Hydrangea quercifolia 'Ruby Slippers'

Oakleaf Hydrangea is an attractive deciduous shrub native to the American South. Bold, large, oak-shaped leaves give this hardy plant an almost tropical appearance. Leaves emerge light green in spring, darken to a deep green, then turn the most beautiful shade of deep red in fall. This shrub pleases through all the seasons: peeling cinnamon-colored bark nicely complements the dried flower panicles.

Flowers on old wood; prune just after flowering to maintain shape if desired.

'Ruby Slippers' is a perfect option for smaller gardens as it reaches only a few feet high and wide. Large white panicles of flowers quickly turn pink then slowly mature to a deep ruby hue.

*Hardy to zone 5, but should be sited in a protected location or otherwise protected in the first few years as it becomes fully established.

Family: Hydrangeaceae

Type: Deciduous Shrub

Height: 2 to 4 ft.

Spread: 2 to 5 ft.

Exposure: Full Sun to Part Shade

Soil Conditions: Average, medium, well-drained soil

Bloom Time: June to July

Bloom Color: White to Pink

Native Range: Southeastern United States

Image Credits:

• Image 1 (white bloom) F. D. Richards from Clinton, MI, CC BY-SA 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
• Image 2 (red bloom) Wikiproject1400 at en.wikipedia, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
• Image 3 (foliage) Ali McEnhill at The Old Dairy