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Oak Leafed Hydrangea
Most gardeners are surprised when they first encounter a shrub of the Oak leafed Hydrangea. It looks so different from the common mop head Hydrangeas and it isn’t until mid summer when the long panicles of flowers are produced that one can see the resemblance to the more commonly grown cousins.
Hydrangea quercifolia means oak leafed Hydrangea.It is a truly beautiful shrub for the four seasons. In spring large leathery leaves shaped like Northern Oak leaves are produced. By summer they have taken on reddish hues and are topped by large long panicles of white flowers. During autumn these leaves turn red ,orange and burgundy before falling. In winter the bare branches are further enhanced by the dried flower heads which are a lovely feature.
The Oak leafed Hydrangea, coming from cold northern America, is a lot more hardy than most other Hydrangeas.It is dormant in winter and sensibly waits for any late frosts before it will send forth its new leaves in spring. It tolerates more drought than the Mop heads and lacecaps and will happily grow in dry sandy soils. Full sun encourages a bushier plant with more flowers and better coloured autumn leaves. It will also grow in shady conditions, but be more prone to becoming leggy. Fewer flowers are produced in shade and the flowers tend towards green which is quite lovely. I have grown this Hydrangea as a ground cover and filler under deciduous trees where it has thrived. But recently I saw a mass planting of them in full sun. They were used as a border between a group planting of native Pittosporums, Corokias and Kowhais and the lawn and looked simply stunning. In the hot sun the leaves had turned quite reddish and the plants sat comfortably on the ground where they had grown into each other.
The flowers start out green, turning pure white and then aging to a soft antique pink and green coloring by autumn. The double flowering variant Hydrangea p. Snowflake produces two sets of flowers, one atop the other, with delicious green eyes. This variety seems to flower for a longer period than the others and to retain its whiteness for a far longer period.
Only prune Oak leaf Hydrangeas when they are getting leggy or out of hand. I prefer to do this in late spring or early summer. Feed with sheep pellets and mulch to retain moisture in very dry soils.
The leathery leaves don’t appear to be a favourite food of pests and powdery will only be a problem in sheltered humid locations. What will kill these shrubs almost instantly is wet feet. They hate surplus water at their roots for any length of time.
The Oak leafed hydrangea is also excellent as a container plant, particulary a large container where the large leaves will spill over the edges.
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