One of the most beautiful fall color shrubs is the Oak Leaf Hydrangea. Oak leaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia) is a native plant to Tennessee and surrounding states and can do quite well in semi shady to part sun conditions. This hydrangea is easily identified by the oak shaped leaves which are a dark green throughout the year until fall. In the fall they turn a series of red to purple tints.
We planted our oak leaf hydrangeas mixed along the shady side of our house mixed with hostas, hellebores, and heuchera plants. The deer never seem to bother our oak leaf hydrangeas which is great because the deer are all around us.
Can Oak Leaf Hydrangea be Propagated?
I’ve found that these plants can be propagated well in the right conditions from stem tip cuttings. You need to remove most of the leaves to do so. (For Propagation See: Oak Leaf Hydrangea cuttings)
Growing Details for Oak Leaf Hydrangea
USDA zones 5-9
Part Sun/Part Shade (morning sun afternoon shade is ideal in the south.
Size 5-8ft high (depending on variety)
Slightly Acidic Soil
Prune After Flowering (Oak Leaf Hydrangea flowers on old wood – previous season)