Oakleaf Hydrangea

Hydrangea quercifolia

A fast growing, large, suckering rounded shrub native to the southeastern U.S. from Tennessee to Georgia and south. Some records include: 3 years - 9 feet; largest on record - 16 x 17 feet.
The large 5 to 7 lobed leaves, up to 12 x 12 inches somewhat resemble Quercus velutina - Black Oak in outline. They are medium green above, downy beneath and turn to spectacular shades of red, orange and purple late in autumn, sometimes persisting through the winter.
The foliage is very frost tolerant both during spring and fall and can tolerate as low as 15 F without damage.
The flowers are borne in pyramidal panicles up to 13 x 6 inches, during summer and are white later turning pinkish in autumn.
The attractive stems with orangish peeling bark is an excellent winter feature.
Hardy zones 5 to 9 ( possibly 4 if sheltered and wood is well ripened after a hot summer ) in full sun to partial shade. It prefers acidic to neutral, fertile, moist, well drained soil ( does not tolerate saturated, poorly drained soil ) and a climate with hot humid summers. Established plants are drought, salt and dry shade tolerant. Fertilize with an all purpose fertilizer regularly throughout the growing season. Young plants tend to be not as cold hardy and should be sheltered in zones 5 and 6 for their first few winters ( wrapping in burlap for first winter is an option ). Can be pruned to be kept compact and far smaller than their natural size. Insect problems almost never exists and leaf spot is rare other than on containerized plants with very frequent overhead watering. Propagation is easy from seed which are sprinkled on top of potting mix, placed under mix and will germinate sometime between 2 weeks and a month. Pay close attention to moisture until the seedlings reach 1 inch in height. Cultivars can also be reproduced via cuttings and tissue culture.



* photo taken on April 11 2010 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on May 6 2010 in Clarksville, MD


* photo taken on annual Horticultural Society of Maryland Garden Tour








* photo taken on August 3 2010 @ University of Guelph Arboretum, Ontario

* photo taken on Oct 14 2010 @ Crownsville, MD

* photo of unknown internet source

* photo taken on June 7 2011 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Aug 4 2012 in Bayfield, Ontario

* photo taken on Sep 7 2012 in Ellicott City, MD

* photo taken on May 20 2014 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Aug 3 2014 @ National Zoo, DC

* photo taken on Mar 1 2017 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on July 13 2021 @ Hershey Gardens, Hershey PA

* photo taken on June 23 2021 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on May 31 2024 in Columbia, MD

'Alice'
Fast growing, reaching a maximum size of 13 x 17 feet with huge leaves up to 15 x 16 inches. Some records include: 4 years - 6 x 6.6 feet.
The deep green foliage turns to deep red in autumn.
The flower clusters are also huge, up to 24 ( rarely over 14 ) inches in length. Very heat tolerant and more sun tolerant than other cultivars.

* photo taken on Aug 24 2011 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on June 7 2011 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on June 21 2012 in Columbia, MD
* photo taken on July 15 2012 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Sep 7 2012 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on June 12 2013 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on June 16 2013 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on June 11 2014 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on June 15 2014 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Aug 1 2014 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Oct 1 2014 in Howard Co., MD

* photos taken on June 24 2015 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on July 9 2015 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Aug 24 2015 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Oct 27 2015 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on June 25 2017 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on June 5 2019 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Oct 22 2019 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Sep 5 2020 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on June 8 2021 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on June 21 2021 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on July 13 2021 @ Hershey Gardens, Hershey PA

* photo taken on June 25 2022 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Oct 23 2022 in Burtonsville, MD

'Allison'
Very vigorous, it reaches a maximum size of 12 x 17 feet.
The huge leaves that are luxuriant deep green turning to glowing deep red in autumn.
The flower clusters are are similar to 'Alice' but are more upright.

* photos taken on June 23 2014 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on June 3 2017 in Columbia, MD

'Amethyst'
Compact growing, reaching up to 8 x 8 ( rarely over 6 ) feet in 10 years.
The deep green foliage turns to red and red-purple in autumn.
The creamy-white flowers are borne in upright clusters up to 6 inches in length and turn to glowing red with age holding their color when dry.

* photo taken by Milan Havlis, owner of central Europe's premier plant nursery

* photos taken on Oct 4 2021 in Columbia, MD

'Dayspring'
Vigorous growing with large, pure white flowerheads up to 15 inches long.
The foliage turns to deep red during autumn.

* photo taken on Apr 23 2017 @ Brookside Gardens, Wheaton, MD

* photo taken on June 3 2017 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Aug 5 2017 @ Brookside Gardens, Wheaton, MD

* photo taken on June 7 2019 @ Univ. of Maryland, College Park

* photo taken on Nov 10 2020 @ Brookside Gardens, Wheaton, MD

* photo taken on Oct 27 2021 in Columbia, MD

'Ellen Huff'
Vigorous, heat tolerant form originating from the Gulf Coast.
The foliage turns to purplish-red during autumn.
The white flowers are borne in panicles up to 12 inches in length.

* photos taken on Aug 24 2017 @ U.S. Botanic Garden, Wash. DC.

* photos taken on Nov 10 2020 @ Brookside Gardens, Wheaton, MD

* photos taken on July 10 2024 @ Brookside Gardens, Wheaton, MD

'Gatsby Gal'
Moderate growing, compact and rounded in habit, reaching up to 1.8 x 2.1 feet in 3 years, eventually to 6 x 6 feet.
The foliage turns to brilliant red during autumn. The leaves are up to 5 x 4 inches in size.
The very abundant, fragrant, huge flower panicles are creamy-white at first, turning to rosy-pink.
Hardy zones 5 to 9.

* photos taken on Nov 15 2020 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on June 19 2023 @ Hershey Gardens, Hershey, PA

* patent photo

'Gatsby Pink'
Fast growing, dense, sturdy and rounded in habit, reaching up to 3.7 x 3 feet in 3 years, eventually to 10 x 10 feet.
The deep green foliage turns to deep red during autumn. The leaves are up to 7.5 x 5.5 inches in size.
The abundant, huge flower panicles, up to 14 x 7 inches in size, are pure white at first, turning to mid-pink. They appear over a long period during mid to late summer.
Hardy zones 5 to 9 ( tolerates -20 F, possibly even colder on protected sites ).

* photos taken on Aug 25 2019 in Columbia, MD

* patent photo

'Gatsby Star'
Vigorous, sturdy, upright and rounded in habit, reaching up to 1.8 x 2 feet in 3 years, eventually to 8 x 8 feet.
The large leaves are deep green, turning to deep red during autumn.
The flowers are bright green at first, turning to pure white then finally pale pink. The double flowers are lightly fragrant. The flowers often persist longer than 2 months from early to mid summer.
Hardy zones 5 to 9

* photo taken on Nov 10 2020 @ Brookside Gardens, Wheaton, MD

* photos taken on June 19 2023 @ Hershey Park, Hershey, PA

'Gloster Form'
Vigorous, exceptionally heat tolerant form originating in Louisiana.

'Harmony'
Reaches up to 12 x 10 feet with deep green foliage which turns to deep red during autumn.
The extremely double, large, white flowers are borne in huge, dense panicles, up to 12 x 8 inches, that weigh up to a pound each. The heavy flower panicles that weigh down the branches eventually deepen to pale pink.
Hardy zones 5 to 9

* photo taken by Milan Havlis, owner of central Europe's premier plant nursery

* photos taken on Nov 9 2021 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Aug 1 2022 @ Brookside Gardens, Wheaton, MD

'Ice Crystal'
Reaches up to 6 x 6 feet, with attractive deeply-cut foliage that turns to deep red during autumn.
The flowers appear during early summer and persist into early autumn. They start out white but then deepen to pink.
Hardy zones 5 to 8.

* photo taken on Aug 5 2017 @ Brookside Gardens, Wheaton, MD

* photos taken on Nov 10 2020 @ Brookside Gardens, Wheaton, MD

* photos taken on July 22 2021 in Laurel, MD

* photo taken on July 22 2021 in Laurel, MD

* photo taken on Aug 2 2023 in Clarksville, MD

* photos taken on Oct 29 2023 in Clarksville, MD

* photos taken on Dec 15 2023 in Columbia, MD

'Jetstream'
A moderate growing, sturdy-branched, dense, compact, rounded, medium-sized shrub, reaching up to 4.2 x 5.2 feet in 5 years, eventually to 6 x 5 feet in size.
The glossy deep green foliage turns to intense orange-red during autumn. The large, deeply-veined foliage is resistant to leaf spot.
The flowers are borne on upright, pyramidal panicles, to 9 x 5.2 inches in size, during early summer and lasting up to 2 months. They are white, later deepening to light pink.
Hardy zones 5 to 8.

* photo taken on Oct 5 2015 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on June 4 2019 @ Howard Comm. College, Columbia, MD

* photo taken on June 7 2019 @ Univ. of Maryland, College Park

* photos taken on Sep 18 2019 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on June 22 2020 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Aug 17 2020 in Elkridge, MD

* photo taken on Aug 2 2023 in Clarksville, MD

'Little Honey' ( Golden Oakleaf Hydrangea )
A golden-yellow foliaged sport of "Peewee', reaching up to 4 x 4 feet in 8 years, eventually slightly more. It is compact, upright and broadly-rounded in habit.
The intense golden-yellow foliage turns intense deep red in autumn. The leaves are up to 7 x 6.5 inches in size.
The white flowers are borne on pyramidal panicles up to 9 x 5 inches in size. They last for up to a month during early summer.
The attractive stems are reddish-brown.
Hardy zones 5 to 9.

* photo taken on June 1 2014 @ Maryland Horticulturalist Society garden tour

* photo taken on Nov 10 2020 @ Brookside Gardens, Wheaton, MD

* photos taken on Aug 1 2022 @ Brookside Gardens, Wheaton, MD

* photos taken on May 6 2024 @ Brookside Gardens, Wheaton, MD

* photo taken on July 10 2024 @ Brookside Gardens, Wheaton, MD

'Munchkin'
A true dwarf, smaller in all its parts and only reaching up to 3 x 4.5 feet in 5 years, eventually up to 5 x 6 feet. It is dense and compact in habit.
The deep green foliage turns intense deep red during autumn. The leaves are up to 7 x 7.2 inches in size.
The flowers are borne on upright clusters, up to 6.5 inches long, during early summer. They are white at first, later deepening to mid-pink.

* photos taken on June 30 2013 @ U.S. National Arboretum, DC

* photo taken on Apr 23 2017 @ Brookside Gardens, Wheaton, MD

* photo taken on Oct 30 2019 in Gaithersburg, MD

* photo taken on Oct 23 2022 in Burtonsville, MD

'Pee Wee'
Dwarf and compact in habit, reaching up to 3 feet in 6 years; 5 x 5 feet in 10 years, may eventually grow broader to about 6 x 7 feet. Some records include: fastest growth rate - 2 feet. It was originally discovered in the sand hills of Alabama.
The leaves are up to 8 x 7 ( rarely 14 x 15 ) inches in size. The deep green foliage turns to rose-red to purple during late autumn.
The white flowers are borne in clusters up to 7 ( rarely 12 ) inches in length.

* photos taken on June 30 2013 @ U.S. National Arboretum, DC

* photo taken on July 11 2014 @ Smithsonian Inst., Washington, DC

* photo taken on Aug 4 2021 @ U.S. National Arboretum, Washington, DC

* photo taken on Oct 31 2024 in Ellicott City, MD

'Queen of Hearts'
Dense and rounded, reaching up to 7 x 9 feet in 10 years, eventually slightly more.
The mid-green foliage turns to deep red during autumn.
The large, pyramidal, upright flower panicles, up to 9 inches long, are white ( aging to deep pink ). The flowers appear about a week later than most other cultivars.
Hardy zones 5 to 8.

* photo taken on May 21 2017 in Columbia, MD

'Ruby Slippers'
Dense and dwarf in habit, reaching only around 3.5 x 2.5 feet in 3 years, 3.5 x 5 feet in 5 years, 4 x 6.5 feet in 10 years, eventually to 6 x 7 feet. Some records include: fastest growth rate - 3 feet.
The sturdy, upright flower clusters, up to 14.5 x 7 ( rarely over 10 ) inches in size, are pale pink, later deepening to deep rosy-red.
The foliage is deep green, turning to deep red during autumn. The foliage is dense due to the short internodes between the leaves. The leaves are up to 11 x 12 ( average 7 x 5.5 ) inches in size.
Hardy zones 5 to 8. It is very resistant to root rot.

* photo taken on July 9 2015 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on June 3 2017 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on June 14 2017 in Howard Co., MD

* photos taken on Aug 5 2017 @ Brookside Gardens, Wheaton, MD

* photo taken on Aug 5 2017 @ Brookside Gardens, Wheaton, MD

* photo taken on Nov 3 2017 in Howard Co., MD

* photo taken on June 5 2018 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on June 20 2018 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on June 29 2020 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Nov 10 2020 @ Brookside Gardens, Wheaton, MD

* photos taken on July 14 2022 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Aug 1 2022 in Brookside Gardens, Wheaton, MD

* photos taken on Oct 24 2022 @ Howard Community College, Columbia, MD

* photo taken on June 2 2023 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on July 2 2023 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Sep 1 2023 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Oct 2 2023 in Ellicott City, MD

* photos taken on Oct 27 2023 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Nov 19 2023 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on May 28 2024 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on June 14 2024 in Columbia, MD

'Semmes Beauty'
Very vigorous ( to 10 x 12 feet or more ) and exceptionally heat tolerant form with large, white flower inflorescences.

* photos taken on June 21 2018 in Columbia, MD

'Sikes Dwarf'
A dwarf bushy form only reaching up to 5 x 7 ( rarely over 3 x 4 ) feet in 10 years and eventually to 5 x 7.5 ( rarely over 4 x 6 ) feet.
The leaves are very large, up to 12 inches wide. The deep green foliage turns rich burgundy-red in autumn.
The white ( later fading to pink ) flowers are borne in clusters up to 12 inches in length.
Hardy zones 5 to 8.

* photo taken on July 17 2010 @ Morris Arboretum, Philly, PA

* photo taken on Aug 25 2011 @ Scott Arboretum, Swarthmore, PA

* photo taken on June 1 2012 in Columbia, MD * photos taken on June 8 2012 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on June 12 2013 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on June 10 2013 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on June 18 2013 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Sep 29 2013 in Laurel, MD

* photo taken on Nov 22 2013 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on June 9 2015 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on July 9 2016 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on May 16 2017 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Oct 3 2017 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Oct 31 2018 @ Howard Comm College, Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Nov 3 2018 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Oct 18 2019 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on June 26 2020 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Oct 27 2020 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on June 10 2021 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Oct 27 2021 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on June 28 2022 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Oct 25 2023 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Nov 16 2023 in Columbia, MD

'Snowflake'
Vigorous growing, reaching up to 8 x 8 feet in 10 years and known to eventually reach over 10 x 12 feet.
The very showy, double white flowers are borne in panicles up to 15 inches in length. The older flowers turn to pink.

* photo taken on June 22 2014 in Clarksville, MD

* photo taken on June 20 2015 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Aug 5 2017 @ Brookside Gardens, Wheaton, MD

* photos taken on July 10 2024 @ Brookside Gardens, Wheaton, MD

'Snowcicle'
Upright and domed in habit, reaching up to 6 x 5 feet in 10 years, eventually to 8 x 8 feet.
The foliage turns to orange and deep red during autumn. The leaves are up to 6 x 5 inches in size.
The huge, thick flower panicles, are up to 14 x 5.5 inches in size, and persist for up to 2.5 months during early to mid summer. The double white flowers are white, later turning to rosy-pink and often both colors will appear on a plant at the same time.
Hardy zones 5 to 9

* patent photo

'Snow Queen'
Compact in habit, reaching up to 10 x 14 ( rarely over 6 ) feet. Some records include: 10 years - 7 x 8 feet.
The deep green leaves, up to 8 inches in length, turn spectacular deep red-purple during fall.
The sterile white flowers are borne in huge dense clusters, up to 14 inches in length, on strong stems that do not flop. The flowers persist all summer, deepening to pink by late summer then drying to tan in early autumn.
Thrives in sun or shade and tolerates down to -22 F or colder.

* photos taken on June 7 2011 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Aug 15 2012 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Dec 14 2012 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on June 15 2014 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken @ Smithsonian Inst, Wash., DC on Aug 25 2014

* photo taken on Oct 23 2014 @ Smithsonian Inst., Wash. DC

* photos taken on June 24 2015 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Aug 24 2015 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Sep 8 2015 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Oct 5 2015 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Dec 6 2015 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on June 24 2016 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Apr 12 2017 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on June 9 2017 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on June 25 2017 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on May 25 2018 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on June 5 2018 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Oct 31 2018 @ Howard Comm College, Columbia, MD

* photos taken on June 5 2019 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Oct 29 2019 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Oct 25 2021 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on June 6 2022 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Oct 29 2022 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Nov 13 2022 in Columbia, MD

'Tara'
Fast growing and broadly vase-shaped in habit, reaching up to 1.8 x 3.3 feet in 2 years, eventually to 6 x 6 feet.
The very large leaves are up to 13 x 6.5 inches in size. The foliage turns to deep red during autumn.
The very dense, rounded, large, mophead flowers are up to 8 x 8 inches in size. the flower clusters typically stand upright on sturdy stems and it makes a great cut flower.
Hardy zones 5 to 8.

'Vaughn's Lillie'
Moderate growing, compact, upright, broad-rounded in habit, reaching up to 2.3 x 2.7 feet in 3 years, eventually to 4 x 5 feet.
The leaves are up to 7 x 6 inches in size, and are borne on short internodes. The deep green foliage turns to deep red during autumn.
The long-lasting, white ( later deepening to pink ) flowers are borne in dense and massive inflorescences, up to 5 x 5 inches in size, during early summer and lasting up to 2 months. There is occasionally some repeat bloom during late summer into early autumn.
Hardy zones 5 to 9

* photos taken on June 19 2023 @ Hershey Gardens, Hershey, PA