Get essential tips for growing oakleaf hydrangea , a aboriginal bush with color - changing prime and heart - catching fall gloss .
Oakleaf hydrangea is a midsized to large deciduous bush that ’s aboriginal to the timberland of the American Southeast and ishardy throughout most of the nation . Its large , cone - influence flower heading set forth out white and disappearance to colors including pale pink , beige , and ruby as the farm season come along . The flowers often hang on on the stems into wintertime and make excellent dry out pieces for seasonal arrangements .
This type of hydrangea ’s prominent , coarsely textured leaves resemble the leaves of oak tree Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree , hence the common name . The green leaf germinate fall color ranging from orange to Marxist to purple at the start of fall . Mature stems have attractive peeling barque that resemble cinnamon joint . Here ’s how to plant and grow an oakleaf hydrangea in your garden .
Credit:Robert Cardillo
Where to Plant Oakleaf Hydrangea
Oakleaf hydrangeas look beautiful as part of a motley bush delimitation where their large leaves , color - shifting flowers , fall foliage semblance , and exfoliating bark contrast withneighboring shrubs , particularly evergreens . Large specimen can be showstoppers during spring through tumble but may be less impressive in wintertime with nothing to counterpoint against the stark , albeit beautiful stems .
These shrubs vary in fledged sizing . Site your plant life based on the sizing at maturity , and set aside appropriate space from other plants to secure it can achieve its full potency .
Avoid unmediated midday sunshine . In cool regions ( Zone 5 ) , extreme winter temperatures may decimate the prime buds and obliterate the stems back to the reason . Planting in an area withprotection from winter windsmay aid remedy this concern .
Credit: Denny Schrock
All parts of hydrangeas contain cyanogenetic glycoside , which are toxic to humans and animals . Make certain to plant hydrangea where they will not pose a threat to pets and small fry .
How and When to Plant Oakleaf Hydrangea
The salutary time to plant oakleaf hydrangea is in summertime or gloam . Avoid planting in the most extreme heating plant of summer if possible . poke the hole no deeper than the stem ball of the works . It is unspoilt to deploy the plant too high rather than too low-spirited . Loosen the surrounding soil to admit for stem growth and avail water system permeate down to the roots , and then tamp the soil back around the industrial plant . Water deeply , at least twice a week until established , and more frequently in warm conditions . use a layer of mulchto cool and protect the roots of the plant and to keep on moisture .
Robert Cardillo
Oakleaf Hydrangea Care Tips
Oakleaf hydrangea is an easy - to - maturate bush in average - to - fat , dampish stain . It rise good in partial subtlety , limiting the intense noontide sun . Established industrial plant are very drought large-minded .
Light
Oakleaf hydrangeas perform best in fond shade . plant life in deep shade can become tall-growing with rock-bottom inflorescence , while plantsgrown in too much sunmay evolve leaf scorch in the visor of summer . Ask your local nursery about the best light conditions for oakleaf hydrangea in your neighborhood .
Soil and Water
Organically rich , moist ground will aid oakleaf hydrangea thrive , but these bush are actuallyvery drouth - tolerantonce constitute . water system when the top 2 - 4 column inch of soil is dry . Limit watering the leaves ( overhead lacrimation ) to reduce the likelihood of foliar disease . Excessively moist soil for prolonged periods can lead to root rot . Established plant life in many parts of the country may necessitate small or no supplemental water throughout the season .
Apply 2 inches of mulch around the plant to protect the delicate ancestor from drying out . invalidate letting mulch touch the prow of the shrub . As with all woody plant life , this can lead to shank rot .
Temperature and Humidity
Oakleaf hydrangea are stalwart throughout most of the United States , although they will not survive in the northern and southerly extremity of the country . When grown in the cold regions of its hardiness range , the bush may die back to the ground in wintertime , eliminate the potential for flowering the following time of year . In these regions , it ’s estimable to consider oakleaf hydrangea as a unique foliage plant with fantabulous descent color .
This plant is native to the American Southwest , and the best unfolding often occurs in regions with warmer temperature . Excessive humidity may cause the plant life todevelop powdery mildewor other foliar diseases .
Fertilizer
Oakleaf hydrangea need fertile soil to thrive . Plants grown in the right localization will require little or no extra fertilizer . If youchoose to fertilise , practice a balanced slow - release fertilizer such as 10 - 10 - 10 or 20 - 20 - 20 , and implement it equally at the groundwork of the plant in belated spring or former summertime when it is actively growing .
Plants grown in sandy or nourishing - deficient soil will do good from a annual practical app of compost around the base of the plant . Apply the compost to the soilunder the plant and hatch it with mulch . Avoid working the compost into the filth to define root hurly burly .
Pruning
Oakleaf hydrangeas lookbest with minimal pruning . This is not a formal shrub nor a prospect for aggressive defining or shearing . If you do not apprise the expression of the dried flowers remaining on the works for the correspondence of the time of year , remove them curtly after flower . Oakleaf hydrangeas develop the next season ’s flower buds in tardy summer . Pruning recently in the time of year will reduce next year ’s flower video display .
If your industrial plant has become too prominent for the space , dispatch several with child stem to promote new growth lower to the ground . debate , however , that one of the more magical aspects of this plant is the winter pastime supply by the Ceylon cinnamon tree - colored exfoliate bark .
Oakleaf hydrangeas may develop irregular growth , peculiarly in grave shade . call back of this as an asset rather than something to struggle against . Enjoy the natural peach of this works .
Credit:Carson Downing
Potting and Repotting Oakleaf Hydrangea
Oakleaf hydrangea struggle when maturate in pots , which can be a problem for nursery growers . small pick can be used in expectant planter , although these shrub are best grown directly in the ground .
Pests and Problems
Oakleaf hydrangea may develop powdery mold late in the time of year , particularly in humid regions . This works is often grown in part shaded and protect locations with poor air flow . Monitor your plants for powdery mildew and cut back surrounding plants to increase air circulation as require .
Another common trouble is bacterial foliage spot . This disease introduce itself as reddish - brown spots on the aerofoil of the leaves . Minor infestation are unsightly but not deadly . Bad case will have the hydrangea to cast its leaves , weakening the plant . trim out heavily infect sections of the plant and graze up and remove all fallen parting from the ground . Disinfect your toolsbefore using them on any other plant . Avoid overhead lachrymation and supply good air flow around the industrial plant to limit the establishment andspread of the disease . Pesticides control Cu sulfate or copper octanoate may be effective at controlling leaf blot . cautiously read the label and employ as directed .
Oakleaf hydrangeas are also susceptible to root rot . see to it yoursite has good drainage , and only water supply mature plant life once the top 3 - 4 in of soil is juiceless .
Credit: Cynthia Haynes
How to Propagate Oakleaf Hydrangea
Softwood cuttings take in spring or other summer may root in 4 - 6 weeks but can take as long as 12 hebdomad . Here ’s how to do it .
Types of Oakleaf Hydrangea
‘Alice’ Oakleaf Hydrangea
Hydrangea quercifolia‘Alice ’ create snowy flowers on 14 - inch flowering , which eventually ferment pink and eventually beige just before the foliage matures to a thick purple and burgundy colour for autumn . Although label to reach 8 feet improbable and 8 feet wide , in time , a mature specimen may become even larger .
‘Snow Queen’ Oakleaf Hydrangea
Hydrangea quercifolia‘Snow Queen ’ contact 6 feet tall and wide of the mark , with bronzy blood-red autumn leaf people of colour and 8 - inch inflorescences of blank flowers that turn pink as they age .
‘Munchkin’ Oakleaf Hydrangea
Hydrangea quercifolia‘Munchkin ’ was introduced by the U.S. National Arboretum . This diminutive shape accomplish only 4 feet marvelous and extensive , with white flowers that age to a pleasant medium pink . This petite manakin works well in low M where traditional selections may overpower the space .
‘Ruby Slippers’ Oakleaf Hydrangea
Hydrangea quercifolia‘Ruby slipper ’ is a heavyset human body that get hold of 4 foot improbable and 5 feet wide as it ages . The inflorescences are large for such a minor industrial plant , growing up to 9 inches long , and are covered in white efflorescence that quickly turn pink , and then mature to a saturated ruby color .
Oakleaf Hydrangea Companion Plants
Gold Dust Plant
The evergreen leaves of thegold dust plant(Aucuba japonica ) provide a pleasant contrast to the leaves of oakleaf hydrangea , particularly late in the time of year when the hydrangea develop robust fall colours reminiscent of east - coast deciduous forests . Zones 6 - 10
Hellebore
Carson Downing
Hellebores(Helleborusspp . ) supply a deep light-green bird when planted at the base of oakleaf hydrangeas . The flower of leaves and flowers in winter provides additional pursuit and contrast to the bare , exfoliate stems that oakleaf hydrangea are known for . Zones 4 - 9
Witch Hazel
Witch hazels(Hamamelisspp . ) are first-class plants for the mixed shrub border , a common fix for oakleaf hydrangeas . The yellow and aureate dusk colour accompanies the rich reds , purples , and oranges of oakleaf hydrangea . Be aware of the size of your witch hazelnut tree , and tolerate it space to mature into a balanced specimen . zona 3 - 8
What to Avoid Planting with Oakleaf Hydrangea
Not all plants are going to pair well with oakleaf hydrangea . debar growing works like sunflowers , lilac-colored , and rosemary near these shrubs because they require much hotter , dryer conditions to thrive . For your best results , you should also avoid planting this shrub beside gravid trees which will compete with oakleaf hydrangea for water and nutrient .
Frequently Asked Questions
No . Oak trees are a member of the genusQuercus , while oakleaf hydrangeas are in the genusHydrangea . The wordquercifoliacan be broken down intoquerci- oak andfolia- leaf . The leaf of oakleaf hydrangea resemble the leaves of red-faced oak tree trees .
There is nothing you may add to the soil to wrick oakleaf hydrangea flowers deep pink or bright blue . Unlike bigleaf and mickle hydrangea , oakleaf hydrangea do notchange colour in response to soil pH. Instead , grow oakleaf hydrangea for their inherent lulu and leave behind the soil acidifiers andgarden limein the service department .
Yes , although they are typically clump - forming plant , they will eventually fan out out over time . However , they are not aggressive spreaders like some other types of hydrangeas .
These gorgeous , flowering bush attract pollinators like bees and butterflies . However , the scent that they get also pull in small fly front that could damage their leaves .
These bush are more cervid - resistant than other hydrangeas . However , cervid might still grazeon their flowers or shoot , which could forbid this industrial plant from blossom .
Hydrangea . North Carolina State University Extension .
Hydrangea . ASPCA .
