The oak-leaved hydrangeais an interesting, yet underrated species among hydrangeas. In addition to decorative flowers, it has extremely decorative leaves, which are its greatest advantage. There are also numerousvarieties of oak-leaved hydrangeawith large, showy inflorescences. See whatcultivation and cutting of oak-leaved hydrangealooks like, as well as how topropagation of oak-leaved hydrangea
Oak hydrangea
Fig. © Emil Gwizdała
Oak hydrangea(Hydrangea quercifolia) grows up to 1.5 m in height at a relatively slow pace, growing with the help of long shoots.It often takes about 2-3 years for it to grow properly. This hydrangea has large, lobed, dark green leaves that fall in winter, but before that they turn intensely reddish-purple in autumn. All year roundthe leaves of the oak-leaved hydrangeaare soft and felt-hairy underneath. Their shape resembles oak leaves, although they are much larger than them.The oak-leaved hydrangea bloomsin summer (July-August) creating large loose inflorescences that adorn the shrub for a long period, until autumn days.
Oak leaf hydrangea - varieties
In addition to the basic species, there are also numerous abundantly floweringvarieties of oak-leaved hydrangeawith large, very decorative inflorescences.
One of the most popular varieties there is aoak-leaved hydrangea 'Snow Queen'with deeply lobed leaves, turning brown-purple with a blue tinge in autumn. The barren flowers are semi-double, white with age turning pink, gathered in folded panicles.Innaoak-leaved hydrangea 'Snow Flake'has large, full, conical 25 cm inflorescences that remain on the plant for a long time. Sterile flowers are semi-double, creamy white, then turn pink. The fertile flowers are small, not very visible, cream-colored.
The varietyof oak-leaved hydrangea 'Harmony' , whose large 30 cm full flowers change their color from white to slightly pink to green.
Blooming oak-leaved hydrangea
Fig. pixabay.com
One of theshorter varieties of oak-leaved hydrangeasis 'Sike's Dwarf', reaching a meter high and wide. Even smaller, reaching only 50 cm in heightLittle Honey 'Brihon'oak hydrangea, at the beginning of the vegetative season it has a golden yellow color, gradually changes its color to light green with time, and finally turns to red. These varieties are perfect for small gardens.
Another interesting variety of oak-leaved hydrangea isoak-leaved hydrangea 'Burgundy' , which is considered to be one of the most interesting varieties in color. The leaves take a deep red shade and stay on the bush even until the beginning of December. Inflorescences reach 30 cm in length. Sterile flowers are white, as in other varieties, with age they turn pink. Fertile flowers are small and inconspicuous.
"Amethyst" hydrangeastands out from other varieties thanks to its attractive, paniculate inflorescences. They are rigidly mounted on the shoot, and with time, when white, they turn red.
Oak leaf hydrangea - autumn color of leaves
Fig. © Emil Gwizdała
Oak hydrangea - cultivation
The soil for growing hydrangeas should be fertile, moist, slightly acidic. The oak-leaved hydrangea grows well in partial shade, on the edge of clusters of trees and shrubs.Inthe cultivation of oak-leaved hydrangeait is important to provide a suitable, quiet and wind-sheltered position. The bushes are usually sold in pots, so planting the oak-leaved hydrangea can be carried out at any time from spring to autumn.
The oak-leaved hydrangea is not fully frost-resistant. It is necessary to protect the plants from frost and wind by making a mound of peat at the foot of the bush, and to cover the entire plant with straw mulch or agrotextile.
Whencultivating the oak-leaved hydrangea , it is worth remembering to water it regularly. In early spring and autumn, it is advisable to mulch the soil under the shrub, and at the beginning of the growing season, sprinkle granulated mineral fertilizer under the plant. Fertilization of oak-leaved hydrangea can also be done with liquid or soluble fertilizer. Then the plants are watered with a solution of fertilizer dissolved in water every 2 weeks in the period from April to the end of July.It is best to use fertilizers specifically designed for hydrangeas.
Oak hydrangea - cut
Oak hydrangeabelongs to the group of plants that do not require annual maintenance pruning. It blooms on last year's shoots, therefore the strong shoots grown at the base of the bush that already have flower buds should not be shortened.Pruning of oak-leaved hydrangeais limited to removing weak, dead shoots that thicken the bush. You can cut dry inflorescences just above the first pair of buds at the end of winter or early spring.
Oak leaf hydrangea - reproduction
Propagation of oak-leaved hydrangeais best done by herbaceous, i.e. non-woody cuttings. We take cuttings from side shoots that are not blooming and are annuals. A 15 cm long seedling is planted in a mixture of peat, sand and heather earth in the ratio (1: 1: 1) and stored in the inspection room at 24 ° C.Hydrangea shoots can be additionally immersed in a rooting for herbaceous cuttings and planted in the ground, covering them with perforated foil. In the springthe seedlings of the oak-leaved hydrangeaare transplanted onto the seedbed, shaded and watered regularly. We plant the hydrangea permanently in the fall.
MSc Eng. Joanna Białowąs
