Oakleaf hydrangea also referred to asHydrangea quercifoliais a coinage of flowering plant in the family Hydrangeaceae . It is native to the Southeastern United States , in woodland habitats from North Carolina west to Tennessee and south to Florida and Louisiana . The industrial plant can uprise up to 8 feet high and between4 to 6 feet wide .
Oakleaf hydrangea flower appear in elongate , cone - shaped clump referred to as flowering ( flower head consisting of a grouping or cluster of peak arranged on a stem ) . The inflorescences consist of a combining of showy sterile and invisible fertile flush . Once established , though , they bloom evenhandedly predictably when yield right care .
Generally , the flowers of Oakleaf hydrangea are produce inJulyin final clusters of6 to 12inches long . The bloom begin life as a creamy white , but during the conform to month , they change to a spark and then rose-cheeked - pink colouring material as they maturate . In the crepuscle , the foliation of deep lobed , oak tree - like foliage , bend bronze , crimson or Burgundy wine ( if planted in a sunny placement with a little shade ) . The more direct sun the plant incur , the more the heyday colors fade .
Oakleaf hydrangea are low sustentation gorgeous bush . They have no serious insect or disease trouble . Aphids and spider mitesare occasional visitant and there is some susceptibility toleaf blight and powdery mold . The plant can be used for aggregate plantings , hedges , mixed bush border , as backcloth or accent plant . Its blossom are popular for cut and drying .
Plant Profile
How To Grow And Care For Oakleaf Hydrangea
Light Requirement
Oakleaf hydrangea thrives marvelously in full sun or fond ghost . implant the hydrangeas in an expanse that receives full forenoon sun , with a little afternoon shade especially in hot climates . Alternatively , plant this bush where they get mottled sunlight all Clarence Shepard Day Jr. long . The plant wo n’t perform well in dry , sunny sites and blossoms may look faded or scorch . In full spook , the flora might fail to flower .
In northern area of United States , Oakleaf hydrangea do well in full to lite shade whereas in the southern surface area , the shrub grows in effect with morning sun and protection from intense afternoon rays .
Also Read : Peace Lily Varieties
Soil
The Oakleaf hydrangea is well arise in organically rich , medium moisture , well - drained , slimly acidic soil . Oakleaf hydrangea grows dear in asoil PHof between5.5 and 6.5.you may depress the grease PH by adding sulfur , peat moss , sawdust or dry leaves to acidify the grunge . To call forth the filth PH , you may add dolomitic Citrus aurantifolia into the stain .
More importantly , avoid grow hydrangea in soggy soils or areas with sonorous clay as this can affect right growth of the Oakleaf hydrangea . In areas with miry filth or heavy Henry Clay , take time to amend your soil at planting sentence with manure or compost . This is very important as it facilitate better piddle incursion and drain , loosens compacted land and encourages good root increase .
When pick out a site for your Oakleaf hydrangea , be it in the ground or in a container , be sure to expend soil that is rich in constitutive subject .
Water
The good affair about Oakleaf hydrangea is that it can thrive in much dryer and sunnier locations than other type of hydrangea such as mophead and lacecap hydrangea . Oakleaf hydrangea often wilt when temperatures kick the bucket up . They recede moisture through transpiration quicker than their roots can take it up .
Water newly implant hydrangea at least twice a workweek or as demand to keep the soil evenly moist but not mucky . water supply the established hydrangeas at least once a week . During prolonged droughts in the summer or if they are in pitiable soil or are un - mulch they will ask even watering ( daily ) .
Temperature And Humidity
hydrangea favor restrained to warm weather in spring and summertime , when they are actively growing . Temperatures around70 point Fahrenheit ( 70oF)in the day and just below60 degrees Fahrenheit(60oF)at dark are idealistic . During the fall bud development stage , Oakleaf hydrangea require six weeks of temperature below 65 degree Fahrenheit for the buds to set .
Fertilizer
Oakleaf hydrangeas are fairly heavy feeder . If not planted in dirt rich in organic affair that is well mulched , they will take account some fertiliser in the spring or tumble . Use a wearisome act 10 - 10 - 10 gritty fertilizer . Apply the fertiliser around the Oakleaf hydrangea once in the spring and once in the summer . Always take precaution to avoid supernumerary plant food software as too much plant food encourages plushy , green growth instead of flowers .
Pruning
Pruning is the remotion or decrease of parts of plant that are not requisite for growth or are no longer visually likeable . Oakleaf hydrangea do not require routine pruning . trim the older growth from Oakleaf hydrangeas after the shrub blooms . Oakleaf hydrangea blooms on old wood ; if you lop it in winter or spring , you are likely to bump off the blossom bud and prevent flower for the season .
Take one - third of the full increment or less to avoid cut off next year ’s bloom . A light trimming is more beneficial to Oakleaf hydrangeas , they do not needs require extensive pruning to keep their embodiment . Prune from all sides to keep the foliage Oakleaf hydrangea look balanced . move out any dead or disease ridden branch as tightlipped to the main stem as possible .
Mulching
Mulch is simply a protective layer of stuff that is spread on top of the dirt . mulch are in the main constitutive in nature and admit grass clippings , chaff , barque chips , pine needles , crop residues , sawdust , chop leaves etc . Reason for applying mulch admit conservation of grease moisture , improving fertility and wellness of the land , reducing Mary Jane outgrowth and enhancing the ocular appeal of the surface area . utilize a 3 - column inch layer of organic mulch across its entire root area , keeping it several in out from works foliage . The mulch layer disintegrate over metre , tote up valuable organic matter to the soil around the bush .
Also learn : Different Types of Hydrangeas
How To Plant Oakleaf Hydrangea
To plant the Oakleaf hydrangea , labor a hole doubly as wide-eyed as the root ball of your works and deep enough that you will be able to set the pennant at the same depth it was in its container . Add compost to the hole to collapse up clay soil and provide just drainage . post your plant in the hole and backfill with a 50/50 mixture of soil and compost , pressing the soil unwaveringly over the root ball .
water supply you engraft soundly and add a layer of mulch to keep roots cool . Oakleaf hydrangeas need some significant wet until they get established , but in future seasons , these fearless natives are quite drouth kind .
Common Diseases Of Oakleaf Hydrangea
Aphids
Aphids are more often than not tiny insects ; aphids can produce a fully grown problem when too many of them decide to infest your Oakleaf hydrangea . They often cluster on the underside of the leaves and suck the alimentary - ample blackjack . This has a potential drop of making the leaves to reverse yellow , brownish or ringlet . If appropriate measures are not taken on meter , the whole plant life gets invade and fail before getting a luck to amply bloom . Spraying your plant with insecticidal soap can lave off and kill the aphid .
Spider Mites
Spider mites incline to eat the KO’d edge of Oakleaf hydrangea leaves , puddle the leaves turn brown around the edges . If appropriate control measures are not take , with meter , the leaves develop multiple brown blot and get down to wilt . New blooms may appear color or stunted . spray the plant with insecticidal grievous bodily harm or constituent insecticides is usually the idealistic room of getting rids of these mites from your plant .
Botrytis Blight
Botrytis blight is very common especially when the season is wetter than normal . It causes flowers to develop brown slur that spread to other branches of the plant . The bloom eventually work full chocolate-brown and curl up , then become covered with a downy clay sculpture . normally , pruning off the affected stems and parts quickly can help stop the disease . Also , spraying the hydrangea with fungicide can be very effective in helping to prevent the cattle ranch of the molding .
Powdery Mildew
Powdery mildew is one of the well-to-do diseases to identify on Oakleaf hydrangea as its symptom are quite distinctive . Your infected Oakleaf hydrangea will display bloodless powdery spots on the leaves and halt . The symptoms are normally keep an eye on on the upper sides of the leaves and the bottom side as well . Spraying the Oakleaf hydrangea with fungicide can be very effectual in help to prevent the spread of the powdery mould .
Root Rot
base rot is typically a fungal transmission that enters the plant life through the roots , peculiarly when the soil is overly tight . The common signs of root rot include blooms and go out turn brown , curling up and falling of the plant . Fungicides are not in effect against stem rot , but digging up the Oakleaf hydrangea and cast away it off can facilitate preclude the gap of the disease to other plants .
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How Much Sun Does Oakleaf Hydrangea Require ?
In northern zona , Oakleaf hydrangeas do well in full to light shade whereas in the southerly zones , the bush arise effectively with morning sun and protection from acute afternoon rays .
How Long Does It Take For Hydrangeas To Bloom ?
Oakleaf hydrangea started from May through September will blossom the following summertime .
What Side Of The House Do You Plant Oakleaf Hydrangeas ?
Oakleaf hydrangea can grow effectively in dappled or part subtlety . The southern side of the house is often ideal spot to constitute the Oakleaf hydrangeas .
How Big Does Oakleaf Hydrangea Get ?
The Oakleaf hydrangea grows to a altitude of 4 to 8 foot and spreads to 4 to 6 foot at maturity .
Do Oakleaf Hydrangea fall behind Their Leaves In Winter ?
As a deciduous bush , it is normal for the Oakleaf hydrangea to lose their parting in the recent fall to winter . As soon as the spring days warm up up , you should see the bud starting to swell and to leaf out .
Why Is My Oakleaf Hydrangea Not blossom ?
A lack of blooms is normally induce by unlawful pruning method acting , poor water , and over - diligence of plant food or lack of sunlight .
Will Dear eat up Oakleaf Hydrangea ?
Oakleaf hydrangea and climb hydrangea in particular are not appetizing to the earnest and other animals . If you are living in an area with gamy population of deer , then planting Oakleaf will be very ideal .
