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Oakleaf Hydrangea
Hydrangea quercifolia
This deciduous shrub is a showstopper in a shaded woodland
garden. This plant offers something new in each season–in spring the leaves
emerge and are followed by summer blooms. Large trusses of white flowers age
into a dusty rose, and finally a light tan. They are excellent for use as dried
flowers. Then in the fall, the plant explodes with fall color in shades of red,
purple and orange. This color persists well into winter. Once the leaves
completely fall off, the stems are cinnamon colored, with exfoliating bark as
they age. A must-have for a shade garden, this plant can reach six to seven feet
or more at maturity (although there are dwarf forms available). While the plant
is hardy state wide, it does need supplemental summer watering. It benefits from
the addition of organic matter and makes a good companion plant for azaleas,
hosta and other woodland plants.

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