For me Oak Leaf Hydrangea is the Queen of the Shade Garden.
Generous with her subjects she enhances any combination of plants with her distinct foliage and stature. All have great fall color, interesting winter bark and dried flower heads. Absolutely necessary for "good bones" in the garden.

H. quercifolia 'Alice'

Huge, Huge Oakleaf. Up to 12' high! Oy vey. Large flower clusters up to 10" and each flower is almost half-dollar size. What a great "Grudge Hedge" for the shade or AM sun. (More sun tolerant than the species.) Perhaps full sun in Zone 5.

As with any royalty, Oak Leaf Hydrangea requires some devotion. Planting must be perfect. In our clay we plant high (3" of roots above ground level) incorporate Pine Bark mulch into the clay, dig a shallow wide hole, and mulch with pure compost or manure and 1/4 c. blood meal and 1/8 c. 14-7-7 or 12-6-6. Then add 1'' of Hardwood Mulch to finish.

Water each week the first year or plant in rainy season (Nov.). For sandy soil, plant deeper, (1" above grade), amend soil with manure or compost only and fertilizer and hardwood mulch as above. Acidify alkaline soil.

Zone 5-9.

These Plants don't ship well in Summer. We will ship them Fall, Winter and Early Spring only. See shipping