Growing oakleaf hydrangeas should not be difficult if you planted your hydrangea appropriately. These drought-tolerant native shrubs are completely disease- and pest-free once established.
According to oakleaf hydrangea information, the plants can reach a height of 10 feet (3 meters) and a spread of 8 feet (2 meters). If you haven’t given the hydrangeas enough room to grow to their full potential, you may need to start pruning them to keep them small enough for the space.
Oakleaf hydrangeas can be pruned to help them grow into a full shrub. If you want to do this, pinch back new growth or cut previous growth. Don’t prune these bushes before they bloom because they blossom on the previous year’s growth. This allows them to develop new buds, which will blossom the following summer.
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.
Are oakleaf hydrangeas easy to grow?
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.
How much sun does an oakleaf hydrangea need?
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?
Should I cut back my 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)
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.
What is the best fertilizer for oakleaf hydrangeas?
The oak leaf hydrangea gives a splash of color to the landscape with its stunning blossoms and vibrant fall color. The deciduous shrub features enormous, dark-green leaves that resemble northern red oak leaves, as well as white flowers throughout the summer. The oak leaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia), which is native to the Southeast, grows in USDA plant hardiness zones 5 through 9. The shrubs grow to be 4 to 8 feet tall and wide on average, but certain cultivars, such as “Alice,” can grow to be 15 feet tall and spread. Oak leaf hydrangea thrives in the shade with nutritious, moist soil, but it may also thrive in the sun with adequate care.
Can I plant hydrangeas in sandy soil?
Hydrangeas are a wonderful plant to grow. You can have bushes full of show-stopping blooms throughout summer for comparatively little work. Will your yard or flower beds, however, be the right habitat for these lovely creatures? What kind of soil does it take for Hydrangeas to thrive?
Hydrangeas love loam and sandy-loam soils that drain well. However, if modified with compost, peat moss, or other organic material, they may withstand clay or sandy soil. Hydrangeas can’t grow in soils with a pH of less than 5.0 or more than 8.0. Hydrangeas thrive in soil with a pH of at least 5.5 within this range.
Hydrangeas thrive in a wide range of environments and soil types. They may even handle soils that are more acidic or ericaceous than other popular garden plants. Different pH levels in the soil can cause Bigleaf Hydrangeas to vary the color of its flowers, which is why gardeners talk about them so often. Continue reading to learn more details.
How do you fertilize oakleaf hydrangeas?
Fertilize your oakleaf hydrangea using a general-purpose garden fertilizer in the spring and top dress with fresh compost to promote healthy growth. Oakleaf hydrangeas, unlike mophead-style hydrangeas, do not change blossom color as a result of soil acidity, so there’s no need to keep track of or adjust the pH of your soil.
Because hydrangeas flower on old wood, it’s better to avoid trimming so you don’t miss out on summer flowers by mistakenly removing flower buds. You won’t need to prune unless there’s dead wood to remove after winter damage if you check the label for the mature size and don’t crowd the plants. To accomplish this, wait until late spring to prune unproductive branches at the plant’s base.
Aphids and Japanese beetles devour the leaves of oakleaf hydrangeas, which can stunt their growth. Pick them off by hand and drop them into a pail of soapy water, or spray the branches with an insecticidal soap or Neem to get rid of them. Native oakleaf hydrangeas are usually well-adapted to a variety of growth situations once established and bring months of beauty to your area.
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 side of house do you plant hydrangeas?
The north-facing side of your home, regardless of where you live in the country, receives very little sunlight. This, combined with the fact that a north side garden is exposed to north winds, makes selecting the proper plants for a landscaping project more difficult. Fortunately, there are a variety of plants that will grow in these conditions while also adding beauty and value to your home.