Hydrangea Quercifolia ‘Ruby Slippers’ 2 Gal

Oakleaf Hydrangea - Ruby Slippers

Hydrangea quercifolia ‘Ruby Slippers’

"Toto, I've a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore."

Exceptionally large, white blooms in summer that age to extravagant deep pinks to reds, as stunning as Dorothy's magical ruby red slippers! Dark green, deeply lobed oak-like foliage turns a fiery scarlet and burgundy in fall, echoing the beautiful flowers. Compact form works in smaller landscapes and is both beautiful and useful for mass planting, flowering hedges, or borders, as a specimen - and absolutely superb cut flowers (we love them for this)! Deciduous. 

In time, branches will develop an interesting exfoliating habit featuring cinnamon-colored bark revealed under brown papery bark - most notable in winter.  With the large flowers, leaves, and striking bark, use these plants to add textural boldness to the garden.

Oakleaf Hydrangeas are native to the US South.

Ideal for Butterfly Gardens, Native Gardens, Moon Gardens, Pollinator Gardens, Rain Gardens, Winter Gardens, and more.

Oakleaf Hydrangeas thrive in rich, moist, well-draining soil although they can tolerate drought once established.

🦋In NC, they are the host plant for at least 1 colorful moth, the Hydrangea Sphinx (Darapsa versicolor) and the nectar plant for at least 1 butterfly, the Edwards' Hairstreak (Satyrium edwardsii). 

🐦Help birds! Songbirds enjoy eating the seeds from these plants.

Full sun to partial shade.

4'T x 5'W.

Zones 5-9, cold hardy down to -20F.

💚Plant Nerd: Developed by the US National Arboretum from a cross of 'Snow Queen' and 'Pee Wee', and was released to the plant world in 2010. There's no place like home - and the garden!

These plants bloom on old wood, so if you ever decide to prune them, it's best to prune them immediately after flowering.