Oakleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia) is a low-maintenance deciduous shrub native to the Southeastern U.S. It typically grows 4 to 8 feet tall and wide, although dwarf varieties stay more compact at 3 to 4 feet tall and wide. The large, deeply lobed, dark green leaves resemble the shape of oak leaves, turning shades of red, purple, yellow, and orange in the fall.
Are they flowers…or sepals?
Oakleaf hydrangea bear spectacular flowers held on large upright cones called panicles, which can reach an impressive 12 inches long. The flowers emerge white in summer, turn pink in fall, and then morph to a tan color in winter as they age. However, oakleaf hydrangea flowers can be slightly deceptive: what look like petals to us are actually sepals, or modified leaves, which surround a small true flower at the center. Nonetheless, the dramatic flower heads make striking cut flowers, which can also be dried for use in arrangements year-round.
How to grow and care for oakleaf hydrangea
Oakleaf hydrangea are considered tough plants that are not too finicky.
- Plant in full sun to part shade. Dappled shade is ideal, especially if you live in a hot summer location.
- Provide low water; more in the summer, especially if planted in full sun.
- Plant in rich, well-draining soil amended with compost.
- Prune after bloom to shape and stimulate growth. Because the flowers bloom on old wood (buds set from the previous season), pruning or shaping should take place after flowering in late summer.
- Apply a layer of mulch to keep the shallow roots cool and moist.
- Feed in early spring with organic, slow-release fertilizer.
Recommended varieties
The straight species, Hydrangea quercifolia, is lovely, as are the many common varieties shown below.
- ‘Gatsby Moon’ produces exceptionally full cones of blooms with more tightly packed flowers than most other varieties. This variety grows 6 to10 feet tall and wide.
- ‘Snow Flake’ has more sepals per flower than most varieties, giving the impression of full, double blooms. This variety grows 4 to 6 feet tall and wide
- ‘Snow Queen’ closely resembles the wild oakleaf hydrangea but with showier blooms. This variety grows 4 to 6 feet tall and 6 to 8 feet wide
- ‘Alice’ is another popular variety, growing to 5 to 8 feet tall and wide and bearing long-lasting flowers.
- ‘Pee Wee’ and ‘Sikes Dwarf’ stay more compact. Pee Wee grows to around 4 to 6 feet tall and 3 feet wide, while Silkes Dwarf grows up to 4 feet tall and wide.
- ‘Ruby Slippers’ reaches 3 to 4 feet tall and wide and has blooms that turn deep red in the fall.
- ‘Munchkin’ is even smaller at 3 feet tall and wide.