Native Plant Database

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Hydrangea quercifolia (Oakleaf hydrangea)
Bransford, W.D. Mrs.

Hydrangea quercifolia Bartr.

Oakleaf hydrangea, Oak-leaf hydrangea

Hydrangeaceae (Hydrangea Family)

USDA Symbol: hyqu3

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

A mound-shaped shrub, 3-12 ft. tall. Multiple stems are sparingly branched with picturesque canes. Older stems are exfoliating to reveal a rich, brown inner bark. The showy inflorescence of greenish flowers, turns white then purplish and persists on the bush until mid-winter. The foliage, shaped something like that of red oak, becomes colorful in fall.

 

From the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Shrub
Size Class: 6-12 ft.
Leaf Color: Green

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White , Green , Purple
Bloom Time: Jun , Jul

Distribution

USA: AL , FL , GA , LA , MS , NC , SC , TN , DC
Native Distribution: FL Panhandle & GA to LA
Native Habitat: Damp woods; river banks
USDA Native Status: L48(N)

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Medium
Light Requirement: Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist
Soil pH: Circumneutral (pH 6.8-7.2)
CaCO3 Tolerance: Medium
Soil Description: Moist, fertile, well-drained soils.
Conditions Comments: Susceptible to sunscald, chlorosis in alkaline soils, and winter dieback. Many weak, brittle canes are easily broken in wind and ice. Forms colonies from a shallow root system. Canes can be cut to the ground every two or three years to keep the shrub smaller, but if the canes are allowed to grow, the naturally peeling bark is attractive. Pest free. Prune immediately after flowering.

Benefit

Use Wildlife: Low.
Conspicuous Flowers: yes

Propagation

Description: Propagate by seed or cuttings. Softwood cuttings should be taken early. Asexual propagation is the usual means of propagation because of a wide variability in seedlings.
Seed Collection: Not Available
Seed Treatment: Seeds require no sepcial treatment but need careful handling because they are so small.
Commercially Avail: yes
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PlantWise: Native Alternatives to Invasive Plants

Hydrangea quercifolia (Oakleaf hydrangea) is a PlantWise native alternative for:

   Broussonetia papyrifera (paper mulberry)
   Rhodotypos scandens (jetbead)
   Viburnum opulus var. opulus (European cranberrybush)

Find Seed or Plants

View propagation protocol from Native Plants Network.

From the National Suppliers Directory

According to the inventory provided by Associate Suppliers, this plant is available at the following locations:

LAMTREE FARM - Warrensville, NC

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:

Delaware Nature Society - Hockessin, DE
Texas Discovery Gardens - Dallas, TX
Crosby Arboretum - Picayune, MS
* Available Online from Wildflower Center Store

Bibliography

Gardening with Native Plants of the South (1994) Wasowski and Wasowski
* Native Alternatives to Invasive Plants (2006) Burrell, C. C.

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

View Recommended Species page

Additional resources

USDA: Find Hydrangea quercifolia in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Hydrangea quercifolia in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Hydrangea quercifolia

Metadata

Record Modified: 2009-02-18
Research By: TWC Staff

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