July Plant of the Month: Oakleaf Hydrangea

A relatively slow-growing shrub, it typically reaches four to six feet in height and spreads by suckering. It produces very showy four to 12-inch panicles of white blooms from June through September. The blooms turn pink-purple with age. Blooms occur on “old wood”, which means blooms are produced on the prvious year’s new growth. If it must be pruned, it is best to do so immediately after it blooms.

Oakleaf hydrangea is relatively slow growing in full sun to part shade. It is more tolerant of weather extremes than some hydrangeas, but it appreciates at least a medium amount of regular moisture and a somewhat sheltered location. Easily grown here in mid-Missouri, its stems and buds can be injured by winter temperatures below -10 degrees and can be pruned off in spring.

In the fall, oakleaf hydrangeas’ leaves exhibit gorgeous shades of red, orange and purple. Additionally, older stems on the shrub attractively exfoliate in the winter, revealing red-brown colored bark, making it a plant with four seasons of visual interest in the garden.

There are a number of cultivars available to gardeners.