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Hydrangea quercifolia 'Ruby Slippers'
Oakleaf Hydrangea
Plant Type:
DECIDUOUS SHRUBSHydrangea quercifolia ‘Ruby Slippers’ – 'Ruby Slippers' is a hybrid from 'Snow Queen' crossed with 'Pee Wee' through the fine work of the shrub breeding program at the National Arboretum. Beginning in early summer the rounded shrub is deluged with 9 inch long white cone-shaped flowers held upright atop the leaves; the inflorescences soon shade to light pink and mature rose red. The dark green leaves which resemble those of oak turn burgundy-red in autumn. 'Ruby Slippers' is fine in the foundation, beautiful facing down tall evergreens and would be perfectly at home in the perennial garden. It's a terrific shrub that is not garnering nearly enough attention from gardeners... Dudes! For gardeners towards the northern end of its range spring planting is advised.
Characteristics and Attributes for Hydrangea quercifolia 'Ruby Slippers'
Season of Interest (Flowering)
- Summer / Autumn
Season of Interest (Foliage)
- Spring / Summer / Autumn
Interesting Bark
- Exfoliating
Autumn Interest
- Autumn Leaf Color
- Showy Buds
- Fruit / Berries / Seed Heads
Light
- Full Sun
- Mostly Sunny
Attributes
- Shrub Border
- Border
- Hedge
- Edging
- Hedgerow
- Massing
- 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.