Hydrangea quercifolia / Oak Leaf Hydrangea

Oak Leaf Hydrangea has something to see in every season. In spring, sage green, extra fuzzy leaves begin to emerge and unfurl into large, red oak shaped leaves. Summer brings 6-12” pyramidal flower panicles that start out as a creamy white and slowly fade to pink throughout the summer. Leaves turn several shades of red in the fall while the flower heads turn brown and can remain decorative throughout the winter along with the shaggy, papery bark. This will be a very large plant, so be sure to give it plenty of space to grow. Sun with afternoon shade and moderately moist soil would be the ideal habitat, but this species is fairly adaptable to varying amounts of sun. These are known to be favored by deer.
Blooms: Cream to Pink, 5-6 weeks, May-June
Leaves: 3-8”, fuzzy, red oak-shaped leaves, turn shades of red and purple in the fall–many leaves remain on plant through winter
Height: 5-10’
Space: 6-8’
Soil: Moist-Average
Exposure:  Full sun-Part Shade
Fauna: Bees, flies, birds
Deer Resistance: Low
Zone: 5-9
Native Status: Southeast native, questionable natural range in NC
Provenance: Unknown, seed grown