Hydrangea quercifolia

Scientific Name (Genus/Species): Hydrangea quercifolia

Family: (Hydrangeaceae)

Shrub to 8′. Oakleaf Hydrangea. This native of Georgia and Tennessee southwards is one of our all-time favourite “must have” shrubs. Forming full, rounded mounds of lobed and scalloped, oak-like leaves, it is graced in June with showy almost conical foot-long inflorescences of creamy white, often fading to soft pink with age. In fall, the large coarsely textured leaves develop rich hues of purple, scarlet and orange, providing some of the most vivid of autumnal colour. It grows better for us in some shade and with winter protection, as one would except from this southern belle. Prefers a moist, acidic but well-drained woodsy soil. 5 & T2