Oakleaf hydrangea Snow Queen
Cone-shaped white flower of oakleaf hydrangea ‘Snow Queen.’
* Common name: Oakleaf hydrangea Snow Queen(R)
* Botanical name: Hydrangea quercifolia ‘Flemygea’
* What it is: Mid-size flowering shrub with large, oak-like leaves and large, white cone-shaped flower clusters from mid-June through July. Leaves turn deep, rich burgundy for weeks in fall, and winter bark is cinnamon-colored and peeling like a miniature birch tree.
* Size: About 6 feet tall and wide. Can go bigger but best maintained at about that size.
* Where to use: Part shade or dappled sunlight is ideal, although it will tolerate full sun if kept watered in droughts. ‘Snow Queen’ is most at home along a wood’s edge, shady border or massed among trees. Attractive enough for specimen use along foundations or at house corners.
* Care: Protect young plants with wire cylinders to prevent rabbit nibbling of the tender wood. Plant in rich, well drained soil and mulch with 2-3 inches of bark mulch and you’ll probably never need to fertilize. If necessary to prune for size control, do so right after the plant finishes blooming in mid-summer. Always cut back to a branch joint. Bug or disease problems rare.
* Great partner: Surround with Russian cypress (Microbiota decussata), a soft, light-green and low-growing evergreen. For a flowering partner, try a purple-blooming hardy geranium, such as ‘Rozanne’ or ‘Johnson’s Blue.’
Fall foliage of oakleaf hydrangea ‘Snow Queen.’
Hi George, Have any of your readers had trouble with newly planted Rhododendrons this year? I established a large new area at woods edge this year and mixed Rhodos with Oak Leaf Hydrangea and Hosta. The Hydrangeas are flourishing and the Rhodos wither and die. I replaced the Rhodos from another nursery and those died as well. I have planted enough around my property to know how to do it properly…right depth, right size hole, proper watering etc. I even have one that I planted in early Spring that is now shriveling up. Any advice would be appreciated. PS I like your new book…don’t stop writing them.