Oakleaf hydrangea

Hydrangea quercifolia

Flower name
Oakleaf hydrangea
Scientific name
Hydrangea quercifolia
AliasOak-leaved Hydrangea, 柏葉紫陽花, オークリーブドハイドランジア, Snow Flake, Snow Queen, Harmony
Place of originNorth America
Place of floweringGarden, Cut flowers, flower arrangement, Botanical Gardens, Park, Potted flower
Flowering seasonMay, June, July

What is Oakleaf hydrangea

Oakleaf hydrangea or Hydrangea quercifolia (scientific name:Hydrangea quercifolia) is a hardy deciduous shrub belonging to the Hydrangea genus in the Hydrangeaceae family. It is a large variety of the hydrangea, native to North America, and is characterized by its pyramid-shaped (long conical) clusters of white decorative flowers.

The tree height ranges from 100 to 200 cm. The leaves are 10 to 25 cm long, ovate, palmately lobed with five shallow lobes at the apex, serrated, and oppositely arranged on the branches. While the leaves are green during blooming, they turn beautifully red in autumn.

From June to July, the conical inflorescences that extend from the tips of the flower stalks are 15 to 30 cm long and are densely packed with white decorative and bisexual flowers (some varieties lack bisexual flowers). The flowers can be single or double-petaled.

Origin of the Flower Name
The genus name "Hydrangea" is a compound word from "Hydor" (water) + "angeion" (vessel), meaning "water vessel." The specific epithet "quercifolia" is a compound of the Latin words "querci" (European oak) + "folia" (the plural form of folium, leaf), meaning "oak leaf." The inflorescence is similar to that of the Buddleja but is more voluminous, with individual florets resembling those of hydrangeas. The leaves are named after their similarity to the leaves of the Japanese Emperor Oak (Quercus dentata).

Buddleja and Oakleaf Hydrangea
The Oakleaf Hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia) and Buddleja (Buddleja davidii) have similar flower appearances. Let's compare the differences.

Left: Left: Oakleaf Hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia)、right: Buddleja (Buddleja davidii)
Oakleaf Hydrangea has oak-shaped leaves, five-petaled flowers, and primarily white flower color. Buddleja has ovate-lanceolate leaves, cup-shaped flowers, and a wide range of flower colors.

Flower Language
"Energetic woman," "Charming person," "Beauty"

Varieties of Oakleaf Hydrangea
"Snow Queen" - a single-flowered variety with white decorative flowers
"Snow Flake" - a double-flowered variety with white decorative flowers
"Harmony" - consists only of decorative flowers

Common Name: Oakleaf Hydrangea
Scientific Name: Hydrangea quercifolia
Kingdom: Plantae , Division: Angiosperms , Class: Eudicots, Order: Cornales, Family: Hydrangeaceae, Genus: Hydrangea, Species: H. quercifolia
Origin: North America
Growth Type: Hardy deciduous shrub
Tree Height: 100–200 cm
Leaf Shape: Ovate, palmately lobed with five shallow lobes
Leaf Length: 10–25 cm
Leaf Margin: Serrated
Leaf Arrangement: Opposite
Blooming Period: June–July
Inflorescence Height: 15–30 cm
Inflorescence Type: Panicle
Flowers: Decorative and bisexual flowers (some varieties lack bisexual flowers)
Flower Color: White
Flower Types: Single and double
Uses: Potted plant, garden plant