Oakleaf Hydrangeas in Greensboro Gardens

Oakleaf hydrangeas or the scientific name, Hydrangea quercifolia grow wonderfully in Greensboro landscapes. They provide year round interest because of their properties. This is a beauty for your gardens you don’t want to miss out on.

Oakleaf Hydrangeas are medium to large in size reaching 5 feet in height and 8 feet in spread. These plants prefer a site shaded from the afternoon sun. There are no pests and is quite the specimen plant. The panicles or flowers appear in May and June and EXTREMELY showy. People will look twice at this plant. The large flower heads can even be brought indoors for your dried flower arrangements.

In the autumn months, the foliage of Oakleaf Hydrangeas add a beautiful rusty burgundy splash within your gardens.

The color will compliment a home that is light in color, like creme or white. It is a great choice for planting next to other plants of finer textures, like pieris japonica or gardenias.

In the winter months, Oakleaf Hydrangeas have exfoliating bark with cinnamon/creme colors. Just ignore the wild onion in the picture below.

Oakleaf Hydrangeas come in different varieties too. The “Pee Wee” oakleaf hydrangea is smaller in size blooming in early to mid-summer. “Tokyo Delight” “Snow Queen” and “Snowflake”oakleaf hydrangeas provide a little variation. Another interesting variety is the “Variegated” oakleaf hydrangea with leaves of cream and green accentuated by lavender-mauve lacecap flower heads.

Since Greensboro, NC is always in fear of water restrictions, think about re-designing your beds so that all the water loving plants are in one area. Oakleaf Hydrangeas like a moist soil, so group all the water drinkers in 1 or 2 areas within your landscapes.

Diana Gardner-Williams  www.greensborogardens.wordpress.com

Landscape Design and Installation