HYDRANGEA QUERCIFOLIA

'Oak-Leaved Hydrangea' - Hydrangea quercifolia

The 'Oak-Leaved Hydrangea' - Hydrangea quercifolia, is a spreading deciduous shrub with large, handsome, deeply-lobed leaves. Native to the Southeastern United States, it most notable feature is the magnificent fiery shades of its autumn colour. It was first described by American botanist John Bartram in 1803, and has received both the Award of Merit (1928) and the Award of Garden merit (1984) from the Royal Horticultural Society.

Hydrangea quercifolia has a loose habit with dark green foliage, and under favourable conditions can grow up to 6 ft with an approximate spread of between 4-6 ft.

 'Oak-Leaved Hydrangea' - Hydrangea quercifolia, autumn colour

Its conical blooms are white and are produced on erect terminal panicles 4-12 inches high in July. The sterile outer florets will often turn purple in colour as they fade.

Plant Hydrangea quercifolia into a moist, loamy soil, with some well-rotted farm or garden manure dug in beforehand. It can be grown either full sun to partial shade but specimens grown in shade will produce larger leaves. Hydrangea quercifolia is usually found as an understory shrub, often in the shade of large in mixed hardwood forests, along streams and on forested hillsides. It is usually found growing on calcareous soils, and often where limestone is close to or at the ground surface.

In England, Hydrangea quercifolia has a reputation for flowering less profusely than expected and even has a reputation for being tender. Be that as it may you should experience no such issues in the milder southern regions, however it is always best to grow it in a sheltered position against a wall or hedge or beneath a canopy of high trees.

Hydrangea quercifolia will require watering during prolonged periods of dry weather, and mulch young plants with a well-rotted manure or compost in spring. Once the threat of late frosts has passed remove any faded flowerheads still remaining, cutting back the flowered stems to a strong pair of buds.

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