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.
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 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?
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 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.
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.
Can I grow hydrangeas in full shade?
Hydrangeas thrive in full sun to part sun (more than 6 hours of sunlight) (4-6 hours sun). All hydrangeas, however, can tolerate some shade, but the timing and type of shadow must be considered. As long as they get some early sun, they can be in full shadow during the warmest portion of the day.
Do oakleaf hydrangeas attract bees?
Hydrangeas are said to attract bees because of their enormous blooms, however this isn’t always the case. Hydrangeas attract bees in certain varieties but not in others. The flowers of mophead hydrangeas are sterile and lack nectar to attract pollinators. Lacecap Hydrangeas, on the other hand, have fruitful blossoms that attract bees. Pollinators such as bees are attracted to climbing hydrangeas, oakleaf hydrangeas, and smooth hydrangeas.
Stick with Mophead Hydrangeas if you want to avoid bees. Plant Lacecap Hydrangeas, Climbing Hydrangeas, Oakleaf Hydrangeas, or Smooth Hydrangeas instead if you want to create a pollinator-friendly environment. Lacecap and Oakleaf Hydrangeas seem to attract the most bees and pollinators out of all of these kinds.
You might be wondering why Hydrangeas don’t attract more pollinators because of their gorgeous blossoms. Aren’t huge, bright flowers attractive to bees and other pollinators? It turns out that not all Hydrangea flowers provide the nectar and pollen that pollinators are looking for. Hydrangeas are known for their gorgeous clusters of flowers, yet they are largely sterile. Only the fruitful flowers with nectar and pollen are found in the cluster’s interior.
In truth, Hydrangeas’ “petals” are actually sepals, not flowers. These sepals would be green in most plants. The outer portion of Hydrangeas, on the other hand, resembles the shape of a flower.
Hydrangeas in the wild have fewer large, sterile blossoms and more little fertile flowers. The ratio of viable to sterile flowers has varied as gardeners have developed Hydrangeas for larger blooms.
Because hydrangeas do not produce a lot of pollen, they are an excellent alternative for allergy sufferers. Hydrangeas are therefore ideal for cutting and bringing indoors without the risk of pollen allergies.
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.