Hydrangeas
Quercifolia
(aka Oakleaf Hydrangea)
The
oakleaf hydrangea is Alabama's state wildflower and many
would argue that it should be the state flower instead
of the camellia. I love camellias but I can see their reasoning.
This is definitely a "10" plant for Alabama as well
as the southeastern U.S. They grow well in sun or shade, they
seem to laugh at the heat and their huge blooms are dramatic and
long lasting. What more could a gardener ask for? Well, fragrance
maybe, so we might have to deduct a point for that.
These are
usually big shrubs (with the exception of a new variety called
"Pee Wee" that stays under 4 feet) so the gardener with
limited space might want to think twice about planting one. They
make an outstanding showing planted in masses but also do nicely
as specimen plants. They seem to be at home in both informal woodland
gardens as well as formal plantings in front yards. The suburb
of Mountain Brook in Birmingham, Alabama has one of the most beautiful
displays of oakleafs I have ever seen. Drive down Montevallo Road
in May or June for an amazing sight - and mind you, this area
is almost in complete shade!
The oakleafs
are called so because of their leaves which look like those of
an oak tree. The stems become thick and gnarled and peel, not
unlike that on a birch tree. In winter, they are an arresting
feature. In habit and appearance, the oakleaf hydrangeas are totally
different from the macrophyllas.
Culture
Oakleaf hydrangeas
are the most easy to care for. When given good attention when
planted and watered during dry spells, you should not have to
worry about them. Just admire them! I do not know of any diseases
or pests that plaque them and pruning is minimal (see below.)
Site
Selection - The beauty of the oakleaf hydrangea is that
it succeeds admirably in both sun or shade. It flowers beautifully
in almost complete shade and the white flowers certainly brighten
up dark areas. On the other hand, full sun doesn't seem to hamper
the blooms either. In the wild, they grow mostly in wooded areas
with dappled sunshine. This is ideal but by no means a requirement.
Oakleafs do not like wet areas or extremely dry ones - your soil
should be rich and moist for optimal growth.
Planting
- Dig a generous hole, wider than the root ball and add compost,
aged manure, leaves, peat moss, etc. to the planting mix. Position
the plant so that an inch of the root ball sits above the soil
line, fill in with your native soil that has been amended and
water well. Surround the plant with 1-2 inches of mulch - leaves
and pine needles are excellent choices.
Fertilizing
- should be done twice yearly - in late winter or early spring
and then again after flowering in late summer. Do not fertilize
after August. I use a general 10-10-10 granular fertilizer which
I sprinkle around the base of each plant. Liquid fertilizers can
also be used and are especially recommended if your plant is suffering
from chlorosis (yellowing leaves). Always follow the rules on
the fertilizer label and don't over-do it. Too much fertilizer
can be harmful and can result in excessive green growth and fewer
flowers.
Pruning
- Oakleaf hydrangeas will grow and remain beautiful with no pruning
at all. The only pruning needed is to remove dead or damaged limbs.
If you wish to maintain an oakleaf hydrangea at a certain size,
wait until after it has bloomed in the summer before pruning.
Keep
in mind that the various types of hydrangeas are pruned differently!
(For pruning instructions for smooth,
panicle, and macrophylla
hydrangeas, consult the appropriate web pages on this site).
Hardiness
Generally
considered hardy to zone 5. Click
here for the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map.
Cultivar
List
Name |
Flower
Type |
Characteristics |
Close-Up
View |
Full
View |
Dayspring |
Panicle |
|
|
|
Harmony |
Panicle |
Unique
selection with huge dense panicles whose weight causes them
to droop downward. Discovered in Alabama. |
|
|
Snowflake |
Panicle |
Beautiful
large blooms 12" or longer. Upright growth to 7'. Discovered
in Alabama. |
|
|
Snow
Queen |
Panicle |
Robust
shrub with large upright panicles |
|
|
