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Hydrangea quercifolia 'Snow Queen'

Oakleaf Hydrangea

Plant Type:

DECIDUOUS SHRUBS

Hydrangea quercifolia‘Snow Queen’ – This is still a fine form with full extra-large cone-shaped panicles. Large leaves shaped like oak leaves turn red-burgundy in fall for quite a long time as the panicles now infused with some deep violet flecking and pink hues are turning brown – all very autumnal. Older dark brown stems exfoliate to exhibit putty-colored fissures. Newest wood is fuzzy dull orange. Next year's flowers set up like Greek urns at tips of stems. Winter interest is modestly good. This form will grow 6 to 7 feet tall eventually. Oakleaf Hydrangea is a great shrub, its nativity is southeastern U.S. but the forms are either bred or simply selected. More sun in the north will insure denser growth and likely more flowers. Some protection from sun in more southerly climes may be indicated. For gardeners towards the northern end of its range spring planting is advised.



Height:

6-7 ft

Spread:

7-8 feet

Colors:

White

Zone:

5 to 9
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Characteristics and Attributes for Hydrangea quercifolia 'Snow Queen'

Season of Interest (Flowering)

  • Late Spring / Summer / Autumn

Season of Interest (Foliage)

  • Spring / Summer / Autumn

Interesting Bark

  • Colored
  • Exfoliating

Autumn Interest

  • Autumn Leaf Color

Nature Attraction

  • Honey Bees & Native Bees
  • Butterflies

Light

  • Sun Tolerant
  • Dappled Shade
  • Morning Sun / Afternoon Shade

Attributes

  • Labyrinth
  • Shrub Border
  • Border
  • Hedge
  • Specimen
  • Hedgerow

Growth Rate in the Garden

  • Medium

Soil

  • Fertile
  • Draining
  • Humus Laden
  • Organic
  • Woodland

Origins

  • Garden Origin

Propagated By

  • Cutting

Genus Overview: Hydrangea quercifolia

Common Name: Oakleaf Hydrangea

This is the Oakleaf Hydrangea which hales from the southeastern part of the U. S. They are all just plain beautiful with bold leaves that bear a similar shape to those of Red Oaks. The flowers are large paniculate cones opening white in summer. The flowers become increasingly infused with pink as the season progresses. Flowers continue to deepen and darken as the beautiful leaves turn a rich wine burgundy. The burgundy foliage remains on the shrub for many weeks in autumn as the flowers finally turn brown. When the foliage finally drops you are left with exfoliating wood which displays two colors, putty-colored inner wood and very dark brown outer wood. Next years' buds looking like stylized Greek urns set atop soft buff-orange fuzzy stems. It is a beautiful shrub endowed with four season interest. Full sun to part shade in the north, plant them in more shade down south. Fertile draining soils will support this plant. All of the following are cutting grown. All hydrangeas may be pruned back so that you will avoid the extra handling charge if necessary but only if this is deemed necessary.