Hydrangea quercifolia Oakleaf hydrangea
1999 Theodore Klein Plant Award Winner
Hydrangea quercifolia Oakleaf hydrangea - is a native of the southeast United States that has been in cultivation since 1803. It is a stoloniferous 4-6 foot tall shrub with handsome coarse foliage. Fall color can vary, but generally is a flamboyant mix of red, orange and purple. The sterile showy white flowers conceal the small fertile flowers that occur in 4-12 inch long erect panicles. The June blooms are long lasting, slowly fading from white to a purplish-pink and finally in the fall to a brownish tan that can used in dried flower arrangements. Oakleaf hydrangea is propagated by seed, division, layering, cuttings and tissue culture. Cuttings do not tolerate too wet a root environment. Small plants are grown in containers. Landscape size plants are commonly field grown. Cultivars known for erect, showy flowers are 'Alice', 'Alison', 'Snowflake' and 'Snow Queen'.
An aging summer bloom is to the left and fall color to the right.