Gatsby Glow Ball™ Oakleaf Hydrangea
Shrub
- Dwarf hydrangea with tidy, rounded habit that looks amazing in containers!
- Native hydrangea with showy white summer flowers & fiery fall foliage.
- Salt-tolerant, great option for urban landscapers.
- Zones 5-9, sun/part sun, 3-4′ tall x 3-4 ′wide at maturity.
ZONE
EXPOSURE
HEIGHT
Description
It's easy to recognize with the big, oak-shaped leaves and fragrant white flowers from oakleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia). This native hydrangea is also one of the few with stunning fall foliage color, turning a stunning red color when temperatures begin to drop. It requires no pruning and is tolerant of heat and shade, making it easy to grow.
Details
Common name: Oakleaf hydrangea
Zone: 5 - 9
Sun exposure: Sun (6+ hours), Part-sun (4-6 hours sun)
Height x width: 3-4' tall x 3-4 ft. wide
Flower color: White, green
Foliage color: Green, turns red in fall
Season of interest: Summer-fall
Bloom time: Midsummer, early fall
Features: Heat tolerant, fall color, container plants, low maintenance, native, pollinator-friendly, salt-tolerant, Proven Winners, small spaces
Uses: Flower gardens, landscaping, specimen, flowering hedge, pollinator gardens, native plant gardens
How to Grow
Sun exposure: Sun (6+ hours), Part-sun (4-6 hours sun)
Water: Average. Oakleaf hydrangeas do not tolerate overwatering or poor drainage.
Space: Min. 4 - 5' apart
Fertilizing: If desired, fertilize in early spring, once the ground has thawed, with a granular rose fertilizer.
Winterizing: Oakleaf hydrangeas are very hardy and easily withstand harsh winters, so they need no special care. A good 2-3" layer of mulch helps protect the shallow roots. Do not cut back or prune oakleaf hydrangeas (see below for more info).
Maintenance: Oakleaf hydrangeas bloom on old wood, which means they have their flower buds for the following season all through winter, so they should not be cut back. It is best to avoid pruning or trimming them all together, though you may selectively remove branches to develop a nice shape and silhouette if desired.
Plant spacing is based on the ultimate width of the plants. This figure is normally given as a range; for example, 3-5’. If you live in a cold climate and/or want plants to fill in more quickly, plan to space at the shorter end of the range. If you live in a warm climate, are on a limited budget, or are willing to wait longer for plants to touch, use the higher end of the range. Using the larger number is recommended when calculating distance from a building or structure. There’s really no such thing as "maximum spacing": if you don’t want your plants to touch, you can space them as far apart as you’d like. All plant spacing is calculated on center, or in other words, the centers of the plants are spaced one half of their eventual width apart:
Unless you are planting in a straight line, as you might for hedges or edging, space your plants in a staggered or zig-zag pattern for a more interesting and naturalistic look:
Not sure just how many plants will fit in your garden? Our calculator gives you the exact amount of plants required for your space. Simply update the values and the calculator will re-calculate accordingly. Spacing information can be found in the 'How to Grow' tab on each plant's page.