Bigleaf hydrangeas and Panicle hydrangeas should be spaced 6-12 feet apart. Oakleaf hydrangeas should be spaced 6-8 feet apart when planted.
Hydrangeas should be planted at a spacing equivalent to the width of one adult plant in general (for plants of the same size). You need also add one foot to this figure to allow for a slight gap between the plants. The planting spacing between hydrangeas of different sizes should be equivalent to the diameter of the larger kind.
Following that, we’ll look at how much room is required for the most popular hydrangea species and variations.
How far apart should hydrangea bushes be?
The ideal location also allows the hydrangea to stretch its branches out. Hydrangeas can bloom up to six feet wide in some cases. Before planting, examine the plant’s tag to see what its mature size will be. “You want to ensure there is space for air flow when growing hydrangea,” McEnaney says. Plant hydrangeas at least two feet apart to achieve this. This helps prevent mildew by allowing air to circulate between the plants.
When should you plant oakleaf hydrangeas?
Oakleaf hydrangeas can be produced from cuttings from established shrubs, but they’re more commonly found in three-gallon pots at your local garden center, which can be put right into your yard, according to Zawojski. Planting should be done in the spring, early summer, or early to late fall, according to him. “Do not plant bushes during periods of extreme heat, such as July and August, or January and February,” he advises.
What should I plant in front of oakleaf hydrangea?
Soil Oakleaf hydrangea grows best in moist, organic, fertile, well-drained, slightly acidic soil with a pH of 5.06.5. It is drought resilient once planted, but it does benefit from water in extremely dry conditions. It’s critical to have good drainage. Although the plant prefers damp soil, wet feet are not an option.
Full to moderate shade is fine for this shrub.
It does, however, perform better when exposed to the sun for at least a full day or more, resulting in a richer floral show, stronger stems, and more beautiful autumn foliage.
Some cultivars can tolerate a more sunny location. On the other hand, heavy shadow produces fewer blossoms but larger leaves.
Trimming – Oakleaf hydrangeas require very little pruning, if any at all.
If pruning is required to shape or reduce the size of the shrub, do so soon after the flowers have faded.
Late in the summer, this shrub produces bloom buds for the next year.
To put it another way, it grows on ancient wood.
Pruning at any other time of year will result in the loss of the blossoms for the next year.
Insects This plant is rarely bothered by insects, with the exception of spider mites and aphids.
Deer will nibble on this plant, especially the sensitive, new spring foliage, so use a deer repellent or a physical barrier to protect it.
Propagation – Stem cuttings can be used to propagate the plant. The plant can also be propagated by layering because the branches are low to the ground.
When used as a solitary specimen, a backdrop to smaller shrubs, bulbs, or perennials, a component of a mixed border, a deciduous hedge, or a mass planting, oakleaf hydrangea is a powerful yet elegant shrub.
If oakleaf hydrangeas have a flaw, it’s that their enormous, coarsely textured foliage might be intimidating to a novice gardener. Rest confident that the foliage mixes in beautifully with plants with smaller leaves. Evergreens, for example, with their finer needles and scaly branches, provide a nice contrast. Boxwoods’ more formal round shape and compact, thick leaves contrast nicely with the looser appearance of oakleaf hydrangea. Oakleaf hydrangeas pair well with taller ferns like ostrich or cinnamon ferns, as well as shorter grass-like plants like liriope.
Easy-care The oakleaf hydrangea is particularly beneficial in the landscape because it provides year-round interest. It makes an immediate impact in the spring when its bold, beautiful leaf emerges. In the summer, the dark green foliage contrasts with the huge, long-lasting clusters of creamy white or pink blooms. Many cultivars mature to a medium pink or deep rose color over time. With its rich, deep burgundy/purple foliage that lasts all winter, the oakleaf hydrangea really shines in the fall. Additional interest is provided by the dried tan or light brown flower heads. The flaking tan bark adds a tactile aspect to the white environment in the winter.
An Illustrated Encyclopedia of Hardy Trees and Shrubs by Dirr (Dirr, Michael A., 1997)
“Selection, Pruning, and Care of Hydrangea,” (ext.vt.edu/chesapeake/programs/anr/Pruning) Virginia Cooperative Extension Publication
“Problem-Free Shrubs for Virginia Landscapes,” according to the author. 450-236 (ext.vt.edu/450/450-236/) is a Virginia Cooperative Extension publication.
HORT-84P (ext.vt.edu/HORT/HORT-84/), “Selecting Plants for Virginia Landscapes: Showy Flowering Shrubs,” Virginia Cooperative Extension Publication HORT-84P (ext.vt.edu/HORT/HORT-84/), “Selecting Plants for Virginia Landscapes: Showy Flowering Shrubs,” Virginia Cooperative Extension Publication HORT-84P (
Hydrangea quercifolia, University of Connecticut College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources Plant Database (hort.uconn.edu)
Cooperative Extension of North Carolina State University (plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/all/hydrangea-spp)
Hydrangea Production at Tennessee State University (tnstate.edu/faculty/ablalock/documents/Hydrangea)
Is oakleaf hydrangea a panicle?
If the macrophylla hydrangea is the Diva Queen of the garden, I’d say the oakleaf hydrangea is the King.
Oakleaf hydrangea, Hydrangea quercifolia, is a towering shrub that can grow fairly large over time. Most can reach a height of 6 to 8 feet and a width of 6 feet or more. Some plants, like as Ruby Slippers, have been bred to be dwarf-sized (see below).
The coarse-textured, oakleaf-shaped leaves of this shrub are larger (8+ inches long) than any of the other hydrangea species, giving it a king-like aspect. Oak is called “Quercus” in botanical latin, hence oakleaf hydrangea is Hydrangea quercifolia.
The creamy conical formed panicles can be small (4 inches) to big (12 inches), single or double florets, and tightly packed or loosely held florets, depending on the cultivar.
In my yard, oakleaf hydrangeas bloom sooner (in May) than other hydrangea varieties, and I notice bees and other pollinators swarming about the flowers.
What is the best location to plant a hydrangea?
Learning the basics of how to plant hydrangeas, like most things in your yard, can save you time and money. You may boost your chances of enjoying enormous, colorful hydrangea flowers for years to come by choosing the appropriate spot, getting the soil just right, and planting correctly.
The best time to grow hydrangeas is in the fall, followed by early spring. The goal is to give the shrub plenty of time to develop a strong root system before it blooms. Early morning or late afternoon are the finest times to plant. The cooler hours of the day provide relief from heat exhaustion. Keep new plants well-watered until they have established themselves.
The first step in planting hydrangea shrubs is to figure out where they should go. Hydrangeas are commonly planted in gardens adjacent to houses or fences. This is because hydrangeas prefer the warmth of the early sun to the heat of the afternoon sun. Hydrangeas thrive in a sheltered position with sun in the mornings and shade in the afternoons. This is most common on the north or south sides of your house. Avoid planting immediately beneath trees, as this can result in water and nutrient competition. Winds can rip and harm foliage, as well as ruin flowers.
Hydrangeas thrive in soil with a high content of organic matter. It’s critical to have good drainage. Hydrangeas prefer damp soil, but they cannot stand being waterlogged. Root rot can be caused by soggy, poorly draining soils. Your hydrangeas can perish in a matter of weeks. If your soil is heavy, use plenty of compost before planting to increase the quality of the soil.
Simply drill planting holes 2 feet wider than the root ball when planting hydrangeas. Keep the hole depth constant with the size of the root ball so that your plant sits level with or slightly above the surrounding soil. You can aid promote water drainage away from the plant’s base by making a tiny mound.
Simple propagation procedures can multiply a single hydrangea into a large number of plants. Layering is the greatest way to propagate bigleaf and panicle hydrangeas in the early to mid-summer. All you have to do is complete the following steps:
- Bend a branch down into the trench until the middle of the branch meets the soil (six to 12 inches of branch should extend past the trench).
- The branch will eventually create its own root system and be able to be transplanted to a new spot.
Hydrangeas, both smooth and oakleaf, produce new shoots from underground stems. Simply separate the baby plant from the main plant by digging it up. It can then be moved to a different position.
Which hydrangeas make best hedge?
Panicle hydrangeas (cone-shaped blooms) come in two lovely kinds that reach 6′-8′ x 6′-8′ broad, making them ideal for a privacy hedge. Limelight hydrangea (Hydrangea paniculata ‘Limelight’) features green blooms that fade to pink on aged wood and is adaptable to a wide range of soil conditions.
How do you grow oakleaf hydrangeas?
Oakleaf Hydrangea Care This shrub grows best in full sun or part shade, in a slightly acidic, rich, well-draining soil. It prefers moist soil, therefore a thick layer of mulch over the root zone will assist keep the moisture in the soil.
Why does my oakleaf hydrangea not bloom?
Oakleaf hydrangeas (Hydrangea quercifolia) are prized for their huge clusters of flowers and oak-like leaves. They are endemic to the southeastern United States. These plants are hardy in USDA plant hardiness zones 5 through 9, but they grow slowly and may not blossom the first season. When properly cared for, they bloom quite predictably once established. Inadequate water or poor trimming procedures are the most common causes of a lack of blooms. Both can be easily corrected.