Oakleaf Hydrangea

Appearance

''Hydrangea quercifolia'' is a coarse-textured deciduous shrub growing to 3–12 feet tall with an open crown. The plant sprouts shoots from underground stolons and often grows in colonies. Young stems are covered in a felt-like light brown bark, and the larger stems have attractive cinnamon-tan-orange bark that shreds and peels in thin flakes.

The leaves are yellowish green to dark green on top and silvery-white underneath. They have three, five or seven pointed lobes and are 4–12 in long and almost as wide. They are larger versions some oak leaves, resembling ''Quercus'' species with lobed foliage. Plants in shade have larger leaves than those grown in sun. ''Hydrangea quercifolia'' leaves turn rich shades of red, bronze and purple in autumn that persist in winter accompanying the persistent dried flower-heads.

Distribution

Native to continental southeastern North America it grows in mixed hardwood forests, along streams and on forested hillsides, usually on calcareous soils, and often where limestone is at the ground surface. ''Hydrangea quercifolia'' is an understory shrub, often in the shade of large oaks, hickories, magnolias, American beech, etc.

Habitat

Native to continental southeastern North America it grows in mixed hardwood forests, along streams and on forested hillsides, usually on calcareous soils, and often where limestone is at the ground surface. ''Hydrangea quercifolia'' is an understory shrub, often in the shade of large oaks, hickories, magnolias, American beech, etc.

Evolution

''Hydrangea quercifolia'', noted by 18th-century botanist William Bartram in his botanizing exploration from the Carolinas to the Florida panhandle in the 1770s. It was slow to enter British and American gardens. In Britain it flowers less profusely and even has a reputation for being tender. In the U.S. its 'more natural' form and texture, compared to the more common ''Hydrangea macrophylla'' cultivars, has increased its use in garden design across the country since the latter 20th century.