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Shrub · Hydrangeaceae Draft — unreviewed

Oakleaf hydrangea

Hydrangea quercifolia W.Bartram

Also called oakleaf hydrangea.

Bold native shrub with large oak-shaped leaves, cone-shaped white panicles that age pink, burgundy fall colour and peeling winter bark.

Size over time

Typical landscape size 1.5–2.5 m (5–8 ft) tall and 1.5–2.5 m (5–8 ft) wide; medium growth, about 6 years to maturity. Intermediate sizes use the planner’s growth curve (k = 0.25) from the #3 install size.

012mPlanting0.5 × 0.5 mYear 31.3 × 1.3 mYear 101.9 × 1.9 mMature2.0 × 2.0 m

Bloom

White flowers, May–Jul (northern-hemisphere months; timing shifts with region and season).

Bloom calendar: months each plant is in bloom
PlantJFMAMJJASOND
Oakleaf hydrangea : May–Jul

Design notes

  • Flowers on old wood — shape only right after bloom.
  • Needs good drainage; root rot in heavy, wet clay.
  • Compact cultivars (e.g. 'Ruby Slippers', 'Pee Wee') fit foundations.

Regions

Native range: Southeastern U.S..

Native to these OpenLandscape3D pilot regions:

Southeast

Native status describes where the species occurs naturally. It is not a promise that it suits a particular garden; site conditions decide that.

Related plants

Annabelle smooth hydrangea
Hydrangea arborescens 'Annabelle' · Shrub · 0.9–1.5 m (3–5 ft)
Bigleaf hydrangea
Hydrangea macrophylla · Shrub · 1–1.8 m (3–6 ft)
Limelight panicle hydrangea
Hydrangea paniculata 'Limelight' · Shrub · 1.8–2.4 m (6–8 ft)
Black chokeberry
Aronia melanocarpa · Shrub · 0.9–1.8 m (3–6 ft)
American beautyberry
Callicarpa americana · Shrub · 1.2–1.8 m (4–6 ft)
Buttonbush
Cephalanthus occidentalis · Shrub · 1.8–3.6 m (6–12 ft)

Plan with Oakleaf hydrangea

Place it in a design, check it against your zone, light and moisture, and see it at year three and year ten.

Start designing Try a sample garden