To ask which of my plants is my favorite is like asking which of my children is my fave! A difficult topic to answer, but since I’m not in danger of hurting sensitive young egos, I’d have to say the oakleaf hydrangea is one of my favorites (Hydrangea quercifolia). The reason for this is that this is a plant that has four distinct seasons of appeal. That appeals to me since it saves me time, energy, and money. It rewards me in the spring, summer, fall, and winter once it has established.
Hydrangea quercifolia is a shrub that grows to be around six to eight feet tall, with a maximum height of ten to twelve feet. The huge, dark green leaves have silvery undersides and resemble the Northern Red Oak, from which it receives its popular name. It can be grown in zones 5 through 9.
Cone-shaped flowers can grow up to a foot in length. The blossoms start out white, then acquire a pink blush before turning red as the seasons pass. Single or double florets might be found.
Although the spring and summer are lovely and lush, I am looking forward to the warm days and cool nights of October and November, when the flowers change red and the foliage takes on a variety of yellow, orange, red, brown, and burgundy hues. In protected areas, the leaves last for a long time before falling to reveal an uneven branching structure of cinnamon-colored peeling bark. The contrast against a snowy white bedspread is breathtaking.
Oakleaf hydrangeas thrive in hotter climates, but they like some afternoon shade. It can be grown in full sun in its northern range. The more sun exposure you get, the more flowers you’ll receive, and the more stunning the fall color will be.
This shrub can survive drier soil than its mophead relatives, but not wet feet. Plant it in acidic, wet, well-drained soil supplemented with compost or other organic matter. It can be used as a specimen feature in the landscape or as a mass planting in shaded wooded regions.
Pruning is rarely essential, although it should be done after the flowers have faded and before August. Late summer and early fall are the best times to plant flower buds for the next year. By simply snipping off old flowers, you can “deadhead” them at any time. I like to leave the blossoms on the plant throughout the winter months so that I may enjoy them.
You can cut longer stems for flower arrangements before August if you’re cutting blossoms for arrangements. After that, only remove short stems to avoid losing next year’s blooms.
Oakleaf hydrangeas are generally pest and disease free. This is another bonus in my eyes because it means that plants will look and perform their best all year long without the need of chemicals (always a last resort in my book).
The double flowered variety ‘Snowflake’ is arguably the most popular. Its creamy white blossoms can reach a length of a foot.
In the spring, the foliage of ‘Little Honey’ turns golden, then chartreuse, then green, with a gorgeous burgundy red fall color.
Oakleaf hydrangeas are a perennial favorite in my yard. They’re lovely all year with stunning leaves, exquisite flowers, and fascinating bark, and they’re hardy in many regions of the country. They’re pest and disease resistant, bloom in the shade, and are very little maintenance. What more could we expect of a plant for our landscapes and gardens?
Where is the best place to plant an oakleaf hydrangea?
Hydrangea Oakleaf Care Plant this shrub in full sun or partial 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.
How many hours of sun does an oakleaf hydrangea need?
The shadiest place in your yard can be bursting with flowers since these wonderful beauties can grow in complete shade, unlike other species of hydrangeas that require at least three to four hours of sun every day to bloom successfully.
When do hydrangeas bloom?
The blooming season of hydrangeas is determined by the kind and cultivar, as well as your planting zone. The majority of new growth hydrangeas form buds in early summer and bloom in the spring, summer, and early fall. Hydrangeas may stop blooming in the middle of summer in hot locations, but they will rebloom in the fall.
How do you cut back hydrangeas?
Hydrangea plants do not require pruning when allowed ample growing room in the garden. All that is required is the clearance of dead wood on a regular basis.
Do you need to deadhead hydrangeas?
Hydrangeas can be deadheaded to keep them blooming well into the fall. Hydrangeas produce wonderful cut flowers, so you don’t have to wait till the blossom wilts. Allow those early autumn blooms to fade on their own. Close to your freeze date, you don’t want to encourage fresh development.
How do you control hydrangea color?
Hydrangeas are unique in that their color may be controlled. Keep in mind, however, that not all hydrangea varieties may be color-adjusted. H. macrophylla, or bigleaf hydrangeas, respond to changes in soil pH. Hydrangeas can absorb aluminum thanks to a low soil pH, which gives the blossoms a lovely blue hue. Reduce the pH of your soil by adding sulfur or peat moss to encourage blue hydrangea flowers. During the growth season, you can also apply more aluminum sulfate to the soil. When you add ground limestone to raise the pH, pink and scarlet blooms pop.
A soil pH test might help you fine-tune the color of your hydrangeas. To avoid causing damage to the plant, keep the pH below 7.5. All hydrangeas will naturally fade in the fall, no matter what alterations you’ve made. Don’t worry, the plant will bloom again in the spring with fresh, bright blooms.
Can hydrangeas grow in shade?
Hydrangeas prefer dappled or occasional shade, but won’t blossom in direct sunlight. It’s not so much an issue of whether they favor sun or shade, but rather how much sun do hydrangeas require. Your hydrangeas will require more sunlight as you move further north in your garden. Six hours of sunlight every day is a good rule of thumb. Hydrangeas grown in the south, on the other hand, can thrive with only three hours of sunlight.
Can hydrangeas grow in full sun?
Hydrangeas thrive in the morning sun, but not so much in the scorching afternoon sun. For these beauties, partial shade in the late afternoon is great.
Can you grow hydrangeas in pots?
Even if you don’t have enough space in your garden to cultivate hydrangeas, learning how to grow hydrangeas in a pot allows you to enjoy these lovely blooms. As long as you follow the principles of hydrangea care, the process is pretty simple. Choose a pot that is at least 18 inches in diameter to accommodate the mature size of your hydrangea. Look for non-porous pots to assist hydrangeas maintain a consistent moisture level. Excess water will be able to drain adequately through drainage holes. Dwarf hydrangeas like Little Lime, Mini Penny, and Buttons ‘n Bows are good choices.
How do you keep hydrangeas from wilting?
Watering in the mornings can help keep your plants from wilting. Some hydrangea cultivars are unable to withstand the heat. They’ll wilt a little in the afternoon heat, no matter how much water you give them. Mulch in a thick layer can help retain moisture and keep the soil cool. You shouldn’t be concerned if your hydrangeas bloom again as the day progresses. It’s preferable to have a little wilting in the middle of the day than to overwater and drown your hydrangeas.
What kind of light does an oakleaf hydrangea need?
Oakleaf hydrangeas are low-maintenance plants that only require the following:
- Site and sunlight – Oakleaf hydrangeas thrive in broad sun to moderate shade in northern climates. Give them morning sun and protection from powerful afternoon rays in southern zones.
- Rich, well-drained, somewhat acidic soil is ideal for oakleaf. Take the time to amend your soil around planting time if you live in a region with a lot of clay. Pennington Acts Quickly Gypsum aids in water penetration and drainage, as well as loosening compacted soil and encouraging proper root growth. Pennington UltraGreen Plant Starter with Vitamin B1 also aids in the reduction of transplant shock.
- Water – Oakleaf hydrangeas thrive in soil that is evenly moist but never saturated. Thoroughly water the soil, then check it by hand before watering again. Avoid overwatering to avoid root rot. Wait a few days if the soil is damp before checking again.
- Fertilizer At planting time, use a complete fertilizer like Pennington UltraGreen All Purpose Plant Food 10-10-10 to provide your hydrangeas with the nutrition they require. Each year, feed your oakleaf with the same fertilizer or a flower-enhancing fertilizer like Pennington UltraGreen Color Blooms & Bulbs Plant Food 15-10-10 in early spring. Then, four months later, in mid-summer, feed it again.
Can Limelight hydrangea grow in shade?
This easy-to-grow plant is exceptionally hardy and long-lived. It prefers full sun in cold climates and midday shade in warm climates, but it does need well-drained soils that do not stay wet for long periods of time.
Simply trim it back by one-third of its whole height every spring to prune. You can also use a granular fertilizer developed for woody plants (such as a rose fertilizer) at this time.
How long do oakleaf hydrangeas live?
Hydrangeas are long-lived shrubs that can live for up to 50 years if cared for properly. They prefer morning light but afternoon shade, and during the growing season, they require frequent watering. After the blossoms have faded, prune them in the fall so that they can develop on robust stems the following summer. Pruning hydrangeas when they’re flowering can harm them, resulting in a year of no flowers while the plants recover.
Do oakleaf hydrangeas lose their leaves?
Hydrangeas are shrubs whose name comes from the Greek words for water (hydor) and vessel (angos), owing to their love of water and the shape of their seed pods, respectively. Hydrangeas are rarely recommended by Master Gardeners in Sonoma County because these strong, shade-loving shrubs with huge, dramatic blooms are better suited to locations with humid air and summer rains. One prominent exception is Hydrangea quercifolia, also known as the oakleaf hydrangea. It not only thrives in our climate, but it also makes a beautiful garden specimen, unlike the mophead and lacecap species. This is the only hydrangea on our list of Sonoma County’s Recommended Plants.
H. quercifolia is called after its deeply lobed leaves, which resemble those of the northern red oak. It is native to the Southeastern United States (Quercus rubra). Other hydrangeas’ leaves aren’t lobed, and the differences don’t end there. H. quercifolia leaves are also thick, coarse, sparsely serrated, and bristling with microscopic hairs on the undersides. Because of its thickness and pubescence (hairiness), it is the only hydrangea that can comfortably cohabit in our gardens with low-water Mediterranean and California native plants.
Oakleaf hydrangeas reach a mature height of 6-7 feet and a width of 7-8 feet, with a charming mounding habit that is less stylized than their spherical, more formal cousins in the genus. They not only require less water than other members of the genus, but they can also thrive in a variety of light conditions, from full sun to full shade, with dappled shade being optimal. Plants require more shade in the interior; the closer they are to the coast, the more light they can withstand.
There are no known disease or pest problems with H. quercifolia, and it grows slowly compared to other hydrangeas. As a result, it is a well-behaved garden citizen who does not require excessive care or water. All portions of the hydrangea, like those of other hydrangeas, are slightly poisonous if eaten.
Oakleaf hydrangea is known for its white, conical summer blossoms that can grow to be nearly a foot long. But it doesn’t stop there. Oakleaf hydrangea foliage takes on a fall coat of gorgeous, dramatic color, ranging from crimson to purple to bronze, as many summer-flowering shrubs wither and drop their leaves.
Although it is technically deciduous, it retains its leaves until early winter. The naked shrub shows off its rusty, peeling branches and stems when they fall. The shredded, cinnamon-colored bark of older stems, reminiscent of manzanita and Arbutus, adds winter appeal. New growth emerges in the spring, with a stunning color and texture and soft, silky hairs.
H. quercifolia can be used as a single specimen, in small groups, or as a landscape border.
It’s also used in mass plantings in some large gardens. There are identified types that are supposed to boost bloom size and shape while also producing larger plantssome reaching 15 feet in heightand should be picked with caution. ‘Snowflake’ is a popular choice, but the flowers are a touch heavy; ‘Pee Wee’ and ‘Sikes Dwarf’, both in the 4-6 ft. range, are recommended for smaller gardens. ‘Munchkin’ stays at a height of 3 feet and a width of 3 feet.
Which hydrangea does best in shade?
For shady areas, oakleaf hydrangeas are the ideal choice. Their striking oak-shaped leaves give them their name! With soft spring buds, enormous blooms in summer, vivid fall foliage, and peeling winter bark, oakleaf hydrangeas are easy to enjoy in all four seasons.