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Hydrangea quercifolia 'Harmony'

Oakleaf Hydrangea

Plant Type:

DECIDUOUS SHRUBS

Hydrangea quercifolia 'Harmony' - Pure white fully double florets are densely compacted on large, rotund irregular cone-shaped panicles. The flowers heads are so heavy that they tend to weep under the weight. 'Harmony' begins its lengthy flowering cycle in late spring to early summer lasting well into autumn. Flowers pick up more pink to violet tones as they age and finally turn brown in fall. Dark green leaves resemble oak leaves; these turn sumptuous dark wine-maroon in fall. According to Adam Wheeler from Broken Arrow Nursery in Hamden, Connecticut 'Harmony' tends to suffer some winter damage there; in that, we feel it may be a shrub of more southern provenance and suggest that it may perform better in USDA Zone 6 southward. Site in full to part sun, certainly more sun in the northern end of the range. Plant Hydrangea quercifolia 'Harmony' in good garden soil. For gardeners towards the northern end of its range spring planting is advised. Established potted Oakleaf Hydrangea, cutting grown.


Height:

5 ft

Spread:

5 ft

Colors:

White

Zone:

(5)6 to 9
What is my hardiness zone?

Characteristics and Attributes for Hydrangea quercifolia 'Harmony'

Season of Interest (Flowering)

  • Summer / Autumn

Season of Interest (Foliage)

  • Spring / Summer / Autumn

Interesting Bark

  • Exfoliating

Autumn Interest

  • Showy Buds
  • Fruit / Berries / Seed Heads
  • Autumn Leaf Color

Light

  • Morning Sun / Afternoon Shade
  • Full Sun

Attributes

  • Shrub Border
  • Hedge
  • Border
  • Hedgerow
  • Drought Tolerant
  • Specimen
  • Foundation

Growth Rate in the Garden

  • Medium

Soil

  • Draining
  • Fertile

Origins

  • Garden Origin

Propagated By

  • Cutting Grown

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.