Hydrangea quercifolia 'Ruby Slippers' - Ruby Slippers Oakleaf Hydrangea

A choice compact garden or massing shrub featuring showy spikes of flowers which emerge white and quickly turn deep pink; interesting deep green foliage with mahogany fall color, and papery bark; somewhat coarse in appearance, best used in groupings

Height: 4 feet. Spread: 5 feet. Sun: full sun, partial shade, full shade. Hardiness zone: 4b.

Ornamental features

Ruby Slippers Hydrangea features bold conical hot pink flowers with white overtones at the ends of the branches from early to mid summer. The flowers are excellent for cutting. It has attractive dark green deciduous foliage. The lobed leaves are highly ornamental and turn an outstanding burgundy in the fall. The peeling brick red bark adds an interesting dimension to the landscape.

Landscape

Ruby Slippers Hydrangea is a multi-stemmed deciduous shrub with an upright spreading habit of growth. Its relatively coarse texture can be used to stand it apart from other landscape plants with finer foliage.

This is a relatively low maintenance shrub, and is best pruned in late winter once the threat of extreme cold has passed. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Recommended for: Mass Planting, General Garden Use, Container Planting.

Planting and growing

Ruby Slippers Hydrangea will grow to be about 4 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 5 feet. It tends to fill out right to the ground and therefore doesn't necessarily require facer plants in front. It grows at a slow rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 30 years.

This shrub performs well in both full sun and full shade. It prefers to grow in average to moist conditions, and shouldn't be allowed to dry out. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution, and will benefit from being planted in a relatively sheltered location. Consider applying a thick mulch around the root zone in winter to protect it in exposed locations or colder microclimates. This is a selection of a native North American species.

Photo courtesy of NetPS Plant Finder.