In 1775 William Bartram, American naturalist, fist described the oak leaf hydrangea. He was exploring and collecting new plant specimens in south central Georgia and came across a hydrangea with ‘oak-like leaves.’ Thus, the scientific name for these shrubs, Hydrangea quercifolia, is credited to Bartram. (Quercus is the genus name for 600 species of oaks and literally means ‘oak tree’ in latin.)

 

Oak leaf hydrangea adds brilliant burgundy fall color as well as panicles of blooms to the home garden. They are shade tolerant plants, making them perfect understory bushes, and good for north facing gardens that don’t receive very much light.

 

 

 

We have three varieties of oak leaf hydrangea at Urban Roots.

‘Snow queen’ has upright with panicles of flowers and burgundy foliage in the fall. ‘Amethyst’ has white panicles of flowers that turn wine red and retina their color when dried. ‘Munchkin’ has white flowers than age to pink and is a more compact variety.