Hydrangea quercifolia, oak-leaf hydrangea
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Deciduous Shrubs

Hydrangea quercifolia

oak-leaf hydrangea

HydrangeaceaeNorth America

At a Glance

TypeShrub
HabitMounding
FoliageDeciduous
Height4–8 feet (1.2–2.4 m)
Width4–10 feet (1.2–3 m)
Maturity6 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

5 - 9
Zone 5
Zone 6
Zone 7
Zone 8
Zone 9
These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.
Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Attracts Pollinators
Attracts Butterflies
Drought Tolerant
Native to North America
Maintenancelow

Overview

Hydrangea quercifolia, commonly called oakleaf hydrangea, is a large deciduous shrub in the family Hydrangeaceae native to woodland margins, bluffs, and ravine slopes of the southeastern United States. It is arguably the most ornamentally multi-seasonal of all hydrangeas in temperate gardens: deeply lobed, oak-leaf-shaped leaves 4–10 inches (10–25 cm) across emerge with a bronze flush in spring, mature to rich dark green in summer, and turn a striking crimson-burgundy to wine-purple in autumn — the best fall color of any species hydrangea. Conical flower panicles 4–12 inches (10–30 cm) long open white in June–July, gradually age through creamy-tan to rusty-brown, and the dried panicles persist ornamentally through winter. The exfoliating, cinnamon-brown to orange-brown bark on mature multi-stemmed trunks adds significant winter structure. Plants grow 4–8 feet (1.2–2.4 m) tall and wider than tall, spreading by suckers to form broad, mounding colonies in open conditions. Shade-tolerant and drought-tolerant once established, it thrives in Pacific Northwest woodland gardens with acidic soils. One of the few large-flowered hydrangeas native to North America. A Great Plant Pick for Pacific Northwest gardens.

Native Range

Native to the southeastern United States — Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, Florida, and South Carolina — in woodland margins, bluffs, ravine slopes, and riverbanks, growing in moist to well-drained, acidic, sandy to loamy soils under partial to full shade. Native to North America.

Suggested Uses

Oakleaf hydrangea is one of the most ornamentally rewarding and ecologically valuable large shrubs for Pacific Northwest woodland and shade gardens, delivering interest across all four seasons: spring bronze flush, summer white panicles, exceptional autumn foliage color (the best of any hydrangea), and winter exfoliating bark. A Great Plant Pick for Pacific Northwest gardens. Outstanding in woodland edge plantings, large mixed borders, and naturalistic gardens. Combines beautifully with Fothergilla, Itea, Cercidiphyllum, Cornus, and native ferns. Allow adequate space — plants spread by suckers and benefit from a 6–8 foot (1.8–2.4 m) allocation in each direction.

How to Identify

Oakleaf hydrangea is identified by its large, deeply lobed leaves 4–10 inches (10–25 cm) that closely resemble oak leaves — typically with five to seven sharply pointed lobes — covered with white to rust-colored hairs on the underside in summer. Conical white flower panicles 4–12 inches (10–30 cm) long appear June–July. The undersides of the leaves and the stems are often covered with woolly white hairs when young. The exfoliating cinnamon-brown to orange-brown bark on older stems is diagnostic in winter. Distinguished from H. paniculata by the deeply lobed (not simple ovate) leaves; from H. arborescens by the distinctively lobed leaves and exfoliating bark.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height4' - 8'
Width/Spread4' - 10'

Reaches mature size in approximately 6 years

Colors

Flower Colors

white

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

red
purple

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~6 weeks
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Summer
Oakleaf hydrangea blooms in early to mid-summer, typically June through July in Pacific Northwest gardens, over four to six weeks. Conical to broadly pyramidal panicles 4–12 inches (10–30 cm) long open white and gradually age through cream and tan to rusty-brown by autumn. The blooms are produced on the previous season's old wood — avoid autumn pruning, which removes next year's flower buds. Dried panicles persist through winter, providing extended ornamental value.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

White; conical to broadly pyramidal panicles 4–12 inches (10–30 cm); aging to cream, tan, and rusty-brown

Foliage Description

Large, deeply lobed, oak-leaf-shaped, 4–10 inches (10–25 cm); dark green with woolly white-hairy undersides; crimson-burgundy to wine-purple in autumn

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun
Partial Shade
Requires 3-8 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.0 - 6.5(Acidic)
357912
Soil Types
loampeatsand
Drainage
well drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

5–8 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Plant in partial shade to full sun in moist, well-drained, acidic, humus-rich soil with a pH of 5.0–6.5. In Pacific Northwest gardens, oakleaf hydrangea performs best with partial shade protection from afternoon sun, though it tolerates full sun where moisture is consistent. More drought-tolerant than bigleaf hydrangeas once established. Mulch generously to retain moisture and maintain acidic soil conditions. Do not prune in autumn — this removes next year's flower buds. Minimal fertilization needed; avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers.

Pruning

Prune only in early spring (February–March) before new growth begins. Remove dead stems at the base and any winter-damaged branch tips. Do not cut back healthy stems — oakleaf hydrangea blooms on old wood and autumn or winter pruning eliminates the current year's flowers. If size reduction is necessary, prune immediately after flowering ends (August). Plants spread by suckers; remove unwanted suckers at ground level in spring to control colony spread.

Pruning Schedule

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early spring

Maintenance Level

low

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Toxic to pets and humans