Polk County Master Gardeners
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Oakleaf Hydrangea
Oakleaf Hydrangea is that rarest of garden jewels: a plant that is
attractive all year long. In the spring, leaves reminiscent of oak leaves emerge
a soft gray and rapidly reach full size (up to 8 inches long) and turn a rich
green. The underside stays a soft gray so that you have both colors when the
wind blows.
As spring progresses, the flowers form. These are spectacular 4 to 12 inch
long panicles in a creamy white. They stay on the plant far into the winter. As
summer winds down, the panicles turn a rosy pink and then a papery brown by
fall. At this stage, they make great additions to dried arrangements.
Then the real show starts as the leaves turn red, purple and orange for the
fall. The intensity of the colors will vary with the weather and the location of
the plant.
After the leaves have gone, the exfoliating bark provides interest all
winter. It is a rich, cinnamon-brown color; the younger branches are covered at
the tips with lighter brown velvet.
As if this were not enough, Oakleaf Hydrangeas do well in the shade and have
very few insect problems. They will need some extra water during our dry,
Arkansas summers, and they appreciate a soil rich in organic matter.
Cultivars vary from “PeeWee” that grows only 4 feet tall and 3 feet wide to
full sized plants that will reach 4 to 8 feet tall and spread 6 to 12 feet wide.
As with all selections for your garden, be sure to select a variety that fits
the space you have available.
Oakleaf Hydrangeas make a good background plant as the showy flowers are
easily visible at a distance. Or they do well in front of an evergreen hedge
where the fall color and winter bark will show to best advantage.
Be sure to remember to check with local merchants for a copy of the Polk
County Fair Catalog and plan to bring your entries to the Fairgrounds on
Tuesday, September 3 from 1:00 pm to 6:00 pm or on Wednesday, September 4 from
8:00 am until noon.
By Barbara M. Tobias
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