There’s a certain charm to gardens that transition gracefully through the seasons, and a significant plant in this ballet of nature is the amazing oak leaf hydrangea. From its robust summer blooms that start early in the summer to the fiery autumnal hues and even its winter silhouette. This plant keeps on giving and enhances your garden. Let’s dive deep into the fascinating world of oak leaf hydrangeas. Explore their varieties with awesome colors, including the renowned ‘Alice’ and how to care for them during winter and beyond.
Oak Leaf Hydrangea in Winter
While many plants go dormant and fade into the background of a winter landscape, the oak leaf hydrangea keeps on giving even when the cold weather starts to show up. The papery, exfoliating bark and skeletal outlines of the flower panicles give a rustic charm to gardens during colder months. Its burgundy and deep plum foliage provide a stunning contrast against the snow. But the winter isn’t just about beauty for this plant. It is a time of rest and preparation for the magnificence of the next blooming season.
Meet ‘Alice’: The Star Among Stars
Among the various varieties of oak leaf hydrangea, rhe ‘Alice’ stands out for multiple reasons. Known for her grand with elongated white conical flowers, ‘Alice’ boasts some of the largest bloom clusters. As autumn comes her green foliage takes on brilliant shades of red and purple. A robust variety she isn’t just a beauty but also boasts impressive resilience against diseases.
Pruning: Less is More
One of the questions that frequently occurs among gardening enthusiasts is about oak leaf hydrangea pruning. The good news is that this plant is quite low-maintenance and you don’t have to worry about anything. It’s best to prune just after the blooming period, removing any dead wood and shaping the plant. Just be cautious not to over-prune as this hydrangea blooms on old wood, excessive cutting will reduce the next blooms.
A Symphony of Varieties
Beyond the ‘Alice’ version there are many varieties of oak leaf hydrangea you can choose from, each with its unique charm. From the compact ‘Pee Wee hydragea’ to the towering ‘Snow Queen hydragea’, there’s an oak leaf hydrangea to fit every garden’s aesthetic and dimensions requirements.
To wrap things up and go to teh most common questions.
The oak leaf hydrangea is not another ornamental plant, is a performer that brings life to gardens, especially in winter. Whether you’re drawn to the majestic Alice or other varieties know that this plant promises a delightful gardening journey. And with minimal pruning requirements this is a dream for both novice gardeners and seasoned gardners.
How to prune alice oakleaf hydrangea?
When it comes to the beautiful oak leaf hydrangea ‘Alice’ know that pruning is an essential aspect of ensuring its continued health and vibrant shows. If you were thinking about how to rejuvenate your ‘Alice’ know that you’re on the right track.
First and foremost you should remember that ‘Alice’ is a type of oak leaf hydrangea and that means it will bloom on old wood. Therefore, the best time to prune is just after it finishes blooming which is usually in late summer or early fall. This way, you will not risk cutting off next year’s flower buds.
Begin your oak leaf hydrangea pruning session by removing any dead, diseased, or damaged branches. This will not only clean up the plant but will also improve air circulation that can prevent fungal diseases.
For shaping or reducing the oak leaf hydrangea ‘Alice’ you should only remove about a third of the older stems. This helps in rejuvenating the plant and encourages more robust growth. However, be cautious not to over-prune, as too much can reduce the blooms for the next season.
If you find that ‘Alice’ has grown too large for her space just consider a more substantial prune but you should keep in mind to do it over a few years and only remove only one-third of the oldest stems each year.
Where can i buy and oakleaf hydrangea alice?
When you’re looking for an Alice oakleaf hydrangea to plant in your garden, you will want the healthiest plant, right? Garden centers and local nurseries usually stock a variety of hydrangeas and there’s a good chance they’ll have the ‘Alice’ variety, because it’s pretty common. But if you like shopping from the comfort of home know that there are numerous online plant shops that cater to plant lovers. Simply type “Alice oak leaf hydrangea for sale” in your favorite search engine, Google to be more precise and you’ll discover a range of options. If you’re up for a fun day out know that visiting a plant fair or garden show might also lead you to your desired plant.
How to propagate oakleaf hydrangea?
Ever thought about expanding your oakleaf hydrangea? This is just an amazing plant and propagating it isn’t too hard. The best way is to use the softwood cuttings method and to start in early summer:
- Choose a healthy branch that looks fresh and new and cut a 4-6 inch piece. Make sure this piece has several leaves.
- Yous hould remove the leaves from the bottom half of the cutting.
- Dip the cut end into rooting hormone or simply dip it in honey, know that this step’s optional but can help.
- Stick it into a pot with well-draining soil then water it and cover with a plastic bag or dome. This creates a mini greenhouse effect.
- Place the pot in a spot with indirect light.
- In a few weeks try and give a gentle tug and if there’s resistance, roots have likely formed.
- Once rooted you should transplant it to a bigger pot or directly into the garden.
Remember that patience is key, the thing that I lack the most. Not every cutting will root but you shouldn’t get discouraged. Once you get the hang of it you will have a lot of baby oakleaf hydrangeas in no time.