Oakleaf Hydrangea

Oakleaf Hydrangea

Hydrangea quercifolia

Saxifragaceae (Saxifrage Family)

▲ ▼ large shrub, post-flowering with dried flowers remaining

▲ ▼ young shrubs, showing oak-like leaves and coppery-red hairs on new stem growth

Location on campus: in triangle bed northwest of Carrington Hall

Hydrangea quercifolia: Oakleaf Hydrangea

leaves opposite, simple, deciduous, 3-7 lobed in a general ovate shape, like an oak leaf; dark green and glabrous above, white to brown pubescent underneath; 3-8" long and 2/3 to equally wide
stems stout and brown pubescent when young; older stems have prominent lenticels and exfoliating cinnamon-colored bark; pith light brown
flowers have sterile showy and fertile less showy flowers in terminal clusters in mid summer; start out white, to purplish pink, then brown; flowers on current season’s growth
grows 4-6' tall and equally as wide in a rounded outline; produces root suckers to spread more laterally
prefers cool soils, sun to part-shade and moist, well-drained soil-- mulch well
slow to medium growth rate
native to southeastern U.S.