Hydrangea quercifolia Bartram. Subgenus: Hydrangea. Section: Hydrangea. Common name: Oakleaf Hydrangea, Greybeard, Old Man's Beard. Phenology: May-Jul. Habitat: Native in hammocks, moist forests, also in disturbed areas, thickets, or forests adjacent to urban or suburban areas. Distribution: C. and sw. TN, south through w. GA, AL, and MS to Panhandle FL and e. LA; scattered elsewhere as a remnant or escape from cultivation. Boufford & Wood (1977) described a purportedly native occurrence in nw. SC, but it seems possible that this is an escape from cultivation (R. Clark, pers. comm.). This southeastern native is a spectacular garden plant, frequently planted, and sometimes persisting or possible escaping.
Origin/Endemic status: Endemic
Synonymy ⓘ: = Ar, C, F, Fl5, FNA12, G, K4, NE, S, S13, Tn, WH3; = n/a — RAB. Basionym: Hydrangea quercifolia Bartram 1791
Links to other floras: = Hydrangea quercifolia - FNA12
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Heliophily ⓘ: 4
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© Joey Shaw source | Original Image ⭷
© Alan Cressler: Hydrangea quercifolia, sterile flowers, Flat Shoal Creek, Harris County, Georgia 1 by Alan Cressler source | Original Image ⭷
© Richard & Teresa Ware CC-BY-NC, permission granted to NCBG | Original Image ⭷
© Alan Cressler: Hydrangea quercifolia, Flat Shoal Creek, Harris County, Georgia 2 by Alan Cressler source | Original Image ⭷
© Richard & Teresa Ware CC-BY-NC, permission granted to NCBG | Original Image ⭷
© Scott Ward | Original Image ⭷
© Gary P. Fleming | Original Image ⭷
© Emily Oglesby | Original Image ⭷
© Grant Morrow Parkins | Original Image ⭷
© Scott Ward | Original Image ⭷
© Scott Ward | Original Image ⭷Feedback
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Horticultural Information
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Height: 6-8 ft.; width 6-8 ft.
plant sale text: Oakleaf hydrangea is the showiest of the North American hydrangeas. This large shrub has sizeable panicles of white flowers which fade to pink and then brown after pollination. The spent flowers can be used in flower arrangements. Fall colors range from orange, yellow, red to burgundy and surpasses that of the oaks. For showy fall colors make sure your plant receives sun for the better part of the day with shade in the latter part of the afternoon. If you wish, cut the plant back in winter to control its size.
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cultural notes:
germination code: 1, 4
native range: southeastern United States
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