like to see included here, send 'em along, and tell me where you garden.