It grows best in a well-drained, enriched soil with good moisture, but will also tolerate dry soils once established. Varieties of oakleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia), which grow in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 5 through 9, can reach between 8 and 12 feet tall and wide. Its 9” long flowers bloom for 4-8 weeks from early to mid-summer starting out with a white panicle, turning to pink and then the beautiful red color. Roses That Grow Well in Hot Humid Weather, North Carolina State University: Oakleaf Hydrangea, University of Illinois Extension: Oakleaf Hydrangea, University of California Sonoma County Master Gardeners: Hydrangea Quercifolia, Georgia Gold Medal Shrub Winners: Alice Oakleaf Hydrangea, Alabama Cooperative Extension System: Two Veteran Nurserymen Receive State Honors for Service to Alabama Nursery and Landscape Industry, U.S. Department of Agriculture: New Hydrangea Cultivars for Landscape Gardens. USDA Zones. In spring, oak-shaped leaves are followed by summer’s white-panicled flowers. 9317. The stems are very strong and hold the flowers upright creating a beautiful and sturdy plant. Oakleaf Hydrangeas have a special place in gardens, but many do not know how and when to prune these plants due to lack of information on the network. Gatsby Gal Oakleaf hydrangea Hydrangea quercifolia. Hardy in zones 5-9 and should be winter protected in zone 5. Like most hydrangeas, oakleaf requires a location with some sun and well-draining soil to thrive. “Ruby Slipper’s” white flowers turn pale pink quickly, and then deepen to a darker rose color. Named “Snowflake,” this shrub reaches an equal height and spread of 8 feet and offers a longer bloom season than other cultivars. Oakleaf Hydrangea is a deciduous shrub that may grow to 8 feet. Heart Throb™ Hydrangea. Oakleaf hydrangeas tend to like a well-drained soil that is organically enriched. ‘Semmes Beauty’ Oakleaf Hydrangea. While most hydrangeas do best in shade, varieties of Hydrangea paniculata prefer sunny spots. She is also a former mortgage acquisition specialist for Freddie Mac in Atlanta, GA. ‘Pee Wee’ is noted for its compact size in relation to most other quercifolia hydrangeas growing 3-4’ tall and 3-4’ wide. Native to the southeastern United States, and hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness zones 5 through 9, oakleaf hydrangea adapts better to different climates than the recognizable bigleaf hydrangea with mophead blooms. These floriferous beauties are used extensively in landscape design as colorful accents or specimens, natural hedges and buffers, or in groupings in landscape borders and home foundation plantings. Those in full sun often burn and require extra watering. It is a larger oak leaf hydrangea growing 5-8’ tall and 5-8’ wide. This hydrangea boasts its multi-season characteristics from flowers to foliage to bark. It’s hardiness range is from zones 5-9. Oakleaf hydrangea fans may prefer ‘Pee Wee’ (Hydrangea quercifolia ‘Pee Wee’). If you have space for only one new plant in your garden, the oak leaf hydrangea should be at the top of your list. They turn from bright white to a blend of white and pink. However, many gardeners prefer the Oakleaf because of its multicolored blooms. It has beautiful fall color with the panicles fading out from white to pink in late summer and the foliage turning to a deep red and bronze color through the fall. Plants can lose significant numbers of flower buds or die to the ground in harsh winters (temperatures below -10 degrees F), thus respectively impairing or totally destroying the bloom for the coming year. The cumulative effect is simply stunning! Hydrangea ‘Sikes Dwarf’ is best suited in a well-drained, moist and slightly acidic soil and is considered to be a low maintenance shrub. Perfect for shady shrub borders as well as the woodland or cottage garden. Sometimes pruning will encourage more flowers on older plants or if the hydrangea was planted in the incorrect area reducing its size might be necessary. Bigleaf hydrangea prefers morning sun and afternoon shade. Unique Foliage and Blooms Make Spring-to-Fall Appeal Why Alice Oakleaf Hydrangeas?One of the largest of the Oakleaf varieties, the Alice Oakleaf Hydrangea is made unique by its month-to-month visual interest. Hydrangea ‘Pee Wee’ has a beautiful, conical shaped white flower that comes into bloom during June and July and fades to a pink later in the season. The leaves turn red or purple in the late fall. Make sure the hydrangea is planted the same level as it was in the pot. But even the most green-thumbed of us can be left wondering why our hydrangeas didn’t bloom and—though we hate to admit it—why our Northern neighbors’ hydrangeas are so much more hearty. “Munchkin’s” flowers open white, as all oakleaf varieties do, and gradually turn pink with age. Generally disease and insect free, these hydrangea thrive in … . While Hydrangea paniculata likes full sun, it also does well in part shade. Hydrangea quercifolia 'Munchkin' SKU. Oakleaf hydrangea is a flowering deciduous shrub with white flowers and distinctive leaves shaped like those of an oak tree. Medium-Sized Varieties One of the most popular oakleaf hydrangeas was introduced in 1971 when nurseryman Eddie Aldridge patented a cultivar that had double flowers. Between the cloud-like blooms and its beautiful, dark green leaves, picture-perfect hydrangea bushes are a calling card of summer. When talking about choices in hydrangeas it can quickly become an overwhelming topic. It is also a good choice for a shrub border. Native to the American Southwest, oak leaf hydrangeas are fast becoming popular. Hydrangea macrophylla, Hydrangea paniculata, Hydrangea quercifolia, Hydrangea serrata, Mophead Hydrangeas, Lacecap Hydrangeas, Mountain Hydrangeas, Oakleaf Hydrangeas Deservedly popular, Hydrangeas are easy-care, long-lived, deciduous shrubs with magnificent flowers which show off in gardens, containers or in vases around our living areas. The exciting thing though is that there are so many choices and there’s a fantastic hydrangea for every garden. Its hardiness range is from zones 5 to 9 and is overall a low maintenance plant. With more than 30 available oakleaf hydrangea cultivars, you can select the perfect specimen to complement any size garden. Head into your kitchen and you can whip up a simple (and chemical … ‘Alice’ is a good plant choice as a large specimen or accent plant in a foundation planting or near patios. Noted for being a small oakleaf, ‘Ruby Slippers’ is a compact plant with an upright shape making it a good choice in a small landscape. Oak leaf hydrangeas are known for their multi-season interest and ‘Pee Wee’ is no exception. Macrophylla, arborescens, quercifolia, paniculata, mopheads, lacecaps, climbers, blue flowers, pink flowers… Good golly molly the choices are endless! Oakleaf hydrangeas come in two forms – single blossom and double blossom. Flowers become rose-pink in fall and leaves turn deep red-bronze. It’s smaller stature makes it a good choice for a foundation planting  or in an area where space is a consideration. In many areas, they dry right on the plant in fall and stay looking good through most of the winter. It makes a great plant for container gardening bringing great texture and color to the patio or porch and as a cut flower fills the home with fabulous summer color. For planting, dig a large hole approximately two feet across and one foot deep. Rating: 90 % of 100. Supplemental watering may be needed during dry/drought conditions. When it comes to hydrangeas bigger isn’t always better. There are very few rules in gardening, but perhaps the most important one is to work within your zone. Luckily, Mother Nature has … “Snow Queen” is similarly sized, but it features two variations on the oakleaf hydrangea theme -- it holds its single-flowered panicles more upright than other selections and it can handle sunnier sites. This variety of oak leaf grows 2-4’ tall and 2-4’ wide having has smaller leaves and smaller flower panicles than the species. The oakleaf hydrangea is a beautiful variety that has white flowers and is available in both dwarf and full-growing cultivars. Great accent or border. Hydrangea macrophylla, colloquially referred to as bigleaf hydrangeas are the most common. Tan-brown exfoliating bark is attractive in winter. It grows 3.5’ tall and 5’ wide. Within those species are hundreds of varieties of hydrangeas which would take a lifetime to review and discuss. It prefers moist, well-drained soi… Malone reports that this plant is the only hydrangea on the list of “Top Plants for Sonoma County.”. Too much moisture will cause root rot. Oakleaf hydrangea information tells you that these shrubs can grow in shady areas, making them more versatile garden plants. Learn More. Choosing plants that grow and thrive in your particular climate is the very first step toward having a beautiful garden . Individual florets within its panicles are densely packed, which may make branches droop when this shrub is in full bloom. ... Related Plants. During the winter months it can be appreciated for its “paper-like” bark. Here is a list of cold hardy Hydrangea varieties that will grow in USDA Planting Zone 4, where temperatures drop to as low as 30 below 0 F in winter. They could actually be considered “self-changers” as they naturally change their colors during blooming time which is really fun to watch. Uses in the landscape include a mass hedge, shrub border, or specimen plant. In 2010, gardeners with small growing areas welcomed two dwarf oakleaf hydrangea introductions. Other names you might have heard include Garden hydrangea, florists hydrangea, and French hydrangea, because chances are the flowers you find at a florist shop or grocery store are bigleaf hydrangeas. To narrow the scope let’s take a closer look and review a few of the oakleaf hydrangeas (quercifolia) which are a very popular type of hydrangea. Oakleaf hydrangeas are not one of the types of hydrangeas that can be changed from blue to pink or pink to blue. The species typically reach feet tall and wide in size, while some selections including H. quercifolia ‘Alice’ can reach 12 feet tall and wide in the right setting. The parent plant of this Georgia Gold Medal shrub grows on the University of Georgia campus. Colorful blooms give way to fall tones that wow, whether you use your Alice as a foundation planting or eye-catching border near your patio or street. Single blossom varieties include ‘Snow Queen,’ ‘Alice,’ and the dwarf-sized ‘PeeWee.’ Double blossom varieties such as ‘Snowflake’ have multiple florets and boast the longest bloom season. Fall foliage color has red, burgundy and purple shades and the faded flowers dry and hold on the plant during the winter months. Most people buy hydrangeas when they are blooming, but spring or fall is the best time to set them out. Its name (hydrangea oakleaf) comes from the leaves being shaped like oak leaves which gives this plant some very nice character. Oakleaf Hydrangeas (also known as Hydrangea quercifolia) are native to the US. So, if you’re … It is prized for its long-lasting flowers and its beautiful fall foliage colors. Pruning too late in the season can eliminate flowers for the following year. Its foliage and blooms extend all the way to the ground and it tends to sucker less frequently from the roots compared to some of the oakleaf hydrangeas. Plants, The blooms make excellent cut flowers for display in the home and also provide a nice fragrance. It will tolerate full sun to partial shade and is hardy in zones 5-8. 5 - 9. Part Shade to Shade. Munchkin Oakleaf Hydrangea. They have long, cone-shaped flowers and their large, broadly lobed leaves put on a show in the fall. Oakleaf hydrangea ‘Snowflake’ (Hydrangea quercifolia ‘Snowflake’) is a variety that has a spreading habit and moderate growth rate. These more sun tolerant native hydrangea shrubs are fast growing and produce an abundance of large, cone-shaped flowers up to 14 inches long on some varieties. The Difference Between Wild Oakleaf Hydrangea & Alice? Make sure to consider the appropriate location based on soil type and mature size of plant when choosing a planting area. If there are weak or winter-damaged branches it is ok to prune those areas. A popular cultivar of this plant, called 'Snow Queen,' can be grown in USDA plant hardiness zones 5 through 9. Oakleaf hydrangea. Make sure any pruning is done right after flowering is finished. Light requirements for this plant are full sun to part shade. It was developed in 1998 as a hybrid from hydrangea ‘Snow Queen’ and ‘Pee Wee’ and one of the first hydrangeas to be introduced from the United States. Basically, there are four species of hydrangeas, macrophylla, quercifolia, arborescens and paniculata. If any pruning is to be done the timing is important. The oakleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia) is a variety that deer rarely browse. The bark of the plant peels and exudes a dark brown color. Within this category, there are three types. A pyramidal cluster of white blooms matures in the late spring and summer, turning purple … ; Varieties of smooth hydrangea (Hydrangea arborescens, USDA zones 3 through 9), also called wild hydrangea, only reach 3 to 5 feet tall and wide. Noteworthy is “Alison’s” outstanding burgundy fall foliage. Use this deer repellent recipe. Hydrangeas are easy to grow in well-drained soil, which should contain plenty of organic matter or humus. Both shrubs reach an average equal height and spread of only 4 feet, which also makes them candidates for patio pot culture. For larger gardens that are not overwhelmed by tall shrubs, “Alice” makes a stunning accent. The leaves are sturdy as well and able to withstand strong winds and sun and the fabulous fall color of scarlet-burgandy is a must see! Fall foliage coloring is a welcome sight to see as its oak shaped leaves turn many shades of red. This dwarf hydrangea is a showstopper in the oakleaf family. Hardy in zones 5-9, they require little care beyond the basics. While there are many varieties of hydrangeas to choose from, the oakleaf hydrangea is always a popular pick; their cone-shaped blooms grow naturally in the woods of the Deep South and, during the fall, their leaves turn rich shades of red, orange, and maroon. Named after the shape of its beautiful leaves, it produces a profusion of magnificent grapes of creamy-white flowers, up to 12 in. Tags: This mini oakleaf grows 4 feet tall and 3 feet (around a meter) wide. With an equal height and spread of 15 feet, its cone-shaped flower clusters may be longer than 12 inches. Its superior disease resistance makes this shrub a low-maintenance choice for beginning gardeners. Hydrangea. Oakleaf hydrangea is truly a majestic shrub. Oakleaf hydrangeas are very particular about soil moisture and don’t like to have “wet feet”. 'Cityline Mars' Hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla 'CitylineMars') A picotee petal adds a little bling … Other Oakleaf Hydrangea Varieties 'SNOWFLAKE' This is a very special Oakleaf hydrangea because the blooms appear to be double (technically they are referred to as "multiple florets", but I'm going to call them "double."). Oakleaf Hydrangeas can even grow in dry soil, so you don't have to constantly water your plants. Most selections have large clusters of white flowers in summer. Buy Online. Oakleaf Hydrangea . The showy blooms fade to shades of pink or red before drying to beige. In November and December, when most other deciduous plants have shed their leaves, the oakleaf hydrangea remains fully clothed in stunning deep red to purple leaves that linger well into winter. ‘Sikes Dwarf’ is another smaller version of the oak-leaved hydrangea that has a compact form and a rounded shape. Hyrangea quercifolia 'Semmes Beauty' Shrub border w/ oak-like foliage, great fall color, and long blooming time. For a larger shrub, grow the Tardiva Hydrangea, which forms a spectacular upright shrub to as much as 15 feet, with very large pointed flower bunches at the ends of all the branches. Oakleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia) is a native plant that delights gardeners with four seasons of distinct features. Additionally, the unique leaf on the shrub provides an excellent fall feature when it turns to hues of red, orange yellow and burgundy. Tolerant of varying soil types, oakleaf hydrangea performs well as an understory shrub, where it receives dappled sunlight under the canopy of larger trees. A newcomer to the market in 2010 is Hydrangea ‘Ruby Slippers’. Sara Malone, Sonoma County master gardener, notes that oakleaf hydrangea thrives in Mediterranean climates, such as those in California. Light Needs. Oakleaf hydrangeas will grow in full sun to part shade and might benefit from some afternoon shade in hot climates. Native to the United States, Hydrangea quercifolia (Oakleaf Hydrangea) is a very handsome and versatile deciduous shrub which provides a spectacular show all year round. Commonly known as Oakleaf Hydrangea, this charming shrub joins the unique spear-like blooms of Panicle hydrangea with broad lobed foliage for which it’s named. Hydrangea ‘Alice’ is one of the few hydrangeas that is native to the United States (H. arborescens being the other one) and is noted for its large, arching flowers that can grow up to 14” long. “Harmony” is another 10-foot-tall oakleaf hydrangea. Dwarf hydrangea varieties are plentiful, each echoing the beauty and style of their larger counterparts. Large, dense 6 to 8 inch long clusters of white flowers are held upright above the dark green oak leaf shaped foliage. Shrubs. With names that hint at their flower color and size, “Ruby Slippers” and “Munchkin” are plants that feature the desired qualities of their larger relatives, but in compact form. The University of Connecticut gives this vigorous oakleaf hydrangea cultivar the distinction of being the largest. Some varieties, like the Fire & Ice Hydrangea and the Sunday Fraise Hydrangea turn pink and red by late summer, so they bring early color to the garden. From compact, dwarf types to large landscape specimens, varieties like the following ensure there's one for you: After studying botany and microbiology at Clemson University, Blackstone was hired as a University of Georgia Master Gardener Coordinator. This hydrangea likes a soil that has medium moisture with good drainage and rich organic media. Planting time is not too particular, but may be best to wait until the chance of frost is gone. If planting in the summer ensure that appropriate watering is followed. Within those species are hundreds of varieties of hydrangeas … Hydrangea quercifolia, commonly called Oakleaf Hydrangeas because of their large and handsome oak-shaped leaves, are among the hardiest and best hydrangeas varieties to grow in the South. Most hydrangeas really don’t need pruning so it’s best to just let them do their thing. When you start growing oakleaf hydrangeas, you need to learn more about oakleaf hydrangea care. When it sheds its colorful leaves in autumn, they reveal cinnamon-colored exfoliating bark that adds texture to the winter garden. Plant in full sun to part shade and make sure there is good drainage as this hydrangea does not like its “feet wet”. “Alison” has the same-sized flower panicles as "Alice," with a height and spread of around 10 feet. Pee Gee Hydrangeas (H. paniculata), and Oak Leaf Hydrangeas (H. quercifolia) are exceptions that can be planted in sunny spots but will still perform well in part shade.Soil should be consistently moist and well-drained. This hydrangea is extremely easy to grow, so you don't have to worry about if you have good soil or not. Sort by: Best Match Product A-Z Product Z-A Price Low-High Price High-Low Reviews High-Low Best Selling The South loves a mophead. This hydrangea is an excellent plant choice for a smaller garden space in a foundation or patio planting and also makes a nice, small hedge. Victoria Lee Blackstone is a horticulturist and a professional writer who has authored research-based scientific/technical papers, horticultural articles, and magazine and newspaper articles. (30 cm), in late spring and early summer. Avoid planting it in hot, dry, exposed sites. One of the most popular oakleaf hydrangeas was introduced in 1971 when nurseryman Eddie Aldridge patented a cultivar that had double flowers. Noteworthy Characteristics. Oakleaf hydrangeas bloom on old wood (meaning last year’s branches) and set their flower buds in late summer or early fall. Basically, there are four species of hydrangeas, macrophylla, quercifolia, arborescens and paniculata. It grows 6 to 10 feet tall and wide and looks striking grown in masses along beds and borders. The most common method of pruning hydrangeas is deadheading (cutting off clusters … Oakleaf Varieties for Every Garden Size As oakleaf hydrangea's popularity grows, so do the varieties available to you. Make sure to follow a regular watering pattern until the plant is fully established. Alice is a beautiful hydrangea  most noted for its large, arching white panicles  the bloom from June all the way through July. Culture: Most Hydrangeas perform best when planted in dappled or afternoon shade. 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