In USDA hardiness zones 5 to 9, oakleaf hydrangeas (Hydrangea quercifolia) are deciduous plants that survive the winter. They start to bloom in late spring and reach a mature height and width of 6 to 8 feet. Initially white, the blossoms progressively turn pink throughout the course of the summer until turning orange-red in the fall. Divide well-established shrubs while they are dormant in late winter or early spring in warm Mediterranean regions. The divisions could be distributed to friends and neighbors or planted elsewhere in the yard.
Before you divide the shrub, decide where you want to plant it so that you may immediately transplant the divisions. The shrub should be placed where it will get morning or evening sun with afternoon shade. Check the soil’s pH to make sure it is above 7 and alkaline.
With a dirt shovel, create a planting hole that is 2 feet in diameter and 1 feet deep for the hydrangea division. The soil from the hole should be broken up until it is loose and crumbly. If the pH is below 7, mix lime into the backfill soil to raise it.
Divide an 8- to 12-inch piece of stems and roots from the main bush using a sharp garden spade. To cleanly cut the roots, dig the spade into the root mass. Just outside the split clump’s root mass, insert a shovel into the ground. With the shovel, lift the split clump and set it on a sheet of plastic. To protect the soil and roots, pull the plastic sheeting up around the mass of roots. If the clump cannot be promptly replanted, pot it up in a container and keep it wet.
In the freshly prepared planting hole, place the clump with the plastic covering the root mass. Make sure it will rest at the same depth from which it grew previously. If additional soil is required to make the hole shallower, remove the clump from the hole and add it. At the bottom of the hole, tamp the soil down. Slide the plastic sheeting out from underneath the new hydrangea and insert it into the hole.
Around the roots of the hydrangea, uniformly press the backfill earth into the hole. When the bottom third of the hole is filled, gently tamp the earth down over the roots. Fill the hole up more. While backfilling, lightly tamp the ground. After the hole has been filled, water the new hydrangea to help the soil surrounding the roots stabilize.
At the edge of the transplant hole, create a 2- to 3-inch-high ring of earth around the new hydrangea. While keeping it 1 to 2 inches away from the stems, spread 3 inches of mulch over the earth around the hydrangea. For the first two years after planting, give it a weekly watering of once or twice.
Can an oak leaf hydrangea be split?
A hydrangea’s roots shoot can be cut off from the mother plant and planted somewhere to produce a new (and free) hydrangea.
Q: In front of my house, there is a really enormous hydrangea. It receives morning sun and is flourishing. I want to split it in half and move a piece of it to another area of my yard. Can you divide hydrangeas? If so, when would be the ideal time to do it? Do they thrive in the shade?
A: Hydrangeas are an exception to the rule that not many shrubs may be divided like perennial flowers, and they are probably one of the simplest to “create kids” this way. Comparable to splitting a perennial flower, the procedure.
The greatest option is to search for shoots that are poking through the plant’s outermost layer. These shoots typically have their own healthy underground root system at their base a year or two after they first appear.
Sever the stalk with a spade to check for a piece with roots. If you succeed, you will have a young plant that is prepared for replanting.
This type of viable perimeter shoot is common on mature hydrangeas, and it can be dug up and divided. It’s the major method by which hydrangeas increase their range.
Whole hydrangea plants can be pulled up and divided into two or more parts if you don’t notice any shoots or are obtaining portions with no roots.
Look for naturally occurring divisions in the root ball, such as intersections where the main stems are protruding. A wishbone from a turkey can sometimes be separated by simply pulling apart the parts. To divide the plant, you could occasionally require a fork or a shovel.
In either case, you now have two plants to replant once you have two sections with roots connected to each.
Early spring is the ideal time to divide bigleaf hydrangeas, when the stems’ fresh green buds are just beginning to swell and unfold. A few while ago, that was. Mid to late October is an excellent period as well.
Treat divisions like a fresh plant by keeping them continually wet. These divisions’ smaller, weaker roots can’t draw as much moisture from the soil as a mature hydrangea’s large, well-established root system.
Your hydrangea’s placement in the early-morning sun is ideal. The majority of hydrangea varieties thrive in rich, moist soil with good drainage that receives early and afternoon shade.
Although they will live in heavy shade, they might not bloom at all or only slightly. Choose the native smooth hydrangeas, botanically known as Hydrangea arborescens, for heavy shade.
By the way, another question I’ve been getting lately is how hydrangeas will fair after many of their new leaves were destroyed by the almost record-breaking cold weather we experienced the third week of April.
Only the young leaves sustained the harm that I saw. In June, I predict that fresh leaves will emerge and the flower buds will unfold gracefully.
The flower buds weren’t developed enough, in my opinion, for the late cold blast to cause them significant harm.
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How soon can I move my oakleaf hydrangeas?
Consider transplanting if your oakleaf hydrangea has outgrown its existing location. Or perhaps you’re only changing your landscape. Whatever your requirements, don’t let this task overwhelm you. A robust root system and a vigorous oakleaf hydrangea will help it adapt to the move effectively. When your specimen has lost all of its foliage and has gone into dormancy in the fall or early winter, that is the ideal time to transfer it.
When relocating the hydrangea, pick a spot that is well-lit, well-drained, and shielded from strong winds and the afternoon light. These plants like somewhat acidic soils, with a pH tolerance range of roughly 4.5 to 6.5. Give the plant lots of space because it can grow to be about 10 feet tall and 5 feet broad.
- Consider transplanting if your oakleaf hydrangea has outgrown its existing location.
Make a hole that is slightly deeper and twice as wide as the hydrangea’s rootball. If your soil is dense, work some peat moss or compost into the earth from the hole. The additional material can be safely incorporated into the final backfill volume up to 50%.
Prior to dormancy in late summer or early fall, prune the oakleaf hydrangea as usual. If you want to prevent harm to the plant’s branches during the relocation, firmly tie them together with twine. Additionally, this will keep limbs out of your way and make a huge specimen easier to handle.
With your gardening spade, make a circle around the plant, starting about 12 inches from the hydrangea’s base. With each stroke, tuck the blade down and inward toward the rootball to gradually loosen the plant enough to be taken out of the ground.
- Make a hole that is slightly deeper and twice as wide as the hydrangea’s rootball.
- With your gardening spade, make a circle around the plant, starting about 12 inches from the hydrangea’s base.
Put the oak leaf hydrangea in the prepared hole right away. Plant it so that the top of the rootball is a little more than an inch above the soil’s surface. Backfill the hole, pressing firmly as you go to remove any air bubbles.
To thoroughly hydrate the roots and aid in soil stabilization, water the newly transplanted hydrangea slowly and deeply. You probably won’t need to water the plant again until spring because it has gone dormant for the winter. Keep the soil uniformly moist at that time to aid in the new transplant’s establishment.
To assist the oakleaf hydrangea transplant survive the winter, add 3–4 inches of mulch.
Put the oak leaf hydrangea in the prepared hole right away.
A mature oakleaf hydrangea and its rootball can weigh quite a bit. When digging up and relocating the plant, think about getting assistance. A wheelbarrow might well save your life.
Any hydrangea that has been transplanted may have somewhat different bloom color, so be prepared. This is brought on by regional variations in soil conditions that are caused by nature.
Avoid placing the plant under a tree, where there will be fierce competition for nutrients, moisture, and root space. Additionally, it won’t get enough light. Your hydrangea won’t grow well if there isn’t grass in the potential location.
When should hydrangeas be divided?
Consider splitting or dividing the plant if your hydrangeas start to take up more area in the garden. Push the two sections aside to expose the root ball or crown, then divide the bush in half. Use a shovel to compel the parts apart. Remove one piece slowly, preserving as much of the root system as you can. When you notice new growth, add additional topsoil around the parent plant’s root system and continue watering as usual.
How are oak leaf hydrangeas propagated?
The propagation steps are as follows:
- Cut two to four cuttings off the green stem tips of flowerless stems using clean, sharp pruners.
- The lower portion of the cutting should be leaf-free.
- Rooting hormone should be applied to the cutting’s tip.
- Put the cuttings in sterile, wet potting soil.
Can oakleaf hydrangeas withstand complete shade?
It’s like asking me which of my children is my favorite to ask me which plant is my favorite! It’s a hard topic to answer, but since I don’t have to worry about hurting anyone’s delicate little egos, I’d have to say the oakleaf hydrangea is one of my favorite plants (Hydrangea quercifolia). The reason is because this plant is interesting in all four seasons. That is good since it allows me to save time, effort, and money. It rewards me in the spring, summer, fall, and winter once it has established.
The natural Hydrangea quercifolia grows to a height of six to eight feet, occasionally reaching a maximum of ten to twelve feet. The Northern Red Oak, from which it derives its popular name, may be seen in the shape of the enormous, dark green leaves, which also have silvery undersides. It is hardy in zones 5 through 9.
Cone-shaped flowers can reach a length of a foot. Initially white in color, the blossoms eventually take on a pink tinge before turning crimson as the seasons change. Single or double florets are both possible.
Although the spring and summer are lovely and lush, I eagerly await the warm days and cool nights of October and November, when the flowers turn red and the foliage takes on a variety of colours of yellow, orange, red, brown, and burgundy. The leaves last a long time in protected areas before falling to show an uneven branching structure of exfoliating bark in hues of cinnamon. It looks stunning against a white blanket of snow.
Where the summers are hot, oakleaf hydrangeas bloom best, though they like some afternoon shade. It can be planted in full sun if you live in its more northern range. You’ll receive the most stunning fall color and more blooms per square foot of sun exposure.
Unlike its mophead relatives, this shrub can survive drier soil, but it cannot endure damp feet. Plant it on soil that is acidic, moist, well-drained, and has been improved with compost or other organic material. It can be used as a specimen feature in the landscape or as a mass planting in shaded wooded regions.
Despite the rarity of the need for trimming, make sure to do it after blooming and before August. Late summer and early fall are when flower buds for the following year are formed. Old flowers can be deadheaded at any time by simply cutting them off. I prefer to keep the flowers on the shrub through the winter.
Before August, you can cut longer stems if you’re cutting blossoms for floral arrangements. After that, only trim short stems to avoid losing blossoms for the following season.
Oakleaf hydrangeas are comparatively free of pests and diseases. Another benefit, in my opinion, is that plants will continue to appear and function at their best throughout the year without the usage of any chemicals (always a last resort in my book).
Most people undoubtedly know about the double flowering variety called “Snowflake.” Up to a foot long, its creamy white blossoms are present.
“Little Honey” features springtime foliage that is golden, which later turns to chartreuse, green, and stunning burgundy red in the fall.
Oakleaf hydrangeas are a mainstay in my gardens, for sure. They are gorgeous all year round with stunning foliage, lovely flowers, and intriguing bark and are hardy in many regions of the country. They blossom in the shade, are resistant to pests and diseases, and are quite carefree. What more could we expect of a plant like this for our landscapes and gardens?
What occurs if hydrangeas are planted too closely together?
The most often query we receive when building a hedge is, “How far apart should I space my hydrangeas? The answer to this question relies on a number of variables, including the type of hydrangea you’re using, your location, and the style you want to achieve. As a general rule of thumb, focus on the plant’s width first. For instance, Incrediball smooth hydrangeas (seen above) mature to a height and width of 5 feet. As a result, plants can be planted with their centers 5 feet apart such that they will almost touch as they mature.
You might want to think about planting them a little closer if you don’t want to have to wait too long for your hedge to fill up. Plants can grow to their maximum size over a number of years, and in colder climates, this process might take considerably longer. When they are planted closer together, individual plants will eventually touch and overlap. The end product is a beautiful wall of blooms and greenery that is difficult to resist!
Although it may be tempting, be careful not to plant them too closely together. As a result of the restricted airflow caused by their near proximity, disease is more common. Maintain a sufficient distance between plants to allow for airflow and healthy plants (and happy gardeners). On every one of our plant pages, under the “additional information” heading in the “how to grow” tab, are spacing suggestions. You can put Incrediball hydrangeas 3 feet apart if you choose. However, it is recommended that they be planted 3-5 feet apart.
Depending on the plant spacing, you’ll need a certain number of plants for your hedge. To estimate how many plants you need for your area, try using our plant calculator!