It grows 5 to 8 feet tall and wide and is noted for its arching, 10- to 14-inch-wide, large panicles or blooms. They originate from the lower southeastern United States where they are found growing along sandy stream banks. It is easy to see where the Oakleaf Hydrangea gets its name. Within those species are hundreds of varieties of hydrangeas which would take a lifetime to review and discuss. As the blooms begin to fade at the end of summer, they cast a purple to pink hue. It is a larger oak leaf hydrangea growing 5-8’ tall and 5-8’ wide. Light requirements for this plant are full sun to part shade. Oak leaf hydrangeas are known for their multi-season interest and ‘Pee Wee’ is no exception. Both shrubs reach an average equal height and spread of only 4 feet, which also makes them candidates for patio pot culture. ‘Sikes Dwarf’ is another smaller version of the oak-leaved hydrangea that has a compact form and a rounded shape.

Named “Snowflake,” this shrub reaches an equal height and spread of 8 feet and offers a longer bloom season than other cultivars. This dwarf hydrangea is a showstopper in the oakleaf family. Copyright Leaf Group Ltd. // Leaf Group Lifestyle. 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. One of the most popular oakleaf hydrangeas was introduced in 1971 when nurseryman Eddie Aldridge patented a cultivar that had double flowers. If any pruning is to be done the timing is important. As the flowers dry, they take on a purple to pink hue. The 8-inch-long, deep green, oak-like leaves cast shades of maroon and bronze in fall. “Munchkin’s” flowers open white, as all oakleaf varieties do, and gradually turn pink with age. Plants, They originate from the lower southeastern United States where they are found growing along sandy stream banks. Most people do not realize that there are five main types of hydrangeas. Oakleaf hydrangeas will grow in full sun to part shade and might benefit from some afternoon shade in hot climates. ‘Alice’ is a good plant choice as a large specimen or accent plant in a foundation planting or near patios. Tags: Malone reports that this plant is the only hydrangea on the list of “Top Plants for Sonoma County.”. Tallest Varieties. When talking about choices in hydrangeas it can quickly become an overwhelming topic. Supplemental watering may be needed during dry/drought conditions. ‘Snowflake’ hydrangea grows best in full sun to part shade. It’s hardiness range is from zones 5-9. Noteworthy is “Alison’s” outstanding burgundy fall foliage. Planting time is not too particular, but may be best to wait until the chance of frost is gone. ‘Snow Queen’ grows best in USDA Zones 5 to 9. 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. Uses in the landscape include a mass hedge, shrub border, or specimen plant. Make sure the hydrangea is planted the same level as it was in the pot. It grows 3.5’ tall and 5’ wide. She is also a former mortgage acquisition specialist for Freddie Mac in Atlanta, GA. 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. 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. Oakleaf hydrangeas are not one of the types of hydrangeas that can be changed from blue to pink or pink to blue. “Ruby Slipper’s” white flowers turn pale pink quickly, and then deepen to a darker rose color. A tremendous advantage of the Oakleaf is that it can thrive in much dryer locations than its cousins. Oakleaf hydrangeas are very particular about soil moisture and don’t like to have “wet feet”. It’s smaller stature makes it a good choice for a foundation planting  or in an area where space is a consideration. Flowering Shrubs That Can Take the Full Sun→. Make sure to follow a regular watering pattern until the plant is fully established. 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. 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.

If there are weak or winter-damaged branches it is ok to prune those areas. 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. The Difference Between Wild Oakleaf Hydrangea & Alice? Oakleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia) is a native plant that delights gardeners with four seasons of distinct features. They could actually be considered “self-changers” as they naturally change their colors during blooming time which is really fun to watch. They grow best in full sun to part shade and are ideal as a fresh cut flower or used in a dried arrangement. Most have large, fragrant flowers. Make sure any pruning is done right after flowering is finished. 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. The University of Connecticut gives this vigorous oakleaf hydrangea cultivar the distinction of being the largest. 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. Snowflake’ hydrangea grows best in full sun to part shade.

Frost-tolerant, they withstand periods of below-freezing temperatures but without sacrificing their blooms.

Oakleaf Hydrangeas | Hydrangea quercifolia. 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. With more than 30 available oakleaf hydrangea cultivars, you can select the perfect specimen to complement any size garden. 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. “Alison” has the same-sized flower panicles as "Alice," with a height and spread of around 10 feet. Oakleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia) bloom best in areas with hot summers. The leaves can be 4" X 4" or they can be a huge 10" X 10." This hydrangea likes a soil that has medium moisture with good drainage and rich organic media. Oakleaf hydrangeas bloom on old wood (meaning last year’s branches) and set their flower buds in late summer or early fall. The pyramidal panicles feature pure white flowers that emerge in June to last several weeks, gradually fading to pink and brown by late summer. Shrubs. Oakleaf hydrangea ‘Alice’ grows best in full sun to part shade in well-drained, nutrient-rich soil. (Hydrangea 'Pee Wee', 'Sikes Dwarf' and 'Alice' photos from Missouri Botanical Garden. It will tolerate full sun to partial shade and is hardy in zones 5-8. The blooms make excellent cut flowers for display in the home and also provide a nice fragrance. ... Oakleaf Hydrangea. 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. In 2010, gardeners with small growing areas welcomed two dwarf oakleaf hydrangea introductions. In addition, hydrangea leaves can vary from bigleaf to oakleaf types that display bright colors during the fall. Learn which plants thrive in your Hardiness Zone with our new interactive map! This variety of oak leaf grows 2-4’ tall and 2-4’ wide having has smaller leaves and smaller flower panicles than the species. Sara Malone, Sonoma County master gardener, notes that oakleaf hydrangea thrives in Mediterranean climates, such as those in California. It is also a good choice for a shrub border. A newcomer to the market in 2010 is Hydrangea ‘Ruby Slippers’. Oakleaf hydrangea ‘Alice’ (Hydrangea quercifolia 'Alice') is a deciduous shrub that has an upright, rounded and broad habit. Its name (hydrangea oakleaf) comes from the leaves being shaped like oak leaves which gives this plant some very nice character. Fine Gardening: Oakleaf Hydrangea 'Snowflake' Fine Gardening: Oakleaf Hydrangea 'Snow Queen' Missouri Botanical Garden: Oakleaf Hydrangea 'Alice' Oakleaf hydrangea is the most drought tolerant type of hydrangea shrub. To help you find the right hydrangea for your home and garden, we’ve outlined the five main types of hydrangeas and their unique and distinguishing factors including growing conditions, flower shapes, and different flower colors. Fall foliage coloring is a welcome sight to see as its oak shaped leaves turn many shades of red. Is an Oakleaf Hydrangea the Same as a Kyushu Hydrangea? Macrophylla, arborescens, quercifolia, paniculata, mopheads, lacecaps, climbers, blue flowers, pink flowers… Good golly molly the choices are endless! The parent plant of this Georgia Gold Medal shrub grows on the University of Georgia campus. The oak leaf hydrangea has foliage similar to oak trees. Oakleaf hydrangea ‘Snowflake’ (Hydrangea quercifolia ‘Snowflake’) is a variety that has a spreading habit and moderate growth rate. If planting in the summer ensure that appropriate watering is followed. The white, double, spring-blooming flowers on ‘Snowflake’ are layered on top of one another to create a vibrant display. Plant in full sun to part shade and make sure there is good drainage as this hydrangea does not like its “feet wet”. Oakleaf hydrangea is the most drought tolerant type of hydrangea shrub. Oakleaf varieties grow best in moist, well-drained soil. They are suitable in USDA Zones 5 to 9. The exciting thing though is that there are so many choices and there’s a fantastic hydrangea for every garden. The bark of the plant peels and exudes a dark brown color. This hydrangea boasts its multi-season characteristics from flowers to foliage to bark. The deeply lobed, matte green foliage produces striking shades of red and purple in fall. See more ideas about Oakleaf hydrangea, Hydrangea, Plants. Oakleaf hydrangeas tend to like a well-drained soil that is organically enriched. Noted for their deeply lobed green leaves, oakleaf hydrangea bear dense coneheads that are made up of nickel-sized white bracts. Fall foliage color has red, burgundy and purple shades and the faded flowers dry and hold on the plant during the winter months. Alice is a beautiful hydrangea  most noted for its large, arching white panicles  the bloom from June all the way through July. Make sure to consider the appropriate location based on soil type and mature size of plant when choosing a planting area. All Rights Reserved. Tolerant of varying soil types, oakleaf hydrangea performs well as an understory shrub, where it receives dappled sunlight under the canopy of larger trees. It grows best in a well-drained, enriched soil with good moisture, but will also tolerate dry soils once established. Mopheads struggle in my sandy soil, but the Oakleaf hydrangeas thrive with very little attention. In spring, oak-shaped leaves are followed by summer’s white-panicled flowers. Plant in USDA Zones 5 to 9. Most hydrangeas really don’t need pruning so it’s best to just let them do their thing. Basically, there are four species of hydrangeas, macrophylla, quercifolia, arborescens and paniculata. 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.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.