Their lobed leaves, as you can probably guess by the name, look a lot like oak tree leaves. Test the soil pH to make sure it is alkaline with a pH above 7. However, the procedure is not generally used for trees or shrubs that produce a single root system like hydrangeas, where removal of a large portion of the root system results in the plant's demise. It is more prudent to leave at least 18 inches of wood to ensure a supportive base for the flowers. Bigleaf hydrangea prefers morning sun and afternoon shade. It is prized for its long-lasting flowers and its beautiful fall foliage colors. Thanks to Robin Mayfield for suggesting this great plant for shade. But even the most green-thumbed of us can be left wondering why our hydrangeas didn’t bloom and—though we hate to admit it—why our Northern neighbors’ hydrangeas are so much more hearty. If you planted a young hydrangea in a space too small for your now-mature shrub, division might seem a way of solving your size problem and doubling your plant collection. . Choose a location where the shrub will receive morning or evening sunshine with afternoon shade. Unlike other hydrangeas, Oak Leafdoesvery well here. Bigleaf (Hydrangea macrophylla) hydrangeas are the most planted hydrangea species in the United States, famous for both their snowball blossom shape and their amazing color change as soil acidity changes in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 5 through 9. Rooting Hydrangea Cuttings in 5 Easy Steps. Tamp it down firmly. Most have large, fragrant flowers. The leaves on the Oakleaf hydrangeas will "color up" best in the fall if they receive some sun. The flowers start out white, gradually changing to pink over the summer and orange-red by autumn. The Oakleaf Hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia) is hardy from zone 5 to zone 9, so it can be widely grown. Hydrangea pruning time for Oak Leaf hydrangeas is right after flowering and the beginning of fall or the early winter. This works well for some plants whose roots form ever-increasing clumps or offsets like asters (Aster spp.) Use a sharp garden spade to divide an 8- to 12-inch section of stems and roots from the main bush. If you planted your hydrangea correctly, you should find that growing oakleaf hydrangeas is not difficult. These native shrubs are virtually disease and pest free and, once established, are drought tolerant. Oakleaf hydrangea's sprawling habit can be controlled by pinching off its shoot tips. All offer large flower clusters in shades ranging from white to deep purple. Alas, that is not to be. Place the new hydrangea into the hole and slide the plastic sheeting out from under it. Mix lime into the backfill soil to adjust the pH if it is below 7. If you have space for only one new plant in your garden, the oak leaf hydrangea should be at the top of your list. . Wait until the hydrangea plant is dormant before splitting the plant. When gardeners talk about division of perennials, they mean digging up the root clump of a plant and dividing it into two or more separate plants. . Push the backfill soil into the hole uniformly around the hydrangea roots. They’re winter hardy to zone 5.; Oakleaf blossoms turning pink. Water the new hydrangea after the hole is filled to help settle the soil around the roots. Oakleaf hydrangeas (Hydrangea quercifolia) are deciduous shrubs that are winter hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness zones 5 to 9. © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. Set the clump with the plastic around the root mass into the newly dug planting hole. The big thing is to not sweat it! The best time for pruning (deadheading) Oakleaf hydrangeas as soon as the clusters of flowers start to fade. Remove only the shoot tips, not flowering shoots. Tamp down the soil at the bottom of the hole. You want to … Hydrangeas are one of America's favorite plants, but oakleaf hydrangea offers attributes that common garden hydrangeas don't. Most experts say the cutting will work best if taken from a branch that did not flower this year. Push a dirt shovel into the soil just beyond the edge of the root mass of the separated clump. Hydrangeas for Cold Areas If you’re planting hydrangeas in colder regions, panicle hydrangea (the type that can be grown as a tree) is the one you want, as it is the most winter-hardy. Sanitize your sharpest pruners by dabbing a cotton ball into rubbing alcohol … I have many, many hydrangeas in my yard and they are easy to grow. When you prepare to prune your Oakleaf hydrangea you want to remove older growth. This is a wild American plant from the South, but this beautiful Hydrangea is less well-known and it should certainly be planted a lot more, especially now that there is a beautiful red-flowering form, the Ruby Slippers Hydrangea . All hydrangeas accept pruning, but be sure to clip at the right time. Always avoid cutting off the blossoms for next year. ), those popular garden shrubs with huge pompom or panicle flower clusters, are neither size reduced nor propagated by root division. Pot the clump up in a container and keep it moist if it cannot be replanted immediately. Does the Limelight Hydrangea Bloom on New Wood? Drought Tolerant: Oakleaf hydrangeas also hold up better to dry weather and sandy soil than other types. Form a 2- to 3-inch-high ring of soil around the new hydrangea at the edge of the transplant hole. Hydrangeas are easy to grow in well-drained soil, which should contain plenty of organic matter or humus. Climbing hydrangea (Hydrangea petiolaris) round out our list. While these are the best times for moving hydrangea bushes, you can really do it any time during the year without killing the plant, provided it’s not in the heat of summer. At full size, oakleaf hydrangeas can range anywhere from 4-7 feet tall. Hydrangeas (Hydrangea spp. You can prune your oakleaf hydrangea from late winter to early spring, although March tends to be the best time – particularly if you are trying to rejuvenate your hydrangea. Although you can't divide overly large hydrangea plants to bring them down to size, you can use garden clippers every year to reduce their height and width. How To Plant Hydrangeas. How to Transplant a Hydrangea Bush in Spring, How to Grow a Pia Hydrangea as a Container Plant, How to Care for Hydrangea Macrophylla Venice, Missouri Botanical Garden: Hydrangea Quercifolia, Clemson University Cooperative Extension: Home & Garden Information Center: Hydrangea, North Carolina State University: Planting Trees and Shrubs. Tamp the soil lightly while backfilling. Dig a 2-foot-diameter by 1-foot-deep planting hole for the hydrangea division with a dirt shovel. Bigleaf hydrangea responds to severa… You should start by removing faded flowerheads in spring after the frost. Fill in the hole left by the removal of the hydrangea clump with backfill soil. Pull the plastic sheeting up around the root mass to keep the roots and soil intact. by Connie Oswald Stofko Here’s a question from a reader: Hello , I was wondering if you know if it would be OK for me to deadhead my oakleaf hydrangea or if that would negatively affect next year’s blooms somehow. Native to the American Southeast, this outstanding shrub delivers all the benefits of native plants, plus year-round beauty to refresh and inspire.In small spaces or large landscapes, these simple basics can help you make this low-maintenance native your own: Native to the American Southwest, oak leaf hydrangeas are fast becoming popular. If you want to reduce the size of hydrangea or get the desired shape, you need to prune it in the spring.