Dwarf oakleaf hydrangea ‘Ruby Slippers’

* Common name: Dwarf oakleaf hydrangea ‘Ruby Slippers’

* Botanical name: Hydrangea quercifolia ‘Ruby Slippers’

* What it is: A new compact version of our native oakleaf hydrangea that grows about one-third smaller than most. Although plant is smaller, the flowers are still full-sized (8-9 inches), and so are the leaves (hand-sized and scalloped like oak leaves). Cone-shaped flower clusters start out white in early summer and quickly turn pink. Leaves turn deep maroon in fall.

* Size: 3½ feet tall, 5 feet wide.

* Where to use: Best in part shade or dappled sunlight, but will tolerate full sun if kept watered in droughts. Works as a house- or patio-corner plant, massed in a woodland garden or along a wood’s edge or shady border.

* Care: Protect young plants (first year or two) with wire cylinders to prevent rabbit nibbling of the tender wood. Plant in rich, well drained soil and mulch with 2-3 inches of shredded bark. Fertilizer usually not needed. If size-control pruning is needed, do it right after the plant finishes blooming in mid-summer. Always cut back to a branch joint.

* Great partner: Underplant with Russian cypress, a soft-needled, light-green and low-growing evergreen. Crested iris or Allegheny spurge are good shady-perennial underplantings that are also natives.

— George Weigel