One of the most handsome plants for landscape designers, Oakleaf Hydrangea is an upright, deciduous shrub with a broad, rounded habit that typically grows 4 to 6 feet tall, spreading by stolons to form mound like colonies. Distinctive, deeply lobed, oak like, shiny deep green leaves to 8 inches long turn attractive shades of bronze, crimson or purple in autumn. Mature stems exfoliate to reveal a rich cinnamon brown inner bark which is attractive in winter. With a long spring to summer bloom period Oakleaf Hydrangea features elongated, 4 to 12 inch long conical clusters of white fragrant flowers which slowly turn pinkish purple with age. It likes moist acid organic laden well-drained soils in full sun or partial shade, the edge of woodlands is ideal.
