Hydrangea ‘Ruby Slippers’

This week, we received a shipment of ‘Ruby Slippers’ oakleaf hydrangea. If you’ve been afraid of adding an oakleaf hydrangea to your garden because they get so large, then consider ‘Ruby Slippers‘. This fine variety is a semi-dwarf and and in its fifth year in my garden, it is a compact 3 1/2 feet high by 4 feet wide. It was developed at the U.S. Arboretum as a cross between ‘Snow Queen‘ and ‘Pee Wee‘.

In June, large conical blooms (up to 10 inches long) of pure white appear –

By late August, the blooms begin to show a trace of rose pink –

By late September into October, the blooms fade to a deeper red –

The foliage is also spectacular in the fall –

Oakleaf hydrangeas (Hydrangea quercifolia) get their name from the appearance of the leaves, which resemble oak leaves. They perform well in fertile, well-drained soils. Partial shade is good but they will also be okay in full sun as long as they have enough moisture. There are no serious pests or disease issues. Use this dramatic shrub as a focal point in small gardens or as a companion to other border plants. They can also be massed together for a stunning low hedge.