Oakleaf hydrangea Hydrangea quercifolia 'Sike's Dwarf'
ABOUT
Hydrangea quercifolia 'Sike's Dwarf', commonly known as the oakleaf hydrangea, exhibits distinctive foliage and beautiful bloom characteristics that make it a favorite among garden enthusiasts. The plant bears a striking resemblance to oak trees in terms of leaf shape. Its leaves are deeply lobed, resembling those of an oak, and they have a rich, green color that turns to magnificent shades of red, bronze, and purple in the fall, providing year-round interest. The attractive flowers of the oakleaf hydrangea are another point of interest. They are arranged in large, cone-shaped clusters, known as panicles, which can be quite long. These flowers typically start out as a soft white and gradually mature to a rosy-pink as the season progresses, adding a charming aspect to the plant's appearance. The blooms are known for both their beauty and the length of time they remain on the plant, often lasting through the summer and into fall. As it matures, the bark of the oakleaf hydrangea exfoliates, revealing a rich, brown inner bark that adds another layer of visual appeal, particularly during the winter months when the leaves have fallen. The overall shrubby habit of the plant, with its multiple stems and bushy growth, makes it an excellent choice for borders, foundations, or as a stand-alone specimen in a landscape. With its unique foliage, changing colors, long-lasting blooms, and attractive bark, the oakleaf hydrangea creates multiple seasons of interest.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Hydrangeaceae
Synonyms
Dwarf Oakleaf Hydrangea, Sike's Dwarf Oakleaf Hydrangea
Common names
Hydrangea quercifolia 'Sike's Dwarf'.
ToxicityTo humans
Oakleaf hydrangea is not considered highly toxic to humans, but it does contain compounds called cyanogenic glycosides, which can release cyanide when ingested. Symptoms of oakleaf hydrangea poisoning are rare, but if parts of the plant are eaten in large quantities, it could potentially lead to nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, diarrhea, and sweating. In severe cases, cyanide poisoning can be life-threatening, causing difficulty breathing, seizures, and even coma. However, such extreme reactions are uncommon as it would require consuming a significant amount of plant material.
To pets
Oakleaf hydrangea is considered mildly toxic to pets. It contains cyanogenic glycosides that can release cyanide when ingested. If a pet consumes parts of the oakleaf hydrangea, it might experience symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, and lethargy. In rare cases and with large amounts ingested, more severe symptoms like difficulty breathing and seizures could occur due to cyanide poisoning. Pet owners should seek veterinary care if they suspect their pet has eaten any part of the plant.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
White
Height
3 feet [0.91 meters]
Spread
4 feet [1.22 meters]
Plant type
Shrub
Hardiness zones
5
Native area
Southeastern United States
Benefits
General Benefits- Compact Size: 'Sike's Dwarf' is a smaller variety of Oakleaf Hydrangea, making it suitable for smaller gardens or spaces where a full-size hydrangea would be too large.
- Seasonal Interest: Offers interest across seasons with white summer blooms, fall color change, and exfoliating winter bark.
- Drought Tolerance: Once established, this variety has good drought tolerance, reducing the need for frequent watering.
- Attracts Pollinators: The flowers attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies, supporting local ecosystems.
- Low Maintenance: Requires minimal pruning and care once established, making it a good choice for gardeners of all skill levels.
- Shade Tolerance: Can thrive in partial shade, where many other sun-loving hydrangeas might not perform as well.
- Durability: Exhibits resistance to pests and diseases, contributing to its longevity and reducing the need for chemical treatments.
- Texture and Color: Adds texture to garden designs with its large, lobed leaves and provides vivid color with its flowers and fall foliage.
- Versatility: Works well in a variety of landscape applications, from mass plantings to specimen plantings or as a foundational shrub in mixed borders.
- Naturalizing: Can be used for naturalistic plantings, fitting well into woodland gardens and helping to create a more natural aesthetic.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Pressed Leaf Art: The unique shaped leaves of the Oakleaf Hydrangea can be pressed and dried to create botanical art pieces or to embellish cards and bookmarks.
- Photography Prop: The attractive flowers and foliage make Oakleaf Hydrangea ideal as a background or focal point in garden photography.
- Bonsai: Some enthusiasts may use the Oakleaf Hydrangea for bonsai due to its interesting bark and foliage, though it is not a traditional bonsai species.
- Educational Tool: Due to its distinct seasonal changes, it can be used in schools or educational programs to teach about plant life cycles and seasons.
- Landscape Design: Oakleaf Hydrangea can be used in garden design courses as an example of a plant that provides year-round interest.
- Leaf Castings: The deeply lobed leaves can be used to make decorative concrete castings for garden accents.
- Watercolor Painting: Artists may use the flowers and leaves of the Oakleaf Hydrangea as subjects for watercolor paintings or other botanical illustrations.
- Garden Themes: It can be used to contribute to a woodland garden theme, providing a native plant aspect to the design.
- Seasonal Decorations: Dried flower heads can be sprayed with paint and used in autumnal wreaths or arrangements.
- Literary Inspiration: The plant's dramatic blooms and foliage may serve as inspiration for poetry, prose, or as a metaphor in literary works.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiOakleaf hydrangea is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityOakleaf hydrangea is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Heartfelt Emotions: The lush and voluminous blooms of the Oakleaf Hydrangea often symbolize abundance and deep, heartfelt emotions, reflecting the fullness of the heart.
- Gratitude: In some cultures, giving Oakleaf Hydrangeas can be a way of expressing thanks and appreciation, making it a popular choice for gifting on special occasions.
- Perseverance: With their ability to withstand various climates and even to rejuvenate after being cut back, these plants can represent persistence and resilience.
- Beauty: The unique, large oakleaf-shaped foliage and the white-to-pink-to-burgundy color transition of the flowers through the seasons is seen as a symbol of beauty and elegance.
WaterOakleaf hydrangeas, including 'Sike's Dwarf', prefer consistent moisture and should be watered deeply once a week, providing about 1 inch of water each time. During hot or dry periods, water twice a week to maintain the soil's moisture levels. Avoid shallow, frequent waterings, as they do not encourage deep root growth. It is best to water in the morning to allow moisture on the leaves to dry throughout the day, which can help prevent leaf diseases. Use a soaker hose or drip irrigation to deliver water directly to the root zone, minimizing evaporation and waste. In a week, aim to provide a total of about 5 gallons of water per plant, adjusted for rainfall or extreme temperatures.
LightOakleaf hydrangeas like 'Sike's Dwarf' thrive in part shade to full sun but prefer protection from the intense afternoon sun. The ideal location would be one where the plant receives morning sunlight and dappled shade in the afternoon, such as the east or northeast side of a building or under the canopy of light trees. Adequate light is important for robust flowering and healthy growth, but too much direct sun can cause leaf scorch, especially in southern climates.
TemperatureOakleaf Hydrangeas, including 'Sike's Dwarf', are well suited to a wide range of temperatures and can generally tolerate minimum temperatures down to around 0 degrees Fahrenheit. They perform best in an environment where the temperature is between 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Although 'Sike's Dwarf' is hardy, it can suffer if exposed to temperatures above 95 degrees Fahrenheit for prolonged periods, especially if nights remain warm.
PruningPruning 'Sike's Dwarf' Oakleaf Hydrangea is mainly done to shape the plant and remove dead or broken branches. Prune immediately after flowering since flower buds form on old wood. Annual pruning isn't strictly necessary, but if you need to shape the plant or manage its size, it's best done in late summer after blooming has finished. Avoid heavy pruning late in the season as this can reduce the number of flowers the following summer.
CleaningAs needed
SoilOakleaf hydrangea thrives in well-draining soil that is rich in organic matter, with a pH of 5.5 to 6.5. A good mix would be equal parts of garden soil, compost, and peat moss, which will help maintain the acidity levels and provide a fertile growing environment.
RepottingOakleaf hydrangea is relatively slow-growing and does not require frequent repotting. It should be repotted once it outgrows its current container, which is typically every 3 to 5 years.
Humidity & MistingOakleaf hydrangea prefers moderate to high humidity levels. While specific percentages are not crucial, ensuring a consistently humid environment, similar to its native woodland habitat, would be beneficial for the plant.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Place in bright, indirect light and keep soil consistently moist.
Outdoor
Plant in partial shade with moist, well-draining soil.
Hardiness zone
5-9 USDA
Life cycleOakleaf Hydrangea 'Sike's Dwarf' starts life as a seed, which, once germinated, produces a young seedling with primary leaves. As the seedling matures, it grows into a small shrub with deeply lobed, oak-like leaves, establishing a strong root system. The plant goes through vegetative growth, producing stems and leaves in its first few years, and may not flower until it achieves sufficient maturity. After a few years, the hydrangea begins its reproductive phase, developing large conical flower clusters in the summer that can vary in color from white to pink depending on the soil pH. Post flowering, the blooms may turn a brownish color, and the shrub produces seeds which, when dispersed, have the potential to grow into new plants. The plant then enters a state of dormancy in winter, losing its leaves and conserving energy until the next growing season.
PropogationPropogation time
Late Winter to Early Spring
The Oakleaf Hydrangea 'Sike's Dwarf' is typically propagated through softwood cuttings. To do this, one would take cuttings in late spring or early summer when the new growth is still tender and green but has begun to mature. A 5 to 6 inch cutting with several leaves is snipped just below a leaf node. The lower leaves are removed, and the cut end is dipped in rooting hormone before being placed in a well-draining soil mixture. The cutting should be kept moist but not waterlogged, and in a location with indirect light. To maintain humidity and aid rooting, a plastic bag or cover can be placed over the cutting. Roots usually develop within 4 to 6 weeks, after which the new plant can be transplanted.
